Perfil epidemiológico de usuários encaminhados para atendimento fonoaudiológico em um município do Rio Grande do Sul / Epidemiological profile of users referred to speech therapy in a municipality in Rio Grande do Sul

RESUMO Objetivo Caracterizar o perfil epidemiológico de usuários encaminhados para atendimento fonoaudiológico no município de Canoas (RS). Métodos Estudo epidemiológico, transversal e descritivo. A pesquisa foi feita a partir de dados do Sistema Integrado de Gestão de Serviços de Saúde de Canoas (RS), com coleta da lista de espera para atendimento fonoaudiológico, sob controle da Diretoria de Regulação Municipal. Resultados a lista de espera contemplou 850 encaminhamentos para Fonoaudiologia, datando de 18/01/2018 até 27/08/2021. O maior número de encaminhamentos foi de crianças de 4 a 7 anos de idade, com 244 (28%), sendo 484 usuários do gênero masculino (56,9%), 702 brancos (82,6%) e encaminhados pela atenção primária (totalizando 76,2%). O tempo de espera na lista da regulação teve média de um ano e seis meses e variou com 186 usuários aguardando entre 7-12 meses (21,8%), 168 usuários aguardando entre 0,6 meses (19,7%) e 167 usuários aguardando entre 25-30 meses (19,6%). As queixas principais foram de linguagem e fala (60,2%). Conclusão Observou-se um represamento da demanda para atendimento fonoaudiológico pelo Sistema Único de Saúde em Canoas (RS), com baixa rotatividade e tempo de espera longo para reabilitação dos usuários, em sua maioria crianças. A partir deste estudo, espera-se auxiliar na identificação dessa demanda e, assim, possibilitar a criação de políticas públicas de habilitação ou reabilitação no município e melhorar o acesso da população ao atendimento especializado

ABSTRACT Purpose This research aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of users referred to speech therapy in the city of Canoas/RS. Methods This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional and descriptive study. The research was based on data from the Canoas/RS. Integrated Health Services Management System (SIGSS), with collection of the waiting list for speech therapy, under the control of the Municipal Regulation Board. Results The waiting list included 850 referrals to Speech Therapy, dating from 01/18/2018 to 08/27/2021. The highest number of referrals was from children aged 4 to 7 years, with 244 (28%), 484 male users (56.9%), 702 white (82.6%) and referred by primary care (totaling 76, two%). The waiting time on the regulation list averaged 17.89 months (one year and six months) and varied with 186 users waiting between 7-12 months (21.8%), 168 users waiting between 0.6 months (19.7%) and 167 users waiting between 25-30 months (19.6%). The main complaints were language and speech (60.2%). Conclusion According to the data found, there was a damming of the demand for speech therapy care by the SUS in Canoas/RS., with low turnover and long waiting time for the rehabilitation of users, mostly children. This study is expected to help in the identification of this demand, and thus, enable the creation of public policies of habilitation or rehabilitation in the municipality and improve the population's access to specialized care.

Incidence and risk factors of communication, swallowing, and orofacial myofunctional disorders in children and adolescents with cancer and benign neoplasms.

PURPOSE: To describe the incidence and risk factors of communication, swallowing, and orofacial myofunctional disorders in a cohort of children and adolescents with cancer and benign neoplasms. METHODS: A prospective cohort study conducted with children aged ⩾ 2 years and adolescents of both genders admitted at the Pediatric Oncology Department of the Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA) between March 2014 and April 2015. Study participants were submitted to a Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) assessment at three different times: (T1) at hospital admission; (T2) six months after admission; (T3) one year after admission. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty individuals were evaluated. At the time of hospital admission, 68 individuals (42.5%) presented with some type of SLP disorder. After one year of follow-up, 22.8% of the patients had developed new impairments. The occurrence of new speech-language disorders had a statistically significant association with the tumor site. In the risk analysis for the development of speech-language disorders with respect to the primary tumor site, compared to other sites, the central nervous system (CNS) tumor group was 8.29 times more likely to present some new alterations, while the head and neck (HN) tumor group had a 10.36-fold higher risk. CONCLUSION: An incidence of 22.8% for communication, swallowing, and orofacial myofunctional disorders was observed. The development of these disorders was greater in individuals with tumors in the CNS and in the HN region.

