Trend of incompleteness of maternal schooling and race/skin color variables held on the Brazilian Live Birth Information System, 2012-2020.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the trend of incompleteness of the maternal schooling and race/skin color variables held on the Brazilian Live Birth Information System (SINASC) between 2012 and 2020. METHODS: this was an ecological time series study of the incompleteness of maternal schooling and race/skin color data for Brazil, its regions and Federative Units, by means of joinpoint regression and calculation of annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change. RESULTS: a total of 26,112,301 births were registered in Brazil in the period; incompleteness of maternal schooling data decreased for Brazil (APC = -8.1%) and the Southeast (APC = -19.5%) and Midwest (APC = -17.6%) regions; as for race/skin color, there was a downward trend for Brazil (APC = -8.2%) and all regions, except the Northeast region, while nine Federative Units and the Federal District showed a stationary trend. CONCLUSION: there was an improvement in filling out these variables on the SINASC, but with regional disparities, mainly for race/skin color.

Brazilian Maternal and Child Nutrition Consortium: establishment, data harmonization and basic characteristics.

Pooled data analysis in the field of maternal and child nutrition rarely incorporates data from low- and middle-income countries and existing studies lack a description of the methods used to harmonize the data and to assess heterogeneity. We describe the creation of the Brazilian Maternal and Child Nutrition Consortium dataset, from multiple pooled longitudinal studies, having gestational weight gain (GWG) as an example. Investigators of the eligible studies published from 1990 to 2018 were invited to participate. We conducted consistency analysis, identified outliers, and assessed heterogeneity for GWG. Outliers identification considered the longitudinal nature of the data. Heterogeneity was performed adjusting multilevel models. We identified 68 studies and invited 59 for this initiative. Data from 29 studies were received, 21 were retained for analysis, resulting in a final sample of 17,344 women with 72,616 weight measurements. Fewer than 1% of all weight measurements were flagged as outliers. Women with pre-pregnancy obesity had lower values for GWG throughout pregnancy. GWG, birth length and weight were similar across the studies and remarkably similar to a Brazilian nationwide study. Pooled data analyses can increase the potential of addressing important questions regarding maternal and child health, especially in countries where research investment is limited.

Undisclosed Conflict of Interest Is Prevalent in Spine Literature.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the rate of accurate conflict of interest (COI) disclosure within three prominent subspecialty Spine journals during a 4-year period. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Industry-physician relationships are crucial for technological advancement in spine surgery but serve as a source of bias in biomedical research. The Open Payments Database (OPD) was established after 2010 to increase financial transparency. METHODS: All research articles published from 2014 to 2017 in Spine, The Spine Journal (TSJ), and the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine (JNS) were reviewed in this study. In these articles, all author's COI statements were recorded. The OPD was queried for all author entries within the disclose period of the journal. Discrepancies between the author's self-reported COIs and the documented COIs from OPD were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 6816 articles meeting inclusion criteria between 2014 and 2017 in Spine, TSJ, and JNS with 39,869 contributing authors. Overall, 15.8% of all authors were found to have an OPD financial relationship. Of 2633 authors in Spine with financial disclosures, 77.1% had accurate financial disclosures; 42.5% and 41.0% of authors with financial relationships in the OPD had accurate financial disclosures in TSJ and JNS, respectively. The total value of undisclosed conflicts of interest between 2014 and 2017 was $421 million with $1.48 billion in accurate disclosures. Of undisclosed payments, 68.7% were <$1000 and only 7.2% were >$10,000. Undisclosed payments included $180 million in research funding and $188 million in royalties. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that undisclosed COI is highly prevalent for authors in major Spine journals. This study indicates that there remains a need to standardize definitions and financial thresholds for significant COI as well as to shift the reporting burden for COI to journals who actively review potential COIs instead of relying on self-reporting. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Analysis of the application of a deterministic routine for identifying multiple pregnancies on SINASC, Brazil. / Análise da aplicação de uma rotina determinística para a identificação de gestações múltiplas no Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the application of a deterministic routine for identifying multiple pregnancies on the Brazilian Live Birth Information System (SINASC). METHODS: SINASC data deduplication and linkage with the mortality database (fetal deaths) for Rio de Janeiro state for the period 2007-2008; we used a deterministic routine, using a key based on SINASC maternal and birth information, complemented by manual review. RESULTS: of the 433,874 SINASC records, 9,036 (2.1%) were classified as multiple pregnancy newborns; after implementing the routine, we reclassified 385 records as twins, and 286 as singletons; accuracy of multiple pregnancy information on the SINASC database was high (sensitivity=95.8%; specificity=99.9%); applying the routine without the manual review process increased sensitivity by 4.2%, with no significant change of specificity. CONCLUSION: despite the accuracy of information regarding multiple pregnancy held on SINASC, we suggest the use of this routine as an option for improving classification of twins.

Database of the alumni performance of the Ophthalmology Stricto sensu Postgraduate Program at Escola Paulista de Medicina, UNIFESP.

