Closed doors: Predictors of stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD during the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The rise in mental health problems in the population directly or indirectly because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major concern. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare independent predictors of symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Brazilians one month after the implementation of measures of social distancing. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed using a web-based survey. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) were the outcomes. Data were gathered regarding demographics, social distancing, economic problems, exposure to the news of the pandemic, psychiatric history, sleep disturbances, traumatic situations, and substance use. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (AUDIT-C) was also administered. The predictors of the symptoms were investigated using hierarchical multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Of a sample of 3587 participants, approximately two-thirds considered that their mental health worsened after the beginning of the social restriction measures. The most important predictors of the symptoms investigated were the intensity of the distress related to the news of the pandemic, younger age, current psychiatric diagnosis, trouble sleeping, emotional abuse or violence, and economic problems. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirmed the hypothesis that the pandemic impacted the mental health of the population and indicated that the level of distress related to the news was the most important predictor of psychological suffering.

Identifying posttraumatic stress disorder staging from clinical and sociodemographic features: a proof-of-concept study using a machine learning approach.

This proof-of-concept study aimed to investigate the viability of a predictive model to support posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) staging. We performed a naturalistic, cross-sectional study at two Brazilian centers: the Psychological Trauma Research and Treatment (NET-Trauma) Program at Universidade Federal of Rio Grande do Sul, and the Program for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD (PROVE), at Universidade Federal of São Paulo. Five supervised machine-learning algorithms were tested: Elastic Net, Gradient Boosting Machine, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and C5.0, using clinical (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale version 5) and sociodemographic features. A hundred and twelve patients were enrolled (61 from NET-Trauma and 51 from PROVE). We found a model with four classes suitable for the PTSD staging, with best performance metrics using the C5.0 algorithm to CAPS-5 15-items plus sociodemographic features, with an accuracy of 65.6% for the train dataset and 52.9% for the test dataset (both significant). The number of symptoms, CAPS-5 total score, global severity score, and presence of current/previous trauma events appear as main features to predict PTSD staging. This is the first study to evaluate staging in PTSD with machine learning algorithms using accessible clinical and sociodemographic features, which may be used in future research.

Relationship between childhood trauma, parental bonding, and defensive styles and psychiatric symptoms in adult life.

INTRODUCTION: A relationship between different types of childhood trauma, parental care, and defensive styles and development of psychiatric symptoms in adulthood is proposed in this study. Understanding the nature of this association is essential to assist psychotherapists who treat patients with a history of past trauma. This study aims to examine the associations between childhood trauma, parental bonding, and defensive styles and current symptoms in adult patients who sought care at an analytical psychotherapy clinic. METHODS: The sample comprised 197 patients from an analytically oriented psychotherapy clinic. Participants responded to four self-report instruments that assessed, respectively, presence and frequency of several types of early trauma, type of parental attachment, styles of defenses, and current symptoms encompassing a wide variety of psychopathological syndromes. RESULTS: Only 5% of patients reported not having experienced any traumatic experience in childhood. Several traumas such as emotional and physical abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect showed positive and significant associations with several dimensions of current symptoms, and also with parental bonding and defensive styles. When analyzed together with the other variables, defensive styles explained the level of psychological suffering caused by the symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers additional support for understanding the associations between childhood trauma, parental bonding styles, and defense styles and the psychiatric symptoms of patients in analytically oriented psychotherapy.