Co-occurrence of communication disorder and psychiatric disorders in maltreated children and adolescents: relationship with global functioning

Objective: To study the co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders (PD) and communication disorders (CD) and their relationship with global functioning in maltreated children and adolescents. Methods: The sample comprised 143 maltreated children and adolescents (55.8% male). All underwent clinical communication and psychiatric evaluations, as well as global functioning assessment using the Children’s Global Assessment Scale (C-GAS). Results: Four groups emerged from evaluation: Group 1 (n=7, 4.9%) did not exhibit any disorders; Group 2 (n=26, 18.2%) exhibited PD; Group 3 (n=34, 23.8%) exhibited CD; and Group 4 (n=76, 53.1%) exhibited both PD and CD on evaluation. Significant differences in global functioning scores were found between G1 and G2, G1 and G4, G2 and G4, and G3 and G4, with the highest C-GAS scores found in G1 and the lowest in G4. Conclusion: Rates of PD and CD are high in this maltreated population. The presence of PD has a major impact on C-GAS score, and the simultaneous presence of CD increases the already impaired function of PD. Demonstration of the additive effects of PD and CD on youth functioning suggests that professionals should be alert to the presence of both disorders to better act preventively and therapeutically in a high-risk population.

Co-occurrence of communication disorder and psychiatric disorders in maltreated children and adolescents: relationship with global functioning.

OBJECTIVE: To study the co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders (PD) and communication disorders (CD) and their relationship with global functioning in maltreated children and adolescents. METHODS: The sample comprised 143 maltreated children and adolescents (55.8% male). All underwent clinical communication and psychiatric evaluations, as well as global functioning assessment using the Children's Global Assessment Scale (C-GAS). RESULTS: Four groups emerged from evaluation: Group 1 (n=7, 4.9%) did not exhibit any disorders; Group 2 (n=26, 18.2%) exhibited PD; Group 3 (n=34, 23.8%) exhibited CD; and Group 4 (n=76, 53.1%) exhibited both PD and CD on evaluation. Significant differences in global functioning scores were found between G1 and G2, G1 and G4, G2 and G4, and G3 and G4, with the highest C-GAS scores found in G1 and the lowest in G4. CONCLUSION: Rates of PD and CD are high in this maltreated population. The presence of PD has a major impact on C-GAS score, and the simultaneous presence of CD increases the already impaired function of PD. Demonstration of the additive effects of PD and CD on youth functioning suggests that professionals should be alert to the presence of both disorders to better act preventively and therapeutically in a high-risk population.

Epidemiology of communication disorders in childhood phoniatric clinical practice / Epidemiologia dos distúrbios de comunicação na infância em clínica foniátrica

INTRODUCTION: Language acquisition and development require an understanding of physical and psychosocial aspects during diagnosis and treatment. At this point, a partnership between phoniatric physicians and other health professionals is often a determinant for favorable prognosis.OBJECTIVE: To identify the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of a pediatric population attending a phoniatric clinical practice.METHODS: Study design: Cross-sectional cohort. Retrospective, epidemiological study of 297 children, seen in phoniatric appointments between 1976 and 2005. Outcome variables were referral origin, gender, age, mean age, diagnosis, and treatment approach.RESULTS: 66% were male and 34% were female, with a mean age of 6.4 years. The largest number of referrals for phoniatric treatments came from speech therapists (38%). The predominant complaint was alteration in speech (35%); the diagnostics in speech, language, and fluency (49.5%) are noteworthy. Considering the total of the patients analyzed, 28.2% were referred for speech therapy and 11.8% for psychotherapy.CONCLUSION: The studied population is predominantly male, the diagnosis points to a higher incidence in cases of impairment in speech, language, and fluency; the most common treatment was speech therapy.

INTRODUÇÃO: Aquisição e desenvolvimento da linguagem demandam cuidados exigindo compreensão dos aspectos orgânicos e psíquicos no diagnóstico e tratamento. Assim, parceria entre foniatra e outros profissionais é, muitas vezes, determinante de um prognóstico favorável.OBJETIVO: Caracterizar clínica e epidemiologicamente os distúrbios de comunicação em crianças na prática clínica.MÉTODO: Coorte transversal histórica. Estudo epidemiológico retrospectivo de 297 prontuários de crianças atendidas em consulta foniátrica no período entre 1976 a 2005. Variáveis: origem do encaminhamento, gênero, média da idade, diagnóstico e conduta para tratamento.RESULTADOS: 66% foram do gênero masculino e 34% do feminino com média de idade de 6,4 anos. Maior número de encaminhamentos foi realizado por fonoaudiólogos (38%). A queixa predominante era de alterações na fala 35% e ressaltam-se os diagnósticos na área da fala, linguagem e fluência (49,5%). Do total destacaram-se os encaminhamentos para: 28,2% fonoterapia e 11,8% psicoterapia.CONCLUSÃO: A população atendida foi predominantemente masculina, o diagnóstico aponta maior incidência em quadros de comprometimento na fala, linguagem e fluência e o tratamento mais indicado foi fonoterapia.