PURPOSE: To develop a database with social, demographic and professional information of all graduates of the two post-graduate programs in Ophthalmology of EPM-UNIFESP, including their opinions on quality, application, and contribution of the courses received in their professional careers. METHODS: The survey was conducted in the digital and physical archives of the University and by telephone contact. When the graduates' e-mails were all collected, the electronic questionnaire was applied. The responses were compiled. Descriptive analysis of the results obtained in this cross-sectional study was performed, and analyzed by the authors and by statistical professionals, through Excel graphs. RESULTS: The database suggests that most graduates were born and work in the state of São Paulo. A significant fraction of 66.77% is dedicated to academic work, but only 36.2% hold management positions. Most of them receive amounts of one to 56 minimum wages monthly. The main motivation was to improve their professional careers. CONCLUSION: For post-graduate programs, a database with information of its graduates can elucidate whether the goals were achieved based on the proposed teaching, as well as can generate reflections to improve the quality, the courses expectations and the vision that students have of the University.

Database of the alumni performance of the Ophthalmology Stricto sensu Postgraduate Program at Escola Paulista de Medicina, UNIFESP

Abstract Purpose To develop a database with social, demographic and professional information of all graduates of the two post-graduate programs in Ophthalmology of EPM-UNIFESP, including their opinions on quality, application, and contribution of the courses received in their professional careers. Methods The survey was conducted in the digital and physical archives of the University and by telephone contact. When the graduates' e-mails were all collected, the electronic questionnaire was applied. The responses were compiled. Descriptive analysis of the results obtained in this cross-sectional study was performed, and analyzed by the authors and by statistical professionals, through Excel graphs. Results The database suggests that most graduates were born and work in the state of São Paulo. A significant fraction of 66.77% is dedicated to academic work, but only 36.2% hold management positions. Most of them receive amounts of one to 56 minimum wages monthly. The main motivation was to improve their professional careers. Conclusion For post-graduate programs, a database with information of its graduates can elucidate whether the goals were achieved based on the proposed teaching, as well as can generate reflections to improve the quality, the courses expectations and the vision that students have of the University.

Quality assessment of clinical practice guidelines for chronic kidney disease: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are being developed and implemented in order to improve clinical practice related to the detection and treatment of CKD. The objective of our study was to evaluate the quality of CPGs regarding the CKD and to examine whether there are factors which influence their quality. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted to identify all CPGs regarding the early diagnosis and treatment of CKD. The CPGs quality were evaluated by three reviewers using the AGREE II instrument to decide if the guidelines are recommended for their use in clinical practice. RESULTS: In total, 13 CPGs were identified: five from America, six from Europe, one from Asia, and one from Oceania. Five CPGs were recommended for their use in clinical practice; since all their domains achieved the medium or high category. Furthermore, six CPGs were recommended with modifications, as the stakeholders' involvement, applicability, and editorial independence domains were evaluated as low category. These domains, as well as the rigor of the development domain, reached the very low category in those CPGs that were not recommended for its use in clinical practice. In all CPGs, the domains with the lowest average were the stakeholder involvement and the applicability. When comparing the domains of the CPGs according to the origin, type of developer group, the checklist used during the development and the publication period, a significantly higher average in the domain stakeholder involvement was found in the CPGs from Asia and Oceania compared to the ones in Latin America. Additionally, a significantly higher average in the applicability domain was found in the CPGs developed by CPGs developer organizations compared to those developed by medical societies. CONCLUSIONS: In total, 85% of the CPGs regarding CKD were recommended or recommended with modifications. The stakeholder involvement and applicability domains are assessed in the low category, which might affect the CPGs implementation. In order to save resources in low- and middle-income countries, an adaptation of the recommended CPGs should be considered.

Design and implementation of a fully electronic surgery database based on Google tools: an initial experience in cardiovascular surgery. / Criação e implementação de um banco de dados cirúrgico totalmente informatizado baseado nas ferramentas Google: experiência inicial em cirurgia cardiovascular.

OBJECTIVE: to describe, in a practical and step-by-step manner, the construction of a fully electronic platform for data collection, storage, and analysis, initially proposed for cardiovascular surgery, with interfaces that are reproducible and applicable to other surgical specialties, as well as to present the initial work experience with this instrument in cardiac surgery and the preliminary results obtained after its implementation in a Brazilian tertiary university hospital. METHODS: the platform was developed based on Google tools, which are free, easy to use, and widely accessible. From the beginning of this initiative, in May 2015, to the preliminary analysis, in February 2017, data from 271 consecutive patients submitted to cardiovascular surgery were prospectively recorded and preliminarily analyzed. RESULTS: the initiative was implemented with full success, with 100% of patients included and without loss of any variable, in a database composed of more than 500 variables. The most frequent immediate postoperative complications were: atrial fibrillation (22.5%), bronchopneumonia (10.7%), delirium (10.3%), acute renal failure (10%), stroke (5%), and death (7%). Comparing mortality rates in the first and second years of the initiative, a reduction from 10.8% to 4% (p=0.042), respectively, was evidenced. CONCLUSION: the new proposal of data collection and storage presented in this work was fully feasible and effective. It may be useful to other surgical specialties that wish to develop methods to evaluate success and postoperative complication rates, as well as quality improvement programs.

