Nutritional Prognosis of Patients Submitted to Radiotherapy and Its Implications in Treatment.

Oncological patients show intense catabolic activity, as well as a susceptibility to higher nutritional risk and clinical complications. Thus, tools are used for monitoring prognosis. Our objective was to analyze the nutrition prognosis of patients who underwent radiotherapy, correlating it with outcomes and complications. We performed a retrospective transversal study based on secondary data from hospital records of patients who started radiotherapy between July 2022 and July 2023. We established Prognostic Scores through a combination of Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and a Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), assessed at the beginning and end of treatment. Score 3 patients, with PNI ≤ 45.56 and an SGA outcome of malnutrition, initially presented a higher occurrence of odynophagia, later also being indicative of reduced diet volume, treatment interruption, and dysphagia. SGA alone showed sensitivity to altered diet volume, dysphagia, and xerostomia in the second assessment. Besides this, PNI ≤ 45.56 also indicated the use of alternative feeding routes, treatment interruption, and hospital discharge with more complications. We conclude that the scores could be used to indicate complications; however, further studies on combined biomarkers are necessary.

Space-time risk cluster and time trends of congenital syphilis in Brazil: an ecological study.

BACKGROUND: Congenital syphilis (CS) is a problem of great concern for public health, especially in Brazil. The aim of this study was to analyse the time trends and the space-time dynamics of morbidity and mortality from CS in Brazil. METHODS: An ecological and time series study, which included all cases and deaths from CS recorded in a national Brazilian database from 2013 to 2019 was performed. Time trends in CS incidence and mortality were assessed using segmented linear regression. Univariate global and local Moran indices and space-time scan statistics were used in the space and space-time analyses. RESULTS: A total of 183 171 cases and 2401 deaths from CS were recorded in Brazil, with the highest number of cases being observed in the Southeast Region (n=82 612 [45.1%]). Only 21.1% of pregnant mothers with syphilis received adequate treatment. There was an upward trend in CS rates among mothers ages 20-29 y (average annual percent change [AAPC] 1.4 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.0 to 1.7]) and with <8 y of schooling (AAPC 6.6 [95% CI 5.3 to 7.9]). The primary space-time cluster involved 338 municipalities in the Southeast Region (relative risk 3.06, p<0.001) and occurred between 2017 and 2019. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce the trends in CS rates, it is necessary to develop actions to improve the quality of prenatal care and expand early diagnosis and adequate treatment of syphilis in pregnant women and their sexual partners, especially in groups with upward trends (mothers ages 20-29 y and <8 y of schooling) and living in higher-risk regions (Southeast, North and Northeast).

Risk Stratification and Factors Associated with Abandonment of Tuberculosis Treatment in a Secondary Referral Unit.

PURPOSE: To study the factors associated with the risk of discontinuing active tuberculosis treatment among patients in an outpatient referral unit and to analyze the association between patients' abandonment risk score and their odds of discontinuing the treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cohort study, tuberculosis patients were prospectively followed up from June 2012 through July 2019 at a secondary tuberculosis referral unit in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. At initial consultation, patients were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire and were assigned a score for the risk of treatment abandonment by the nurse. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-eight patients were included in the study, of which 65.0% (96/148) were male. Their mean age was 43.3 ± 14.8 years (range: 18-89 years). Smoking, drug use, repeated admissions, and a high abandonment risk score were the variables associated with the highest risk of discontinuing the treatment. The rate of tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection was 37.2%. The overall rate of global treatment abandonment was 10.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.1-16.2). Upon stratification of patients that abandoned by the risk score, 22.9% (8/35) of the ones that abandoned had a high risk, 10.9% (6/55) had an intermediate risk, and 3.5% (2/58) had a low risk of treatment abandonment. In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with abandoning the treatment were smoking [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.91 (95% CI: 1.08, 22.32)] and undergoing retreatment (aOR) = 3.66 (95% CI: 1.04, 12 88). CONCLUSION: Smoking and undergoing retreatment were independent risk factors for tuberculosis treatment abandonment in this center. Risk stratification can help prioritize the strengthening of treatment adherence among patients at higher risk of abandoning treatment in referral units.