Epidemiology of communication disorders in childhood phoniatric clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Language acquisition and development require an understanding of physical and psychosocial aspects during diagnosis and treatment. At this point, a partnership between phoniatric physicians and other health professionals is often a determinant for favorable prognosis. OBJECTIVE: To identify the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of a pediatric population attending a phoniatric clinical practice. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort. Retrospective, epidemiological study of 297 children, seen in phoniatric appointments between 1976 and 2005. Outcome variables were referral origin, gender, age, mean age, diagnosis, and treatment approach. RESULTS: 66% were male and 34% were female, with a mean age of 6.4 years. The largest number of referrals for phoniatric treatments came from speech therapists (38%). The predominant complaint was alteration in speech (35%); the diagnostics in speech, language, and fluency (49.5%) are noteworthy. Considering the total of the patients analyzed, 28.2% were referred for speech therapy and 11.8% for psychotherapy. CONCLUSION: The studied population is predominantly male, the diagnosis points to a higher incidence in cases of impairment in speech, language, and fluency; the most common treatment was speech therapy.

A household-based study of contact networks relevant for the spread of infectious diseases in the highlands of Peru.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have quantified social mixing in remote rural areas of developing countries, where the burden of infectious diseases is usually the highest. Understanding social mixing patterns in those settings is crucial to inform the implementation of strategies for disease prevention and control. We characterized contact and social mixing patterns in rural communities of the Peruvian highlands. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This cross-sectional study was nested in a large prospective household-based study of respiratory infections conducted in the province of San Marcos, Cajamarca-Peru. Members of study households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire of social contacts (conversation or physical interaction) experienced during the last 24 hours. We identified 9015 reported contacts from 588 study household members. The median age of respondents was 17 years (interquartile range [IQR] 4-34 years). The median number of reported contacts was 12 (IQR 8-20) whereas the median number of physical (i.e. skin-to-skin) contacts was 8.5 (IQR 5-14). Study participants had contacts mostly with people of similar age, and with their offspring or parents. The number of reported contacts was mainly determined by the participants' age, household size and occupation. School-aged children had more contacts than other age groups. Within-household reciprocity of contacts reporting declined with household size (range 70%-100%). Ninety percent of household contact networks were complete, and furthermore, household members' contacts with non-household members showed significant overlap (range 33%-86%), indicating a high degree of contact clustering. A two-level mixing epidemic model was simulated to compare within-household mixing based on observed contact networks and within-household random mixing. No differences in the size or duration of the simulated epidemics were revealed. CONCLUSION: This study of rural low-density communities in the highlands of Peru suggests contact patterns are highly assortative. Study findings support the use of within-household homogenous mixing assumptions for epidemic modeling in this setting.

Communication impairments in early term and late preterm children: a prospective cohort study following children to age 36 months.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk of communication impairments at age 18 and 36 months in children born early term (gestational weeks 37-38) and late preterm (gestational weeks 34-36). STUDY DESIGN: A total of 39 423 children and their mothers participated in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. The sample included 7109 children (18%) born early term and 1673 (4.2%) born late preterm. Information on gestational age and prenatal and postnatal risk factors was obtained from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Information on communication impairments was assessed using standardized questionnaires filled out by the mothers. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the associations between early term/late preterm birth and communication impairments at age 18 and 36 months. RESULTS: Compared with children born at term, children born early term and late preterm had an increased risk of communication impairments at age 18 and 36 months. In early term, the aOR was 1.27 (95% CI, 1.12-1.44) at 18 months for communication impairments and 1.22 (95% CI, 1.07-1.39) at 36 months for expressive language impairments. In late preterm, the aOR was 1.74 (95% CI, 1.41-2.14) at 18 months and 1.37 (95% CI, 1.09-1.73) at 36 months. CONCLUSION: Not only children born late preterm, but also those born early term, are at increased risk for communication impairments. Given the large number of children potentially affected, this may result in significant health care costs.