OBJETIVO: descrever de maneira prática e detalhada a criação de uma plataforma totalmente informatizada para coleta, armazenamento e análise de dados, inicialmente proposta para cirurgia cardiovascular, com interfaces reprodutíveis e aplicáveis a outras especialidades cirúrgicas, bem como, apresentar a experiência inicial de trabalho com esta ferramenta e os resultados preliminares obtidos após sua implementação em um hospital universitário terciário brasileiro. MÉTODOS: a plataforma foi desenvolvida com base nas ferramentas Google, gratuitas, de fácil utilização e amplamente acessíveis. Desde o início desta iniciativa, em maio de 2015, até a análise preliminar, em fevereiro de 2017, dados de 271 pacientes, consecutivos, submetidos à cirurgia cardiovascular foram prospectivamente recordados e analisados. RESULTADOS: a iniciativa foi implementada com pleno sucesso, com 100% dos pacientes incluídos e sem perda de qualquer variável em um banco de dados composto por mais de 500 variáveis. As complicações pós-operatórias imediatas mais frequentes foram: fibrilação atrial (22,5%), broncopneumonia (10,7%), delirium (10,3%), insuficiência renal aguda (10%), acidente vascular encefálico (5%) e morte (7%). Comparando-se as taxas de mortalidade no primeiro e segundo anos da iniciativa, uma redução de 10,8% para 4% (p=0,042), respectivamente, foi evidenciada. CONCLUSÃO: a nova proposta de coleta e armazenamento de dados apresentada neste trabalho mostrou-se plenamente factível e efetiva. Por serem gratuitas, de fácil manuseio e universalmente acessíveis, estas ferramentas podem ser úteis a outras especialidades cirúrgicas que desejem desenvolver métodos de avaliação de sucesso e complicações pós-operatórios, bem como, programas de melhoria de qualidade.

Usability and sensitivity of the risk of bias assessment tool for randomized controlled trials of pharmacist interventions.

Background The Cochrane collaboration risk of bias assessment (RoB) tool is used in several fields to evaluate the methodological quality of studies. Its strengths and challenges are discussed. Objective To assess the sensitivity of the RoB tool in studies of pharmacist interventions. Setting DEPICT database was used to pool randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of complex interventions. Method A Guide for RoB Judgment in Pharmacy Services was created to help in the interpretation and judgment of bias criteria. The evaluation of bias (low, unclear, high risk) was performed by RCT. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the influence of different interpretations of eight elements of judgment in the RoB tool. Paired analysis and estimations of the effect size (95% confidence interval) of the criteria modifications compared to the original analyses were calculated. Main outcome measure Changes in the interpretations of judgment in the RoB tool. Results Overall, 8.3, 45.4, and 46.3% of the studies were determined to have low, unclear, and high risk of bias, respectively. High risk of bias was caused by attrition and detection domains. The number of studies classified with high risk of bias significantly increased for five of the eight interpretations, while unclear risk of bias increased for three interpretations (with a negligible effect size in all of them). Lack of blinding, loss of participants, and the use of subjective and self-reported outcomes were the main elements resulting in high risk of bias. Conclusion The RoB tool is useful for evaluating RCTs of pharmacist interventions if adapted criteria for judgment are used. Ignoring these adjustments produces a floor-effect with studies classified with high risk of bias.

The recording of fatal work-related injuries in information systems in Brazil. / Registro de dados sobre acidentes de trabalho fatais em sistemas de informação no Brasil.

This study aims to identify information systems having fatal work-related (ATF) data in Brazil, describing their characteristics, flows and barriers to information quality. Using a documental research approach, we found: the Mortality Information System (SIM), the Hospital Admission Register from the Unified Health System (SIH-SUS), the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) and the Violence and Injuries Surveillance Program (VIVA) from the Health Ministry; the Work-related Injuries Reporting System (SISCAT) of the Ministry of Social Insurance; and the Annual Report of Social Information (RAIS), Ministry of Labour and Employment. A lack of key common variables limits the construction of a single database composed by all ATF recorded cases. From several barriers identified, the most relevant for data quality was the lack of work-relatedness recognition and recording, a task performed by the health team.

O objetivo deste estudo é identificar sistemas de informação que dispõem de dados sobre acidentes de trabalho fatais (ATF) no Brasil, descrever suas características, fluxos e barreiras para a qualidade da informação. Empregando-se o método da pesquisa documental, foram encontrados: o Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM), o Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do SUS (SIH/SUS), o Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan) e o Sistema do Programa Vigilância de Violência e Acidentes (VIVA) do Ministério da Saúde; o Sistema de Informação de Comunicação de Acidentes do Trabalho (Siscat) da Previdência Social; e do Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego, a Relação Anual de Informações Sociais (RAIS). A falta de variáveis chave comuns limita a construção de uma base de dados única com todos os casos de ATF registrados. Dentre os vários filtros e barreiras identificados destaca-se o não reconhecimento da relação do acidente com o trabalho pelos profissionais registrantes.

