RESUMO
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a public health concern in Brazil, with deleterious effects on quality of life and increasing mortality rates. The prevalence of diabetes in Brazil is on the rise, and it is imperative to understand its effects on mortality rates in the last two decades in order to effectively mitigate the detrimental impact of diabetes on public health. This study aims to analyze mortality trends related to diabetes in Brazil from 2000 to 2021, encompassing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, across sex and various age cohorts. Using joinpoint regression analysis, temporal trends in Brazil were assessed, while also incorporating findings from previous studies and considering potential influencing factors, such as government initiatives and cuts in healthcare investment. The study revealed a general upward trend in mortality rates associated with DM1 and DM2 over the study period, in both males and females, with men showing a higher AAPC (average annual percent change), which translated into significantly increased mortality difference at the end of the study. Additionally, it revealed elevated mortality values for extreme age groups in the age cohorts studied, with the exception of middle-aged cohort groups in DM2, which showed an expected higher APC (annual percent change), considering the age of highest incidence of DM2 in those age groups. This comprehensive analysis provides critical insights into the escalating impact of diabetes on mortality rates in Brazil and highlights the urgent need for healthcare strategies. It is expected that the increased prevalence of diabetes in the Brazilian population adds an additional economic burden to healthcare expenditure by the Brazilian government, further worsening the health disparities among different social groups. Unless several political decisions to reduce healthcare expenditure are reversed, greater difficulties in accessing treatments will be detrimental for vulnerable social groups in Brazil. By understanding the nuanced patterns of diabetes-related mortality, healthcare providers and policymakers can allocate resources effectively and implement tailored interventions to better address diabetes in Brazil.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Poor quality sleep and emotional disturbances are expected in times of crisis. COVID-19 has severely impacted healthcare worldwide and with that comes the concern about its effects on healthcare workers. The purpose of the present study was to assess sleep quality and psychological distress in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The present work is a multi-centric cross-sectional study targeting healthcare workers from India, Pakistan, and Nepal. It used an online version of the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and the General Health Questionnaire, and data were analyzed using SPSS V.24. RESULTS: A total of 1790 participants completed the questionnaire. Of the 1790 participants, 57% reported poor sleep quality, and 10% reported a high level of psychological distress. A cross-cultural comparison found some differences between the different groups of participants. The details of the differences were further explored in the article. CONCLUSION: The present study highlights that a significant proportion of healthcare workers are affected by poor sleep quality and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also emphasizes the imperative to provide them with psychosocial support to avoid potential short- and long-term psychological consequences of these troubling times.