Neuroprogression in post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic review

Abstract Introduction Neuroprogression has been proposed as the pathological rewiring of the brain that takes place in parallel with clinical and neurocognitive deterioration in the course of psychiatric disorders. This study aims to review the biological underpinnings and clinical outcomes related to neuroprogression in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods We performed a systematic review by searching PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for articles published between January 1, 1960, and January 6, 2020. Inclusion criteria were met when articles assessed brain changes, neurocognition, functioning, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotrophins in patients with PTSD. Narrative review articles, case reports, and preclinical studies were excluded. Results A total of 965 abstracts were identified and 15 articles were included in our systematic review. It seems that for a subset of patients whose symptoms worsen or are maintained at a high intensity there is a progressive change in the frontal lobe, especially the prefrontal cortex, and worsening of both neurocognition (verbal memory and facial recognition) and functioning (physical, psychological, social and environmental). Conclusion Although current findings associate progressive reduction in frontal lobe size with neurocognitive impairment, further research is needed to characterize PTSD as a neuroprogressive disorder.

Relationship between childhood trauma, parental bonding, and defensive styles and psychiatric symptoms in adult life

Abstract Introduction A relationship between different types of childhood trauma, parental care, and defensive styles and development of psychiatric symptoms in adulthood is proposed in this study. Understanding the nature of this association is essential to assist psychotherapists who treat patients with a history of past trauma. This study aims to examine the associations between childhood trauma, parental bonding, and defensive styles and current symptoms in adult patients who sought care at an analytical psychotherapy clinic. Methods The sample comprised 197 patients from an analytically oriented psychotherapy clinic. Participants responded to four self-report instruments that assessed, respectively, presence and frequency of several types of early trauma, type of parental attachment, styles of defenses, and current symptoms encompassing a wide variety of psychopathological syndromes. Results Only 5% of patients reported not having experienced any traumatic experience in childhood. Several traumas such as emotional and physical abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect showed positive and significant associations with several dimensions of current symptoms, and also with parental bonding and defensive styles. When analyzed together with the other variables, defensive styles explained the level of psychological suffering caused by the symptoms. Conclusions This study offers additional support for understanding the associations between childhood trauma, parental bonding styles, and defense styles and the psychiatric symptoms of patients in analytically oriented psychotherapy.

Validation of the Brazilian-Portuguese Version of the Clinician Administered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale-5.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to validate CAPS-5 for the Brazilian-Portuguese language on a sample of 128 individuals from two centers (from the cities of São Paulo and Porto Alegre) who have been recently exposed to a traumatic event. Methods: We performed a reliability analysis between interviewers (with a subset of 32 individuals), an internal consistency analysis, and a confirmatory factorial analysis for the validation study. Results: The inter-rater reliability of the total PTSD symptom severity score was high [intraclass correlation coefficient =0.994, 95% CI (0.987-0.997), p < 0.001]. Cohen's Kappa for individual items ranged between 0.759 and 1. Cronbach's alpha coefficients indicated high internal consistency for the CAPS-5 full scale (α = 0.826) and an acceptable level of internal consistency for the four symptom clusters. The confirmatory factorial analysis for the 20-item original CAPS-5 did not fit the data well. A 15-item model with better results was then established by excluding the following CAPS-5 items: dissociative amnesia, recklessness, distorted cognitions, irritability, and hypervigilance. Conclusion: Despite the limitation of the predominance of female victims, and the high number of sexually assaulted women in our sample, the model with only 15 items provided a good fit to the data with high internal consistency (α = 0.835).

COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing: economic, psychological, family, and technological effects

Abstract Introduction The concept of social isolation is currently understood as a measure of epidemiological containment that aims to reduce the speed of spread of the disease, enabling health services to prepare their resources to cope with the likely increase in demand, while also seeking to provide additional protection to groups considered to be at higher risk. Objective The present narrative review aims to compile and synthesize the literature related to social isolation produced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Method This study is a narrative review of the literature on social isolation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results 73 publications were included for full-text reading and were classified into the following categories: levels of social isolation, economic effects, family relationships, health system, mental health of the population, and use of technology. Conclusions It is necessary to plan an escalation of responses to the consequences of the pandemic, especially in view of the increased demand on the health sector and social services. The negative effects of social isolation can be prevented by public policies that offer a response to the economic recession, maintenance of social work, encouragement of quality care in mental health services, and community support for vulnerable families.

COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing: economic, psychological, family, and technological effects.

INTRODUCTION: The concept of social isolation is currently understood as a measure of epidemiological containment that aims to reduce the speed of spread of the disease, enabling health services to prepare their resources to cope with the likely increase in demand, while also seeking to provide additional protection to groups considered to be at higher risk. OBJECTIVE: The present narrative review aims to compile and synthesize the literature related to social isolation produced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. METHOD: This study is a narrative review of the literature on social isolation in the context of the COVID- 19 pandemic. RESULTS: 73 publications were included for full-text reading and were classified into the following categories: levels of social isolation, economic effects, family relationships, health system, mental health of the population, and use of technology. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to plan an escalation of responses to the consequences of the pandemic, especially in view of the increased demand on the health sector and social services. The negative effects of social isolation can be prevented by public policies that offer a response to the economic recession, maintenance of social work, encouragement of quality care in mental health services, and community support for vulnerable families.

Neuroprogression in post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroprogression has been proposed as the pathological rewiring of the brain that takes place in parallel with clinical and neurocognitive deterioration in the course of psychiatric disorders. This study aims to review the biological underpinnings and clinical outcomes related to neuroprogression in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: We performed a systematic review by searching PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for articles published between January 1, 1960, and January 6, 2020. Inclusion criteria were met when articles assessed brain changes, neurocognition, functioning, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotrophins in patients with PTSD. Narrative review articles, case reports, and preclinical studies were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 965 abstracts were identified and 15 articles were included in our systematic review. It seems that for a subset of patients whose symptoms worsen or are maintained at a high intensity there is a progressive change in the frontal lobe, especially the prefrontal cortex, and worsening of both neurocognition (verbal memory and facial recognition) and functioning (physical, psychological, social and environmental). CONCLUSION: Although current findings associate progressive reduction in frontal lobe size with neurocognitive impairment, further research is needed to characterize PTSD as a neuroprogressive disorder.

The association between reflective function and global functionality in patients with borderline personality disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between reflective function and global functionality in borderline personality disorder (BPD) patients, controlling for symptomatology and defensive style. METHOD: Thirty-nine female inpatients were evaluated employing a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Structured Clinical Interview for Personality Disorders-II (SCID-II), the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20), the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ), the Defence Style Questionnaire-40 (DSQ-40) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). RESULTS: Functionality was inversely associated with the reflective function uncertainty score (-.458; p < .01) and neurotic defences (-.335; p < .05). Symptom severity (SRQ-20) was associated with the use of immature defences (-.445; p < .01). The association between functionality and the reflective function uncertainty score remained significant, even when controlled for symptoms and defensive style (p = .002). CONCLUSION: The ability to mentalise seems to play a central and somehow independent role in BPD psychopathology.

Trauma infantil e manifestações histéricas na atualidade: uma revisão da literatura / Child trauma and hysterical manifestations today: a literature review

As reações corporais e emocionais sentidas pelos pacientes com manifestações histéricas podem atingir tamanha intensidade, a ponto de prejudicar sua vida social, familiar e laboral. O trabalho parte dos seguintes questionamentos: como são as manifestações histéricas na atualidade? Qual a compreensão sobre a histeria na literatura da área ao longo do tempo? O objetivo é descrever aspectos teóricos sobre a histeria e o trauma infantil, articulando-os com a clínica atual. Foi desenvolvida uma revisão da literatura por meio do método narrativo. Os resultados encontrados foram 106 estudos nos últimos 6 anos (Bireme e Dialnet), sendo que, de 2017 em diante, houve um decréscimo nas publicações científicas sobre o tema. Apesar de a categoria psicopatológica da histeria ter desaparecido dos manuais de transtornos mentais, na clínica atual as manifestações histéricas são facilmente confundidas com outros transtornos (depressivos, dissociativos e distúrbio borderline). As manifestações somáticas aparecem no corpo para comunicar eventos traumáticos não contidos pelo aparelho psíquico. Conclui-se que as manifestações histéricas seguem presentes nos dias de hoje, e o corpo tende a ser uma via de expressão somática. No contexto da relação entre sintomas histéricos e traumas vivenciados na infância, a psicoterapia ocupa lugar de destaque, promovendo ressignificações para tais eventos traumáticos.(AU)