Registro de dados sobre acidentes de trabalho fatais em sistemas de informação no Brasil / The recording of fatal work-related injuries in information systems in Brazil

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo é identificar sistemas de informação que dispõem de dados sobre acidentes de trabalho fatais (ATF) no Brasil, descrever suas características, fluxos e barreiras para a qualidade da informação. Empregando-se o método da pesquisa documental, foram encontrados: o Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM), o Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do SUS (SIH/SUS), o Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan) e o Sistema do Programa Vigilância de Violência e Acidentes (VIVA) do Ministério da Saúde; o Sistema de Informação de Comunicação de Acidentes do Trabalho (Siscat) da Previdência Social; e do Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego, a Relação Anual de Informações Sociais (RAIS). A falta de variáveis chave comuns limita a construção de uma base de dados única com todos os casos de ATF registrados. Dentre os vários filtros e barreiras identificados destaca-se o não reconhecimento da relação do acidente com o trabalho pelos profissionais registrantes.

Abstract This study aims to identify information systems having fatal work-related (ATF) data in Brazil, describing their characteristics, flows and barriers to information quality. Using a documental research approach, we found: the Mortality Information System (SIM), the Hospital Admission Register from the Unified Health System (SIH-SUS), the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) and the Violence and Injuries Surveillance Program (VIVA) from the Health Ministry; the Work-related Injuries Reporting System (SISCAT) of the Ministry of Social Insurance; and the Annual Report of Social Information (RAIS), Ministry of Labour and Employment. A lack of key common variables limits the construction of a single database composed by all ATF recorded cases. From several barriers identified, the most relevant for data quality was the lack of work-relatedness recognition and recording, a task performed by the health team.

Criação e implementação de um banco de dados cirúrgico totalmente informatizado baseado nas ferramentas Google: experiência inicial em cirurgia cardiovascular / Design and implementation of a fully electronic surgery database based on Google tools: an initial experience in cardiovascular surgery

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever de maneira prática e detalhada a criação de uma plataforma totalmente informatizada para coleta, armazenamento e análise de dados, inicialmente proposta para cirurgia cardiovascular, com interfaces reprodutíveis e aplicáveis a outras especialidades cirúrgicas, bem como, apresentar a experiência inicial de trabalho com esta ferramenta e os resultados preliminares obtidos após sua implementação em um hospital universitário terciário brasileiro. Métodos: a plataforma foi desenvolvida com base nas ferramentas Google, gratuitas, de fácil utilização e amplamente acessíveis. Desde o início desta iniciativa, em maio de 2015, até a análise preliminar, em fevereiro de 2017, dados de 271 pacientes, consecutivos, submetidos à cirurgia cardiovascular foram prospectivamente recordados e analisados. Resultados: a iniciativa foi implementada com pleno sucesso, com 100% dos pacientes incluídos e sem perda de qualquer variável em um banco de dados composto por mais de 500 variáveis. As complicações pós-operatórias imediatas mais frequentes foram: fibrilação atrial (22,5%), broncopneumonia (10,7%), delirium (10,3%), insuficiência renal aguda (10%), acidente vascular encefálico (5%) e morte (7%). Comparando-se as taxas de mortalidade no primeiro e segundo anos da iniciativa, uma redução de 10,8% para 4% (p=0,042), respectivamente, foi evidenciada. Conclusão: a nova proposta de coleta e armazenamento de dados apresentada neste trabalho mostrou-se plenamente factível e efetiva. Por serem gratuitas, de fácil manuseio e universalmente acessíveis, estas ferramentas podem ser úteis a outras especialidades cirúrgicas que desejem desenvolver métodos de avaliação de sucesso e complicações pós-operatórios, bem como, programas de melhoria de qualidade.

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe, in a practical and step-by-step manner, the construction of a fully electronic platform for data collection, storage, and analysis, initially proposed for cardiovascular surgery, with interfaces that are reproducible and applicable to other surgical specialties, as well as to present the initial work experience with this instrument in cardiac surgery and the preliminary results obtained after its implementation in a Brazilian tertiary university hospital. Methods: the platform was developed based on Google tools, which are free, easy to use, and widely accessible. From the beginning of this initiative, in May 2015, to the preliminary analysis, in February 2017, data from 271 consecutive patients submitted to cardiovascular surgery were prospectively recorded and preliminarily analyzed. Results: the initiative was implemented with full success, with 100% of patients included and without loss of any variable, in a database composed of more than 500 variables. The most frequent immediate postoperative complications were: atrial fibrillation (22.5%), bronchopneumonia (10.7%), delirium (10.3%), acute renal failure (10%), stroke (5%), and death (7%). Comparing mortality rates in the first and second years of the initiative, a reduction from 10.8% to 4% (p=0.042), respectively, was evidenced. Conclusion: the new proposal of data collection and storage presented in this work was fully feasible and effective. It may be useful to other surgical specialties that wish to develop methods to evaluate success and postoperative complication rates, as well as quality improvement programs.