[Institutionalizing evidence-based policies in BrazilInstitucionalización de las políticas informadas por evidencia]. / Institucionalização das políticas informadas por evidências no Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate capacities, organizational arrangements, and barriers to the implementation of Evidence Centers (NEvs) as part of Brazil's Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet). METHOD: A mixed methods descriptive-analytical, multiple-case exploratory study was performed. Coordinators of active NEvs answered a questionnaire in three parts: participant characteristics, assessment of the capacity to "acquire, assess, adapt, and apply" evidence (4A), and open questions addressing organizational arrangements and barriers to the implementation of NEvs. RESULTS: The study included 15 NEvs, mostly from the Midwest; 73.3% were based in universities, while 20% were installed in state/city health departments or in the Ministry of Health. All coordinators had completed graduate training and 80% reported 1 to 5 years' experience with evidence-based policies as well as proficiency in English. None of the participants worked exclusively as NEv coordinator. NEv teams included health care professionals, students (undergraduate/graduate), professors, and civil servants from health departments. The data revealed high capacity to "acquire" and "assess" evidence, and low capacity to "adapt" and "apply" evidence. On average, three activities or products were developed yearly by each NEv, especially knowledge translation initiatives (systematic reviews and deliberative dialogues) and training for health care professionals, managers and undergraduate/graduate students. Five barrier categories were described: 1) financing, 2) network integration, 3) institutionalization of demands, 4) adaptive capacity, and 5) research communication skills to recommend actions at the local level. CONCLUSIONS: Trained human resources associated with academic and research institutions are available to support evidence-informed policies. However, the sustainability of NEvs depends on coordinated action to ensure the capacity to adapt and apply evidence.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la capacidad, los arreglos organizativos y los obstáculos existentes para la aplicación de los núcleos de evidencia (NEv) de la Red de Políticas Informadas por Evidencia (EVIPNet) en Brasil. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, analítico y exploratorio de casos múltiples, con un enfoque mixto. Los coordinadores de los NEv activos en el país respondieron a un instrumento dividido en tres partes: caracterización de la persona encuestada, evaluación de la capacidad de "adquirir, evaluar, adaptar y aplicar" evidencia (conocidas como 4A por su sigla en portugués) y temas de discusión abierta en los cuales se abordaron los arreglos organizativos y los obstáculos existentes para la aplicación de los NEv. RESULTADOS: Participaron en la investigación 5 NEv concentrados en la región Centro-Oeste; 73,3% tenían su sede en universidades y un 20% en secretarías estatales/municipales o en el Ministerio de Salud. Todos los coordinadores participantes tenían título de posgrado en sentido amplio o estricto y 80% afirmaron que tenían experiencia de 1 a 5 años en políticas informadas por evidencia (PIE) y que dominaban el inglés. Ningún coordinador trabajaba exclusivamente en el NEv. Los equipos incluían profesionales de salud, estudiantes (de grado/posgrado), profesores universitarios y empleados en comisión de servicio en las secretarías de salud. Se determinó que tenían gran capacidad para "adquirir" y "evaluar" y poca capacidad para "adaptar" y "aplicar" evidencias. En cuanto a actividades y productos, prevaleció la media de tres al año, con hincapié en los productos de traducción del conocimiento (la síntesis de la evidencia y los diálogos deliberantes) y la capacitación para profesionales de salud, gestores y alumnos de grado/posgrado. Se describieron cinco clases de obstáculos: 1) financiamiento, 2) integración de la red, 3) institucionalización de las demandas, 4) capacidad de adaptación y 5) habilidades de comunicación de las investigaciones para recomendar la adopción de medidas en el nivel local. CONCLUSIONES: Existen recursos humanos capacitados, vinculados a instituciones de investigación y enseñanza, para apoyar las PIE. Sin embargo, la sostenibilidad de los NEv depende de la adopción de medidas coordinadas para garantizar que existe la capacidad de adaptar y aplicar evidencia.