The bodily and emotional reactions felt by patients with hysterical manifestations can reach such intensity as to harm their social, family and work life, causing several losses for the individual. The study starts from the following questions: how are the hysterical manifestations today? What about understanding hysteria in the literature of the area over time? The objective is to describe theoretical aspects of hysteria and childhood trauma, in conjunction with the current clinic. A literature review using the narrative method was developed. The results found were 106 studies in the last 6 years (Bireme and Dialnet), and as of 2017 there is a decrease in scientific publications on the topic. Although the psychopathological category of hysteria has disappeared from the manuals of mental disorders, nowadays in the clinic the hysterical manifestations are easily confused with other disorders (depressive, dissociative and borderline). Somatic manifestations appear in the body to communicate traumatic events not contained by the psychic apparatus. It is concluded that the hysterical manifestations are still present today, and the body tends to be an important way of expressing symptoms through the somatic path. In the context of the relationship between hysterical symptoms and childhood trauma, psychotherapy occupies a prominent place, promoting reframing for such traumatic events.(AU)

Las reacciones corporales y emocionales que sienten los pacientes con manifestaciones histéricas pueden alcanzar tal intensidad como para dañar su vida social, familiar y laboral, causando varias pérdidas para el individuo. El estudio parte de las siguientes preguntas: ¿Cómo son hoy las manifestaciones histéricas? ¿Cuál es la comprensión de la histeria en la literatura de la zona a lo largo del tiempo? El objetivo es describir aspectos teóricos de la histeria y el trauma infantil, en conjunto con la clínica actual. Se ha elaborado una revisión de la literatura utilizando el método narrativo. Los resultados encontrados fueron 106 estudios en los últimos 6 años (Bireme y Dialnet), y a partir de 2017 hubo una disminución en las publicaciones científicas sobre el tema. Aunque la categoría psicopatológica de histeria ha desaparecido de los manuales de trastornos mentales, hoy en día en la clínica las manifestaciones histéricas se confunden fácilmente con otros trastornos (depresivo, disociativo y borderline). Las manifestaciones somáticas aparecen en el cuerpo para comunicar eventos traumáticos no contenidos por el aparato psíquico. Se concluye que las manifestaciones histéricas todavía están presentes hoy en día, y el cuerpo tiende a ser una forma importante de expresar los síntomas a través de las vías somáticas. En el contexto de la relación entre los síntomas histéricos y el trauma vivido en la infancia, la psicoterapia ocupa un lugar destacado, promoviendo replanteamiento para tales eventos traumáticos.(AU)

The use of machine learning techniques in trauma-related disorders: a systematic review.

Establishing the diagnosis of trauma-related disorders such as Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have always been a challenge in clinical practice and in academic research, due to clinical and biological heterogeneity. Machine learning (ML) techniques can be applied to improve classification of disorders, to predict outcomes or to determine person-specific treatment selection. We aim to review the existing literature on the use of machine learning techniques in the assessment of subjects with ASD or PTSD. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science for articles published in any language up to May 2019. We found 806 abstracts and included 49 studies in our review. Most of the included studies used multiple levels of biological data to predict risk factors or to identify early symptoms related to PTSD. Other studies used ML classification techniques to distinguish individuals with ASD or PTSD from other psychiatric disorder or from trauma-exposed and healthy controls. We also found studies that attempted to define outcome profiles using clustering techniques and studies that assessed the relationship among symptoms using network analysis. Finally, we proposed a quality assessment in this review, evaluating methodological and technical features on machine learning studies. We concluded that etiologic and clinical heterogeneity of ASD/PTSD patients is suitable to machine learning techniques and a major challenge for the future is to use it in clinical practice for the benefit of patients in an individual level.