Validation of CD4+ T-cell and viral load data from the HIV-Brazil Cohort Study using secondary system data.

BACKGROUND: The HIV-Brazil Cohort Study (HIV-BCS) is a research primarily based on data collection from medical records of people living with HIV/AIDS in Brazil. The aim of this study was to present the validating design and results for the laboratory biomarkers viral load and CD4+ T-cell count from the HIV-Brazil Cohort Study. METHODS: A total of 8007 patients who were started cART from 2003 to 2013 were considered eligible for this study. Total follow-up time was 32,397 years. The median duration of follow-up was 3.51 years (interquartile range - IQR 1.63-6.13 years; maximum 11.51 years). We used secondary data from the Brazilian Laboratory Tests Control System (SISCEL). Incidence of lab testing rates per 100 person years (100 py) were used to compare the number of laboratory tests carried out among cohort sites considering different databases for CD4+ T-cell counts and HIV viral load assessments. Descriptive statistics including 95% confidence interval, Pearson correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman agreement analysis and kappa coefficient agreement were applied for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 80,302 CD4+ T-cell counts and 79,997 HIV viral load assessments were observed in HIV-BCS versus 94,083 CD4+ T-cell counts and 84,810 viral loads from the Brazilian Laboratory Tests Control System. The general CD4+ T-cell HIV-BCS testing rate was 247 per 100 py versus 290 per 100 py and the viral load HIV-BCS testing rate was 246 per 100 py versus 261 per 100 py. The general correlation observed for the lowest quantitative CD4+ T-cell count before cART was 0.970 (p < 0.001) and for the log of the highest viral load before cART was 0.971 (p < 0.001). The general agreement coefficient for categorized CD4+ T-cell count was 0.932 (p < 0.001) and for viral load was 0.996 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The current study confirms that biomarkers CD4+ T-cell count and viral load from the HIV-BCS have a high correlation and agreement with data from SISCEL, rendering both databases reliable and useful for epidemiological studies on HIV care in Brazil.

Improvement of data quality on the underlying cause of death from external causes using Health, Public Security and Press sector database linkage in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014. / Melhoria da qualidade do registro da causa básica de morte por causas externas a partir do relacionamento de dados dos setores Saúde, Segurança Pública e imprensa, no estado do Rio de Janeiro, 2014.

OBJECTIVE: to describe improvement of the quality of data on the underlying cause of death from external causes, after performing Health, Public Security and Press sector database linkage in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014. METHODS: deterministic data linkage on deaths from external causes of undetermined intent and deaths from undetermined natural causes held on the Mortality Information System (SIM), Forensic Institute, Civil Police, Urgent Mobile Care Service (SAMU) and press databases. RESULTS: of the 13,916 deaths from external causes, deaths from causes of undetermined intent were reduced from 5,836 (41.9%) to 958 (6.9%); while 222 (10.7%) of the 2,069 deaths from undetermined natural causes were reclassified to external causes; there was an increase in mortality due to traffic accidents (93.0%), assault (71.6%), legal intervention (744.7%), intentional self-harm (112%) and other accidents (29.9%). CONCLUSION: there was an improvement in the quality of the information by type of underlying cause of death from external causes, using a strategy that can be reproduced by other services.

A comparison of accuracy and computational feasibility of two record linkage algorithms in retrieving vital status information from HIV/AIDS patients registered in Brazilian public databases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: While cross-referencing information from people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) to the official mortality database is a critical step in monitoring the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Brazil, the accuracy of the linkage routine may compromise the validity of the final database, yielding to biased epidemiological estimates. We compared the accuracy and the total runtime of two linkage algorithms applied to retrieve vital status information from PLWHA in Brazilian public databases. METHODS: Nominally identified records from PLWHA were obtained from three distinct government databases. Linkage routines included an algorithm in Python language (PLA) and Reclink software (RlS), a probabilistic software largely utilized in Brazil. Records from PLWHA1 known to be alive were added to those from patients reported as deceased. Data were then searched into the mortality system. Scenarios where 5% and 50% of patients actually dead were simulated, considering both complete cases and 20% missing maternal names. RESULTS: When complete information was available both algorithms had comparable accuracies. In the scenario of 20% missing maternal names, PLA2 and RlS3 had sensitivities of 94.5% and 94.6% (p > 0.5), respectively; after manual reviewing, PLA sensitivity increased to 98.4% (96.6-100.0) exceeding that for RlS (p < 0.01). PLA had higher positive predictive value in 5% death proportion. Manual reviewing was intrinsically required by RlS in up to 14% register for people actually dead, whereas the corresponding proportion ranged from 1.5% to 2% for PLA. The lack of manual inspection did not alter PLA sensitivity when complete information was available. When incomplete data was available PLA sensitivity increased from 94.5% to 98.4%, thus exceeding that presented by RlS (94.6%, p < 0.05). RlS spanned considerably less processing time compared to PLA. CONCLUSION: Both linkage algorithms presented interchangeable accuracies in retrieving vital status data from PLWHA. RlS had a considerably lesser runtime but intrinsically required manually reviewing a fastidious proportion of the matched registries. On the other hand, PLA spent quite more runtime but spared manual reviewing at no expense of accuracy.