[Communicative disorder prevalence and associated risk factors regarding informal workers in Popayan, Colombia]. / Prevalencia y factores de riesgo asociados a alteraciones comunicativas en vendedores ambulantes de Popayán, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: Determining the prevalence of alterations in informal workers’ audition, respiratory and vocal functions and their association with certain risk factors in Popayan, Colombia. METHODS: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 186 informal workers (i.e. people selling things in the street). After signing an informed consent form, an interview was held to obtain data regarding sociodemographic and communicative variables. The workers were then evaluated using tests for tone audiometry, respiratory function and Wilson's voice profile. SPSS (v.19.0) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Being older than 30 years of age (OR 5.84: 2.85-12.00 95%CI), having a poor educational level (2.81: 1.22-6.44 95%CI) and low socioeconomic status (4.54:1.89-10.91 95%CI) and prolonged working hours (2.64: 1.27-5.06 95%CI) were associated with auditive function disorders. Respiratory function disorders were associated with being female (1.83; 1.00-3.34 95%CI) and having prolonged working hours (2.04: 1.11-3.74 95%CI). Regarding vocal function, being over 30 years-old (3.36: 1.33-3.51 95%CI) and having a low educational level (3.67; 1.05-12.76 95%CI) were risk factors. Communicative factors related to auditive, respiratory and voice disorder were ear pain, hypertrophic tonsils, trauma, gastro-esophageal reflux, frequent cough, strong emotions and screaming. CONCLUSIONS: It is evident that alterations in informal workers'’ communicative system are associated with certain sociodemographic and communicative risk factors. This information provides a baseline for improving healthcare promotion and disease prevention strategies aimed at this population.

Examining the health and drug exposures among Canadian children residing in drug-producing homes.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the health and well-being of children residing in residences where drug production is occurring. STUDY DESIGN: Starting in January 2006, children identified by police and the Children's Aids Society in the York region of Ontario, Canada, were referred to the Motherisk Program at the Hospital for Sick Children for pediatric assessment of their general health and well-being, with specific focus on illicit-drug exposure. We used a standard protocol to collect all available medical and environmental history, conducted physical and neurologic examinations, and collected hair for analysis of illicit drugs. RESULTS: In total, 75 children, at the mean age of 6.5 years, were referred to us after being removed from homes where marijuana was grown (80%) or other operations linked to drug production were occurring (20%). Overall, rates of health issues in this cohort fell below reference values for Canadian children. Of the hair tests, 32% were positive for illicit substances. In the majority there were no clinical symptoms related to these drugs. CONCLUSION: The majority of children removed from drug-producing homes were healthy and drug free. Comprehensive evaluations should be performed on a case-by-case basis in order to determine what is ultimately in the best interest of the child.

Developmental delay in moderately preterm-born children at school entry.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and nature of developmental delay at preschool age in infants born moderately preterm compared with those born full-term and early preterm. STUDY DESIGN: Parents of 927 moderate preterm infants (32-35(+6) weeks gestation), 512 early preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation) and 544 full-term infants (38-41(+6) weeks gestation) completed the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) when the child was aged 43-49 months. We analyzed rates of abnormal ASQ scores and odds ratios for abnormal ASQ scores in both preterm groups compared with the full-term group. We repeated the analyses after adjustment for socioeconomic status, sex, being part of a multiple birth, and small for gestational age status. RESULTS: Abnormal (ie, >2 SDs below the mean) ASQ total scores were noted in 8.3% of moderate preterm infants, in 4.2% of full-term infants, and in 14.9% of early preterm infants. ORs of abnormal ASQ total scores were 2.1 (95% CI, 1.3-3.4) for moderate preterm infants and 4.0 (95% CI, 2.4-6.5) for early preterm infants. Both moderate and early preterm infants had more frequent problems with fine motor, communication, and personal-social functioning compared with full-term infants. Compared with full-term infants, moderate preterm infants did not have a greater prevalence of problems with gross motor functioning and problem solving, whereas early preterms did. Socioeconomic status, small for gestational age status, and sex were associated with abnormal ASQ scores in moderate preterm infants. CONCLUSIONS: At preschool age, the prevalence of developmental delay in moderate preterm infants was 2-fold of that in full-term infants and one-half of that in early preterm infants.

[Evaluation of mental and communication functions in mapuche and non mapuche elderly subjects in rural communities in Southern Chile]. / Valoración de las funciones mentales y la comunicación en adultos mayores mapuches y no mapuches en áreas rurales del sur de Chile.

BACKGROUND: The main predictors of functional impairment in the elderly are alterations in mental or communication functions. AIM: To study mental and communication functions in rural elderly subjects of Mapuche and non Mapuche origin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Elderly subjects coming from a rural Mapuche community and a non Mapuche community were studied. Subjects were interviewed at their homes. The communication and mental function assessments of the Functional Autonomy Measurement System were applied. RESULTS: Fifty one Mapuche and 49 non Mapuche subjects with a mean age of 71 +/- 7 and 74 +/- 8 years respectively, were studied. Fifty four percent were female and 31% were illiterate. Twenty six percent had impairment in mental functions. The item with the highest difficulty was memory. The visual function was the most severely impaired among communication items. Mapuche elderly subjects had significantly higher degrees of impairment in mental and communication functions. CONCLUSIONS: There is a higher degree of mental and communication impairment among rural Mapuche elderly subjects than in their non Mapuche counterparts.