Trauma-related disorders in a low- to middle-income country: A four-year follow-up of outpatient trauma in Brazil.

Acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are developed from exposure to traumatic events including war, interpersonal violence and natural disasters. We investigated prevalence and trauma-related information in patients from an outpatient psychiatric unit in Brazil among 2014-2017. A prevalence of ASD/PTSD of 40.8% was found in 179 patients. Female, Caucasian, married, mostly educated during 10-12 years long and employed patients composed a main profile. The presence of any previous trauma in adulthood and childhood were related to ASD/PTSD with longer follow-up time. This study provides evidence of stress-related disorders in a heterogeneous environment.

Indicações de tratamento psicoterápico individual no Transtorno de Estresse Pós-Traumático / Indications of individual psychotherapeutic treatment in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

O objetivo deste estudo foi revisar as principais recomendações de tratamento psicoterápico individual em adultos para o Transtorno de Estresse Pós-Traumático (TEPT), permitindo uma melhor avaliação clínica para a adequação do mesmo de acordo com as características do paciente. A revisão foi realizada na base de dados PubMed com estudos de revisão e recomendações reconhecidas internacionalmente. São descritas as abordagens psicoterápicas individuais e seus níveis de evidência. A descrição é complementada com uma avaliação clínica para auxiliar o terapeuta na escolha entre as possíveis intervenções psicoterápicas para o TEPT. Visto que vários tratamentos psicológicos são eficazes para adultos com TEPT, esta revisão pode ser um guia na decisão terapêutica usando parâmetros clínicos e de evidência científica.(AU)

The purpose of the study was to review the main individual psychotherapeutic treatment recommendations for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), aiming a better clinical assessment of its adequacy according to the patient characteristics. The review was conducted on the PubMed database with study reviews and internationally recognized guidelines. We describe the individual psychotherapeutic approaches and their levels of evidence. The description is supplemented by a clinical evaluation to assist the therapist in choosing among the possible psychotherapeutic interventions for PTSD. Since various psychological treatments are effective for adults with PTSD, this review may be a guide to the therapeutic decision using clinical and scientific evidence parameters.(AU)

Risk factors for infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria in non-ventilated patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for the development of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in non-ventilated patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study conducted over a three-year period at a tertiary-care teaching hospital. We included only non-ventilated patients diagnosed with HAP and presenting with positive bacterial cultures. Categorical variables were compared with chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for HAP caused by MDR bacteria. RESULTS: Of the 140 patients diagnosed with HAP, 59 (42.1%) were infected with MDR strains. Among the patients infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and those infected with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, mortality was 45.9% and 50.0%, respectively (p = 0.763). Among the patients infected with MDR and those infected with non-MDR gram-negative bacilli, mortality was 45.8% and 38.3%, respectively (p = 0.527). Univariate analysis identified the following risk factors for infection with MDR bacteria: COPD; congestive heart failure; chronic renal failure; dialysis; urinary catheterization; extrapulmonary infection; and use of antimicrobial therapy within the last 10 days before the diagnosis of HAP. Multivariate analysis showed that the use of antibiotics within the last 10 days before the diagnosis of HAP was the only independent predictor of infection with MDR bacteria (OR = 3.45; 95% CI: 1.56-7.61; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center study, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics within the last 10 days before the diagnosis of HAP was the only independent predictor of infection with MDR bacteria in non-ventilated patients with HAP.