[Assessment of the incompleteness of the maternal schooling variable in Live Birth Certificate databases in Brazilian state capitals, 1996-2013]. / Avaliação da incompletude da variável escolaridade materna nos registros das Declarações de Nascidos Vivos nas capitais brasileiras - 1996 a 2013.

The article assessed the quality of completion of the maternal school variable in Brazilian state capitals and its regional distribution, based on the Brazilian Information System on Live Births (SINASC) with processed data from live birth certificates. A descriptive study was conducted in the time series from 1996 to 2013, with a total de 12,062,064 births, of which 11,442,494 (94.86%) had valid information on the maternal schooling variable. The results were calculated as the number of incomplete results in the variable per 1,000 live births, and the trend was assessed with the Joinpoint software, version 4.3.1. According to regional analysis, the South of Brazil showed a downward trend in incompleteness of maternal schooling throughout the study in all the state capitals of that region. Most of the country's other state capitals also showed improvement in the variable's completeness. However, there were different trends in some state capitals, even with greater incompleteness at the end of the period when compared to the beginning. SINASC proved to be a valuable source of data on mothers and their newborns, besides information on conditions in labor, delivery, and birth in the country. Maternal schooling, considered an important factor for obstetric and neonatal outcomes, is particularly useful for elaborating and evaluating policies and measures in maternal and child health. Thus, to achieve maximum completeness in data on this variable requires joint effort by health professionals and administrators, thereby guaranteeing the data's trustworthiness.

O presente artigo avaliou a qualidade de preenchimento da variável escolaridade da mãe nas capitais brasileiras e sua distribuição regional, por intermédio do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC), processado pela Declaração de Nascido Vivo (DNV). Foi realizado um estudo descritivo de uma série temporal no período de 1996 a 2013, com um total de 12.062.064 nascimentos, dos quais 11.442.494 (94,86%) possuíam informação válida para a variável escolaridade da mãe. Os resultados foram calculados por número de incompletude da variável para cada 1.000 nascidos vivos e foi avaliada a tendência por meio do software Jointpoint (versão 4.3.1). A análise regional demonstrou que a Região Sul apresentou uma tendência de redução da incompletude da escolaridade materna, mantida no período do estudo, em todas as suas capitais. Igualmente, de forma geral, a maior parte das outras capitais do país também evidenciou uma melhora na completude da variável. Entretanto, verificaram-se diferentes tendências, com algumas capitais, inclusive, apresentando uma maior incompletude ao final do período, quando comparado ao seu início. O SINASC demonstrou ser um instrumento valioso nas informações sobre as mães e seus recém-nascidos juntamente com as condições de parto e nascimento no país. Particularmente, a escolaridade materna, considerada um fator importante sobre os desfechos obstétricos e neonatais, é uma variável que permite a elaboração e avaliação das políticas e ações na área da saúde materno-infantil. Assim, alcançar a sua máxima completude requer um esforço conjunto, dos profissionais e gestores, garantindo a credibilidade dessas informações.

El presente artículo evaluó la calidad en la cumplimentación de la variable escolaridad de la madre en las capitales brasileñas y su distribución regional, mediante el Sistema de Información sobre Nacidos Vivos (SINASC), registrado vía la Declaración de Nacido Vivo (DNV). Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de una serie temporal, durante el período de 1996 a 2013, con un total de 12.062.064 nacimientos, de los cuales 11.442.494 (94,86%) contaban con información válida de la variable escolaridad de la madre. Los resultados se calcularon por número de registros con carácter incompleto de la variable por cada 1.000 nacidos vivos y se evaluó la tendencia mediante el programa Jointpoint (versión 4.3.1). El análisis regional demostró que la región sur presentó una tendencia en la reducción de la incompletitud de la escolaridad materna, sostenida durante el período del estudio, en todas sus capitales. Igualmente, de manera general, la mayor parte de las otras capitales del país también evidenció una mejora en la completitud de la variable. No obstante, se verificaron diferentes tendencias con algunas capitales, inclusive, algunas presentando una mayor incompletitud al final del período, cuando se compara con el principio del mismo. El SINASC demostró ser un instrumento valioso para la información sobre las madres y sus recién nacidos, junto a las condiciones de parto y nacimiento en el país. Particularmente, la escolaridad materna, considerada un factor importante sobre los desenlaces obstétricos y neonatales, es una variable que permite la elaboración y evaluación de las políticas y acciones en el área de la salud materno-infantil. De esta forma, alcanzar su máxima completitud requiere un esfuerzo conjunto, de profesionales y gestores, garantizando la credibilidad de esta información.

Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde: evidências sobre a confiabilidade dos dados / National Registry of Health Facilities: data reliability evidence

Resumo O presente trabalho comparou a confiabilidade de um grupo de dados registrados junto às bases secundárias do Cadastro Nacional dos Estabelecimentos de Saúde. Para cumprir este objetivo, o trabalho foi realizado em 'survey' com 2.777 hospitais. Os hospitais visitados forneceram dados sobre equipamentos, localização geográfica, status de funcionamento e número de leitos. Quanto à concordância entre os hospitais visitados e o cadastro nacional, pode-se destacar que o status de funcionamento estava atualizado em 89% dos casos, o número de leitos em 44%, 82% mantinham o quantitativo de equipamentos correto e 63% apresentaram coordenadas geográficas precisas. Esses achados apontam para uma boa confiabilidade dos dados do Cadastro Nacional dos Estabelecimentos de Saúde, quanto às categorias comparadas, excetuando-se os dados referentes ao número de leitos cadastrados e quanto a existência de alguns equipamentos. Como desdobramento deste trabalho pesa a necessidade de discutir estratégias e incentivos para melhorar a confiabilidade dos dados que ainda apresentam inconsistências, de forma a ampliar a qualidade dos instrumentos utilizados para a formulação de políticas públicas.

Abstract This study compared the reliability of a data group registered in the secondary databases of the National Registry of Health Facilities. A survey was conducted in 2,777 with hospitals to achieve this objective. Visited hospitals provided information on equipment, geographic location, operating status and number of beds. Regarding matching data between visited hospitals and the National Registry, it can be noted that the operating status was updated in 89% of cases, the number of beds in 44%, 82% had the correct amount of equipment and 63% had accurate geographic coordinates. These findings point to a good reliability of information from the National Registry of Health Facilities, regarding the compared categories, excepting for data on the number of registered beds and for some equipment. As a further development of this work, we stress the need to discuss strategies and incentives to improve the reliability of data that still have inconsistencies, in order to improve the instruments used to formulate public policies.

National Registry of Health Facilities: data reliability evidence. / Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde: evidências sobre a confiabilidade dos dados.

This study compared the reliability of a data group registered in the secondary databases of the National Registry of Health Facilities. A survey was conducted in 2,777 with hospitals to achieve this objective. Visited hospitals provided information on equipment, geographic location, operating status and number of beds. Regarding matching data between visited hospitals and the National Registry, it can be noted that the operating status was updated in 89% of cases, the number of beds in 44%, 82% had the correct amount of equipment and 63% had accurate geographic coordinates. These findings point to a good reliability of information from the National Registry of Health Facilities, regarding the compared categories, excepting for data on the number of registered beds and for some equipment. As a further development of this work, we stress the need to discuss strategies and incentives to improve the reliability of data that still have inconsistencies, in order to improve the instruments used to formulate public policies.

O presente trabalho comparou a confiabilidade de um grupo de dados registrados junto às bases secundárias do Cadastro Nacional dos Estabelecimentos de Saúde. Para cumprir este objetivo, o trabalho foi realizado em 'survey' com 2.777 hospitais. Os hospitais visitados forneceram dados sobre equipamentos, localização geográfica, status de funcionamento e número de leitos. Quanto à concordância entre os hospitais visitados e o cadastro nacional, pode-se destacar que o status de funcionamento estava atualizado em 89% dos casos, o número de leitos em 44%, 82% mantinham o quantitativo de equipamentos correto e 63% apresentaram coordenadas geográficas precisas. Esses achados apontam para uma boa confiabilidade dos dados do Cadastro Nacional dos Estabelecimentos de Saúde, quanto às categorias comparadas, excetuando-se os dados referentes ao número de leitos cadastrados e quanto a existência de alguns equipamentos. Como desdobramento deste trabalho pesa a necessidade de discutir estratégias e incentivos para melhorar a confiabilidade dos dados que ainda apresentam inconsistências, de forma a ampliar a qualidade dos instrumentos utilizados para a formulação de políticas públicas.

Avaliação da incompletude da variável escolaridade materna nos registros das Declarações de Nascidos Vivos nas capitais brasileiras - 1996 a 2013 / Assessment of the incompleteness of the maternal schooling variable in Live Birth Certificate databases in Brazilian state capitals, 1996-2013 / Evaluación de la incompletitud de la variable escolaridad materna en los registros de las Declaraciones de Nacidos Vivos en capitales brasileñas, de 1996 a 2013