Anti-annexin V autoantibodies and vascular abnormalities in systemic sclerosis: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Annexins are a group of conserved proteins which exert several regulatory functions on various cellular activities. Increased frequency and levels of antibodies against annexin V have already been observed in several autoimmune diseases including systemic sclerosis (SSc), but their role as a vascular biomarker is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels and the dynamical behavior of anti-annexin V antibodies over a 24 months follow-up in patients with SSc. METHODS: In this bicentric cross-sectional study, 70 patients with SSc were consecutively selected from March 2016 to April 2017. Demographic and clinical features, including the presence of active DUs, were collected. Serum anti-annexin V IgG and IgM antibodies were measured at baseline and after 6, 12 and 24 months of follow-up. Videocapillaroscopy was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Among the 70 SSc patients included anti-annexin V IgG was found in 11 patients (15.7%) (range of 15.88-39.48 U/mL) and anti-annexin V IgM in 10 patients (14.3%) (range of 14.16-22.69 U/mL) at baseline. During follow-up, the number of patients who were positive for anti-annexin V IgG and IgM remained stable over 24 months. Among the patients with positive anti-annexin V IgG at baseline the frequency of patients with necrosis or amputation of extremities, forced vital capacity less than 70% and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was significantly higher than in patients with negative anti-annexin V IgG antibodies. Patients with anti-annexin V IgG had also a higher Raynaud's Condition Score and a higher Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) than patients without these antibodies at baseline. Patients with positive anti-annexin V IgM at baseline presented a higher frequency of PAH, compared to those with negative anti-annexin V IgM at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-annexin V antibodies are stable and do not change their positivity during a 24 month follow-up in SSc patients. Anti-annexin V IgG was associated with more severe interstitial lung involvement and digital microangiopathy, and patients with anti-annexin V IgG or IgM had a higher occurrence of PAH indicating an association of these biomarker with more severe disease.

Impact of continuing education on maternal and child health indicators.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether the presence of care workers who completed a specialization course on family health was associated with improved care and maternal and child health indicators in municipalities in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: Negative binomial regression models with fixed effects were used for the 79 municipalities in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, with repeated observations for the period 2009-2015. For our reference, the parameter "number of professionals who completed the course" calculated the proportion of professionals who completed the course, and was divided by the total number of primary health care professionals in the municipality to create a ratio. The cutoff points used represented tertile distribution: T3: high (0.35-1.00), T2: intermediate (0.02-0.33) and T1: low (0.00-0.01); to avoid biased results, the analysis was also performed for the years prior to the beginning of the course in question (2009 and 2010). RESULTS: During the study period, enrollment of pregnant women, exclusive breastfeeding for children under 4 months, and up-to-date vaccinations in children younger than 1 year to 23 months increased (high to intermediate categories) in municipalities where professionals who completed the specialization course worked. Growth in the intermediate ratio was also observed in indicators related to cervical cancer screening and new diagnoses of congenital syphilis in infants under one year of age. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of care workers who completed a specialization course on family health was seen to be associated with improved care and indicators for maternal and child health in municipalities in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. These findings reaffirm the importance and effectiveness of policies on training and continuing education for the Brazilian Unified Health System.

Risk of digital ulcers occurrence in systemic sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Digital ulcers (DUs) represent a frequent complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical, serological and capillaroscopy features that are associated with DUs in patients with SSc. METHODS: In this bicentric cross-sectional study, 70 patients with SSc were consecutively selected from March 2016 to April 2017. Demographic and clinical features, including the presence of active DUs, were collected. Videocapillaroscopy was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Among the 70 patients included (mean age of 46.8 years, mean disease duration of 9.41 years), 14 (20%) had active DUs. Based on multivariate analysis, the presence of anti-Scl-70 antibodies, the HAQ-DI score, and the capillary loss score were independently associated with DUs with odds ratios of 7.96 (95% CI 1.32-47.99), 55.77 (95% CI 1.76-1764.28), and 16.66 (95% CI 2.07-133.81), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of avascular areas in capillaroscopy, elevation of HAQ-DI score and anti-Scl-70 antibodies were independent factors associated with DUs in patients with SSc.