Risk factors for infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria in non-ventilated patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia / Fatores de risco para multirresistência bacteriana em pneumonias adquiridas no hospital não associadas à ventilação mecânica

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for the development of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in non-ventilated patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study conducted over a three-year period at a tertiary-care teaching hospital. We included only non-ventilated patients diagnosed with HAP and presenting with positive bacterial cultures. Categorical variables were compared with chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for HAP caused by MDR bacteria. RESULTS: Of the 140 patients diagnosed with HAP, 59 (42.1%) were infected with MDR strains. Among the patients infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and those infected with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, mortality was 45.9% and 50.0%, respectively (p = 0.763). Among the patients infected with MDR and those infected with non-MDR gram-negative bacilli, mortality was 45.8% and 38.3%, respectively (p = 0.527). Univariate analysis identified the following risk factors for infection with MDR bacteria: COPD; congestive heart failure; chronic renal failure; dialysis; urinary catheterization; extrapulmonary infection; and use of antimicrobial therapy within the last 10 days before the diagnosis of HAP. Multivariate analysis showed that the use of antibiotics within the last 10 days before the diagnosis of HAP was the only independent predictor of infection with MDR bacteria (OR = 3.45; 95% CI: 1.56-7.61; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center study, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics within the last 10 days before the diagnosis of HAP was the only independent predictor of infection with MDR bacteria in non-ventilated patients with HAP. .

OBJETIVO: Identificar fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de pneumonia adquirida no hospital (PAH), não associada à ventilação mecânica e causada por bactérias multirresistentes (MR). MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte observacional retrospectivo, conduzido ao longo de três anos em um hospital universitário terciário. Incluímos apenas pacientes sem ventilação mecânica, com diagnóstico de PAH e com cultura bacteriana positiva. Variáveis categóricas foram comparadas por meio do teste do qui-quadrado. A análise de regressão logística foi usada para determinar os fatores de risco para PAH causada por bactérias MR. RESULTADOS: Dos 140 pacientes diagnosticados com PAH, 59 (42,1%) apresentavam infecção por cepas MR. As taxas de mortalidade nos pacientes com cepas de Staphylococcus aureus resistentes e sensíveis à meticilina, respectivamente, foram de 45,9% e 50,0% (p = 0,763). As taxas de mortalidade nos pacientes com PAH causada por bacilos gram-negativos MR e não MR, respectivamente, foram de 45,8% e 38,3% (p = 0,527). Na análise univariada, os fatores associados com cepas MR foram DPOC, insuficiência cardíaca crônica, insuficiência renal crônica, diálise, cateterismo urinário, infecções extrapulmonares e uso de antimicrobianos nos 10 dias anteriores ao diagnóstico de PAH. Na análise multivariada, o uso de antimicrobianos nos 10 dias anteriores ao diagnóstico foi o único fator preditor independente de cepas MR (OR = 3,45; IC95%: 1,56-7,61; p = 0,002). CONCLUSÕES: Neste estudo unicêntrico, o uso de antimicrobianos de largo espectro 10 dias antes do diagnóstico de PAH foi o único preditor independente da presença de bactérias MR em pacientes ...

Biomarkers in community-acquired pneumonia: a state-of-the-art review.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) exhibits mortality rates, between 20% and 50% in severe cases. Biomarkers are useful tools for searching for antibiotic therapy modifications and for CAP diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up treatment. This non-systematic state-of-the-art review presents the biological and clinical features of biomarkers in CAP patients, including procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, copeptin, pro-ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide), adrenomedullin, cortisol and D-dimers.

Biomarkers in community-acquired pneumonia: A state-of-the-art review

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) exhibits mortality rates, between 20% and 50% in severe cases. Biomarkers are useful tools for searching for antibiotic therapy modifications and for CAP diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up treatment. This non-systematic state-of-the-art review presents the biological and clinical features of biomarkers in CAP patients, including procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, copeptin, pro-ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide), adrenomedullin, cortisol and D-dimers.