O presente artigo avaliou a qualidade de preenchimento da variável escolaridade da mãe nas capitais brasileiras e sua distribuição regional, por intermédio do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC), processado pela Declaração de Nascido Vivo (DNV). Foi realizado um estudo descritivo de uma série temporal no período de 1996 a 2013, com um total de 12.062.064 nascimentos, dos quais 11.442.494 (94,86%) possuíam informação válida para a variável escolaridade da mãe. Os resultados foram calculados por número de incompletude da variável para cada 1.000 nascidos vivos e foi avaliada a tendência por meio do software Jointpoint (versão 4.3.1). A análise regional demonstrou que a Região Sul apresentou uma tendência de redução da incompletude da escolaridade materna, mantida no período do estudo, em todas as suas capitais. Igualmente, de forma geral, a maior parte das outras capitais do país também evidenciou uma melhora na completude da variável. Entretanto, verificaram-se diferentes tendências, com algumas capitais, inclusive, apresentando uma maior incompletude ao final do período, quando comparado ao seu início. O SINASC demonstrou ser um instrumento valioso nas informações sobre as mães e seus recém-nascidos juntamente com as condições de parto e nascimento no país. Particularmente, a escolaridade materna, considerada um fator importante sobre os desfechos obstétricos e neonatais, é uma variável que permite a elaboração e avaliação das políticas e ações na área da saúde materno-infantil. Assim, alcançar a sua máxima completude requer um esforço conjunto, dos profissionais e gestores, garantindo a credibilidade dessas informações.

The article assessed the quality of completion of the maternal school variable in Brazilian state capitals and its regional distribution, based on the Brazilian Information System on Live Births (SINASC) with processed data from live birth certificates. A descriptive study was conducted in the time series from 1996 to 2013, with a total de 12,062,064 births, of which 11,442,494 (94.86%) had valid information on the maternal schooling variable. The results were calculated as the number of incomplete results in the variable per 1,000 live births, and the trend was assessed with the Joinpoint software, version 4.3.1. According to regional analysis, the South of Brazil showed a downward trend in incompleteness of maternal schooling throughout the study in all the state capitals of that region. Most of the country's other state capitals also showed improvement in the variable's completeness. However, there were different trends in some state capitals, even with greater incompleteness at the end of the period when compared to the beginning. SINASC proved to be a valuable source of data on mothers and their newborns, besides information on conditions in labor, delivery, and birth in the country. Maternal schooling, considered an important factor for obstetric and neonatal outcomes, is particularly useful for elaborating and evaluating policies and measures in maternal and child health. Thus, to achieve maximum completeness in data on this variable requires joint effort by health professionals and administrators, thereby guaranteeing the data's trustworthiness.

El presente artículo evaluó la calidad en la cumplimentación de la variable escolaridad de la madre en las capitales brasileñas y su distribución regional, mediante el Sistema de Información sobre Nacidos Vivos (SINASC), registrado vía la Declaración de Nacido Vivo (DNV). Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de una serie temporal, durante el período de 1996 a 2013, con un total de 12.062.064 nacimientos, de los cuales 11.442.494 (94,86%) contaban con información válida de la variable escolaridad de la madre. Los resultados se calcularon por número de registros con carácter incompleto de la variable por cada 1.000 nacidos vivos y se evaluó la tendencia mediante el programa Jointpoint (versión 4.3.1). El análisis regional demostró que la región sur presentó una tendencia en la reducción de la incompletitud de la escolaridad materna, sostenida durante el período del estudio, en todas sus capitales. Igualmente, de manera general, la mayor parte de las otras capitales del país también evidenció una mejora en la completitud de la variable. No obstante, se verificaron diferentes tendencias con algunas capitales, inclusive, algunas presentando una mayor incompletitud al final del período, cuando se compara con el principio del mismo. El SINASC demostró ser un instrumento valioso para la información sobre las madres y sus recién nacidos, junto a las condiciones de parto y nacimiento en el país. Particularmente, la escolaridad materna, considerada un factor importante sobre los desenlaces obstétricos y neonatales, es una variable que permite la elaboración y evaluación de las políticas y acciones en el área de la salud materno-infantil. De esta forma, alcanzar su máxima completitud requiere un esfuerzo conjunto, de profesionales y gestores, garantizando la credibilidad de esta información.

Using predictive analytics and big data to optimize pharmaceutical outcomes.

PURPOSE: The steps involved, the resources needed, and the challenges associated with applying predictive analytics in healthcare are described, with a review of successful applications of predictive analytics in implementing population health management interventions that target medication-related patient outcomes. SUMMARY: In healthcare, the term big data typically refers to large quantities of electronic health record, administrative claims, and clinical trial data as well as data collected from smartphone applications, wearable devices, social media, and personal genomics services; predictive analytics refers to innovative methods of analysis developed to overcome challenges associated with big data, including a variety of statistical techniques ranging from predictive modeling to machine learning to data mining. Predictive analytics using big data have been applied successfully in several areas of medication management, such as in the identification of complex patients or those at highest risk for medication noncompliance or adverse effects. Because predictive analytics can be used in predicting different outcomes, they can provide pharmacists with a better understanding of the risks for specific medication-related problems that each patient faces. This information will enable pharmacists to deliver interventions tailored to patients' needs. In order to take full advantage of these benefits, however, clinicians will have to understand the basics of big data and predictive analytics. CONCLUSION: Predictive analytics that leverage big data will become an indispensable tool for clinicians in mapping interventions and improving patient outcomes.