Impact of distance education on primary health care indicators in central Brazil: An ecological study with time trend analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to verify whether the inclusion of professionals who completed a specialized distance learning course in family health teams is associated with rates of hospitalization for primary healthcare-sensitive conditions and better monitoring of chronic conditions in municipalities within the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: Negative binomial regression models with fixed effects were used for the 79 municipalities in the state, with repeated observations for the selected years (2009-2015). For our reference, the parameter "Municipality Ratio" was the number of professionals who completed the course divided by the total number of PHC professionals in the municipality. This ratio has been cumulative over the years. No reference values were found in the scientific literature, so three cutoff points were used for tertile distribution: T3:high (0.35-1.00), T2:intermediate (0.02-0.33), and T1:Low (0.00-0.01). In order to avoid capturing biased results, the analysis was also performed for the years before the specialization course was offered (2009 and 2010). RESULTS: Indicators of the share of hospitalizations for primary care-sensitive conditions (overall rate and specific rates for asthma, gastroenteritis, and heart failure) decreased during the study period when related to a high and intermediate proportion of professionals who completed the specialization course, and the same was seen for indicators of chronic conditions (diabetic and hypertensive patients) who were registered, monitored and group care. CONCLUSION: The specialization course impacted important indicators related to the attributions of primary health care professionals, considering that decreases in hospitalizations for primary care sensitive causes (overall rate of sensitive causes, specific rates for asthma, gastroenteritis and heart failure) were seen in the territories where professionals who completed this course worked, along with increased registration and monitoring of diabetic and hypertensive patients.

Screening for cervical cancer in imprisoned women in Brazil.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Incarcerated women are more vulnerable to developing cervical cancer than women in general; therefore, screening and intervention programs must be included in their healthcare provision. We therefore aimed to investigate the state of cervical cancer screening for imprisoned women in Mato Grosso do Sul, and to analyze the interventions geared toward the control of cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with analysis of primary and secondary data. Interviews were held with 510 women in seven prisons in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The data for 352 medical records were analyzed statistically with the significance level set at 5%. Associations were assessed by the chi-squared test, adjusted by the Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: Most female prisoners had limited education, used tobacco, and had key risk factors for the development of cervical cancer. Half of the women interviewed (n = 255) stated that they had received a Papanicolaou (Pap) test in prison, but 134 (52.5%) of these did not know the result. Of those who had not received a Pap test, 149 (58.4%) stated that this was because of a lack of opportunity. There was no information regarding the provision of Pap tests or subsequent treatment in the medical records of 211 (59.9%) women. No protocols were in place for the provision of Pap tests in prison. There were statistical differences between prisons in terms of test frequency, the information provided to women, and how information was recorded in medical records. CONCLUSION: The screening of cervical cancer in prisons is neither systematic nor regular, and the results are not communicated to women in a significant number of cases. It is necessary to organize health services within the prison environment, ensuring that tests are done and that there is investigation for human papillomavirus. This could increase the diagnosis of cervical cancer at less advanced stages of the disease.

Effects of GABAa receptor antagonists on motor behavior in pharmacological Parkinson's disease model in mice.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)a receptor antagonists on motor behavioral tasks in a pharmacological model of Parkinson disease (PD) in rodents. Ninety-six Swiss mice received intraperitoneal injection of Haloperidol (1 mg/kg) to block dopaminergic receptors. GABAa receptors antagonists Bicuculline (1 and 5 mg/kg) and Flumazenil (3 and 6 mg/kg) were used for the assessment of the interaction among these neurotransmitters, in this PD model. The motor behavior of the animals was evaluated in the catalepsy test (30, 60, and 90 min after drugs application), through open field test (after 60 min) and trough functional gait assessment (after 60 min). Both Bicuculline and Flumazenil were able to partially reverse catalepsy induced by Haloperidol. In the open field test, Haloperidol reduced the number of horizontal and vertical exploration of the animals, which was not reversed trough application of GABAa antagonists. Furthermore, the functional gait assessment was not sensitive enough to detect motor changes in this animal model of PD. There is an interaction between dopamine and GABA in the basal ganglia and the blocking GABAa receptors may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of PD.

Anxiolytic-like effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in rats exposed and re-exposed to the elevated plus-maze and open field tests.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), an endogenous gaseous mediator, modulates many physiological functions in mammals but evidence of its involvement in emotional and behavioral aspects is currently scarce. We hypothesized that this gas plays a modulatory role in behavioral parameters in rats submitted to tests (for 5min) in the open field (OF) and elevated plus-maze (EPM - test and retest). Male Wistar rats (200-250g) were intraperitoneally injected with saline or Na2S (a H2S donor; 4, 8 and 12mg/kg) either once or for 8days, and submitted to the OF test or to the EPM test and retest. A third group (naïve) was not injected but exposed to the same experimental protocols. In the OF test, Na2S injected for 8days caused a decrease in self-cleaning (4, 8 and 12mg/kg) and freezing behaviors (8 and 12mg/kg), and a rise in the rate of line crossings in the central part of the arena (12mg/kg). In the EPM test and retest, Na2S at 12mg/kg for 8days caused an increase in the number of open arm entries and in the percentage of time spent on open arms. Our data are consistent with the notion that H2S exerts anxiolytic-like effects in rats submitted to the EPM and OF tests. Moreover, this gaseous modulator reduces aversive learning in the EPM retest.