Prevalência e seguimento de exame citopatológico de colo uterino com atipias em células escamosas de origem indeterminada em um hospital universitário brasileiro / Prevalence and follow-up of pap smear with atypical squamous cells of undetermined origin at a teaching hospital in Brazil

Introdução: O câncer cervical é uma neoplasia maligna com possibilidade de prevenção.Rastreamento adequado pode reduzir morbimortalidade.Objetivo: Verificar a evolução clínica em pacientes com citopatológico de colo uterino com atipias em células escamosas de origem indeterminada (ASC-US ).Método: Coorte retrospectiva em pacientes com ASC-US do Ambulatório de Ginecologia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Acompanhamento por 3 anos e seguimento com citologia e/ou histologia. Análise: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (dados descritivos e associações). Variáveis quantitativas com distribuição simétrica: média e desvio-padrão. Variáveis qualitativas: percentuais; aprovação do Grupo de Pesquisa ePós-graduação do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (07-286).Resultados: Amostra de 320 casos. Média de idade das pacientes: 41,3 anos. Não houve associação com tabagismo e ASC-US , lesão intraepitelial escamosa de baixo grau (LSIL) ou lesão intraepitelial escamosa de alto grau (HSIL) (22,8 versus 20,5%; odds ratio = 0,87; intervalo de confiança de 95% 0,38-1,99; p=0,751). Das pacientes com ASC-US , 87,2% fizeram colposcopia imediata; 104 resultaram em alterações menores e quatro em maiores à colposcopia, embora 85 pacientes tenham realizado biópsias.A histologia mostrou: 7,5% de neoplasia intraepitelial 1; 2,1%, neoplasia intraepitelial 2/3; e 0,9%, carcinoma. Um total de 12,5% fez algum tipo de tratamento cirúrgico,sendo este excisão eletrocirúrgica com alça até histerectomia.

Ao final do estudo, 77,5% tiveram citopatológico normal como desfecho; 20,3% tiveram ASC-US persistente ouLSIL; 1,3%, HSIL; e 0,9%, carcinoma.Conclusões: O percentual de citopatológicos com ASC-US era esperado e foi adequado.A maioria dos exames teve um acompanhamento citológico normal, mas tivemos um número muito elevado de biópsias em pacientes com colposcopias com alterações menores. A taxa de evolução para lesões de alto grau e câncer não foi desprezível,alertando para necessidade de acompanhamento na presença de ASC-US.

Background: Cervical cancer is a preventable malignant neoplasia. Adequate screening may reduce mortality and morbidity.Aims: To investigate the clinical outcome in patients with pap smears showing atypical squamous cells of undetermined origin (ASC-US ).Methods: Retrospective cohort study involving patients with ASC-US seen at the GynecologyOutpatient Clinic of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Three-year follow-up and monitoring based on cytological or histological tests. Analysis: Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (descriptive data and associations). Quantitative variables with symmetric distribution: mean and standard deviation. Qualitative variables: percentage; approval of the Research and Graduate Study Program of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (07-286).Results: Our sample included 320 cases. Patients’ mean age: 41.3 years. There was no association with smoking and ASC-US , low squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), or high squamous intraepitheliallesion (HSIL) (22.8 versus 20.5%, odds ratio = 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.38-1.99, p = 0.751).Of the patients with ASC-US , 87.2% had immediate colposcopy, 104 had minor changes and four had major changes on colposcopy, although 85 patients underwent biopsies. Histology showed:7.5% of intraepithelial neoplasia 1; 2.1% of intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3; and 0.9% of carcinoma.A total of 12.5% patients underwent surgical treatment consisting of loop electrosurgical excision procedure followed by hysterectomy. At the end of the study, 77.5% had normal pap smear; 20.3% had persistent ASC-US or LSIL; 1.3% had HSIL; and 0.9% had carcinoma.Conclusions: The percentage of pap smears with ASC-US was expected and adequate. Most tests had normal results during the follow-up, but there was a very large number of biopsies in patients with minor changes on colposcopy. The rate of progression to high-grade lesions and cancer was not negligible, prompting the need for monitoring the presence of ASC-US.