Profile of the obese patients submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass whithout diabetes melittus type 2 remission and/or insufficient weight loss.

BACKGROUND: The literature reports that gastrojejunal derivation with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is highly efficient in controlling weight and resolving; but studies have shown worsened glycemic control in a considerable number of patients and associated factors that have not been fully elucidated. AIM: To analyze the profile of patients submitted to gastric bypass that did not achieve satisfactory weight loss or complete diabetes remission. METHODS: Case-control study of 32 patients submitted to gastric bypass with at least two years postoperative time, unsatisfactory results in terms of weight loss or absence of complete diabetes remission. The control group was composed of another 32 patients submitted to the same operation at the same facility, matched for age and postoperative time. A structured questionnaire was applied and clinical and laboratory data were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the cases and controls, BMI was 38.9 kg/m² and 29.5 kg/m2, excess weight loss was 56.1% and 77.2%, % excess weight regain of initial excess weight loss, was 20.2% and 7.7%, respectively. Family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and food intolerance showed a significant relationship between cases and controls. CONCLUSION: Food intolerance and family history of hypertension and diabetes were associated to lower loss and weight regain or less likelihood of complete diabetes remission after gastric bypass.

The burden and quality of life of caregivers of sickle cell anemia patients taking hydroxyurea versus those not taking hydroxyurea.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the burden and quality of life of caregivers of patients with sickle cell anemia taking hydroxyurea versus those of patients not taking hydroxyurea. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed of caregivers of outpatients with sickle cell anemia in two public hospitals in Campo Grande, MS, from January through June 2010. The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Scale and the Caregiver Burden Scale were used. RESULTS: Of the 37 caregivers in this study, 81.1% were women, 73.0% were mothers, 59.5% were married, 54.1%were mulattos, 48.6% were housewives, 54.1% had family incomes of up to one minimum wage and 75.7% had onlycompleted elementary education. The mean duration of care provided (time after diagnosis) was 16.08 ± 9.88 yearsand 89.2% reported that they provided 24-hour care. Regarding health, 27.0% of study participants reported having physical and 13.5% emotional problems. There were no significant relationships between these variables either with the different domains or the total score of the WHOQOL-BREF comparing caregivers of patients taking hydroxyurea versusthose of patients not taking hydroxyurea. There was a moderate negative linear correlation between the WHOQOL-BREF and the Caregiver Burden Scale scores (linear correlation test of Pearson: p-value = 0.003, r = -0.477). The burden of caregivers of patients who did not take hydroxyurea was significantly higher than those of patients who took the medication in terms of general tension, disappointment, environment and total score (student t-test: p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the perception of the caregiver, looking after sickle cell anemia patients represents a moderate negative burden.

Characteristics of HIV-positive patients infected by vertical transmission, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil, 1993-2009.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of the authors was to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of all HIV-positive children and adolescents infected by vertical transmission. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study was conducted that included all HIV-positive patients infected by vertical transmission who attended the referral services of the municipality of Campo Grande from 1993 to 2009, and who used antiretrovirals (ARV). The data were collected from medical records after local institutional review board approval. RESULTS: 78 patients were included, and almost half of the living patients (75) in 2009 were 11-15 years of age. The average age at diagnosis was 38.8 months, treatment was most often initiated from 12 to 35 months of age, and HAART was the most common treatment. Most patients (51.3%) were hospitalised between one and five times, and the first regimen was not associated with hospitalisation (p=0.2). The majority of patients did not exhibit virological suppression at the last examination, and genotyping revealed the presence of resistance mutations. Failure of therapy was often the result of non-adherence to therapy. Five patients died, and the causes of death were pneumonia, sepsis, cerebral cryptococcosis and myocarditis. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the availability of drugs and appropriate laboratory tests, a significant number of paediatric patients were failing ARV therapy due to non-adherence. Further interventions to enhance adherence in this population are needed.