Cerebral blood flow regulation and cognitive performance in hypertension.

We examined the relation between transcranial Doppler (TCD) markers of cerebral blood flow regulation and cognitive performance in hypertension (HT) patients to evaluate the predictive value of these markers for cognitive decline. We assessed dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA), vasoreactivity to carbon dioxide, and neurovascular coupling (NVC) in the middle (MCA) and posterior (PCA) cerebral arteries of 52 patients. Neuropsychological evaluation included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and tests covering attention, executive function, processing speed, and memory. Notably, reduced rate time in the PCA significantly predicted better processing speed (p = 0.003). Furthermore, reduced overshoot systolic cerebral blood velocity in the PCA and reduced phase in the VLF range in the MCA (p = 0.021 and p = 0.017, respectively) significantly predicted better memory. Intriguingly, enhanced dCA in the MCA predicted poorer memory performance, while reduced NVC in the PCA predicted both superior processing speed and memory performance. These findings suggest that HT-induced changes in cerebral hemodynamics impact cognitive performance. Further research should verify these observations and elucidate whether these changes represent adaptive responses or neurovascular inefficiency. TCD markers might provide insights into HT-related cognitive decline.

In vitro mechanical analysis of X-shaped femoroplasty with polymethyl methacrylate boundary a fall on the greater trochanter.

To evaluate with mechanical testing (MT) using synthetic femurs, an X-shaped femoroplasty technique with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), analyzing the results applied to the prophylaxis of proximal femur (PF) fractures caused by low-energy trauma. MT was performed simulating a fall on the greater trochanter, using fifteen Sawbones™ models. They were divided into three experimental groups (n = 5): control (DP) group, drilled without augmentation (DWA) group, and X-shaped augmentation (DX) group. Maximum load, stiffness, absorbed energy and displacement were analyzed primarily in all groups; and secondarily then, morphology and fracture type were verified in all groups while PMMA volume, temperature and time polymerization were analyzed only in the DX group. The MT results obtained for synthetic models respectively in the DP, DWA, and DX groups were: mean maximum load (5562.0 ±â€¯464.8) N, (4798.0 ±â€¯121.2) N, and (7132.0 ±â€¯206.9) N; mean stiffness values (673 ±â€¯64.34) N/mm, (636 ±â€¯8.7) N/mm, and (738 ±â€¯17.13) N/mm, and mean absorbed energy values (36,203 ±â€¯3819) N.mm, (27,617 ±â€¯3011) N.mm, (44,762 ±â€¯3219) N.mm; mean displacement values (13.6 ±â€¯1.45) N, (11.1 ±â€¯0.5) N, and (13.2 ±â€¯0.69) N. The mean volume, temperature reached during filling in the DX group were 9.8 mL, 42.54ºC with 1' 56" of polymerization. The fracture types were similar between the DP and DWA groups, affecting the trochanteric region, as distinctly to those in the DX group, which were restricted to the femoral neck. The values obtained in MT showed statistical significance when analyzed by one-way ANOVA (5%) for maximum load, stiffness, and absorbed energy between groups. In conclusion, X-shaped PMMA augmentation presents a protective biomechanical characteristic against PF fractures generated in synthetic models by boundary a fall on the greater trochanter.

Coronary Artery Fistula as Another Cause of Acute Heart Failure.

Coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) are rare defects in the coronary circulation system that are usually diagnosed incidentally with cardiac imaging. Although the prognosis of coronary artery fistulas is highly variable, the complications to which they predispose patients are ultimately the determining factor. The authors describe a case of a 56-year-old male, a smoker, hospitalised for worsening dyspnoea on progressively smaller efforts, in the context of acute heart failure. During hospitalisation and imaging exams, a coronary-bronchial fistula was identified. LEARNING POINTS: CAFs are rare and may present with different anatomical configurations and clinical syndromes.Only 17% of CAFs reported draining into the pulmonary circulation.The optimal timing and role of CAFs intervention are not clearly defined.

PATELLAR FRACTURE IN ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION: IN VITRO ANALYSIS.

Objective: To determine, by biomechanical analysis, safe patellar cut limits in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction that minimize fracture risks. Methods: From three-dimensional reconstruction, triangular cuts were made in the patella, with a depth of 6.5 mm and variable width and length (10 to 20 mm and 8 to 12 mm, respectively, both with an interval of 1 mm). The combinations of cuts constituted 55 models for tests, with five variations in width and 11 variations in length, tested with the finite element method (FEM). Results: The mean of the localized principal maximum (traction force) values was 4.36 Pa (SD 0.87 ± 0.76) and the localized principal minimum (compression force) was -4.33 Pa (SD 1.05 ± 1.11). Comparing width and length to the tension force of the values of the main maximum, we found statistical significance from 11 mm for width and 13 mm for length. Conclusion: In ACL reconstruction, the removal of the patellar bone fragment is safe for fragments smaller than 11 mm in width and 13 mm in length, which corresponds to 24% of the width and 28% of the length of the patella used. Level of Evidence II, Comparative Prospective Study.

Objetivo: Determinar, por meio de análise biomecânica, os limites de corte patelar seguros para a reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) e que minimizem riscos de fratura. Métodos: A partir de reconstrução tridimensional, foram feitos cortes triangulares na patela, com profundidade de 6,5 mm e largura e comprimento variáveis (8 a 12 mm e 10 a 20 mm), respectivamente, com intervalo de 1 mm). As combinações dos cortes constituíram 55 modelos para ensaios, com 5 variações de largura e 11 variações de comprimento, ensaiados por meio do método dos elementos finitos (MEF). Resultados: A média dos valores da máxima principal localizada (força de tração) foi de 4,36 Pa (DP 0,87 ± 0,76), e a mínima principal localizada (força de compressão) foi de −4,33 Pa (DP 1,05 ± 1,11). Comparando largura e comprimento à força de tensões dos valores da máxima principal, houve significância estatística a partir de 11 mm para largura e 13 mm para comprimento. Conclusão: Na reconstrução do LCA, a retirada do fragmento ósseo patelar mostrou-se segura para fragmentos menores que 11 mm de largura e 13 mm de comprimento, o que corresponde a 24% da largura e 28% do comprimento da patela utilizada. Nível de Evidência II, Estudo Prospectivo Comparativo.

Social Vulnerability of Brazilian Metropolitan Schools and Teachers' Absence from Work Due to Vocal and Psychological Symptoms: A Multilevel Analysis.

Teachers' voices and psychological symptoms are the main reasons for absence from work. The objectives of this study were: (i) to spatially represent, through a webGIS, the standardized rates of teachers' absences due to voice (outcome 1) and psychological symptoms (outcome 2) in each Brazilian Federative Unit (FU = 26 states plus Federal District) and (ii) to analyze the relationship between each national outcome rate and the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) of the municipality where urban schools are located, adjusted for sex, age, and working conditions. This cross-sectional study comprised 4979 randomly sampled teachers working in basic education urban schools, of which 83.3% are women. The national absence rates were 17.25% for voice symptoms and 14.93% for psychological symptoms. The rates, SVI, and school locations in the 27 FUs are dynamically visualized in webGIS. The multilevel multivariate logistic regression model showed a positive association between voice outcome and high/very high SVI (OR = 1.05 [1.03; 1.07]), whereas psychological symptoms were negatively associated with high/very high SVI (OR = 0.86 [0.85 0.88]) and positively associated with intermediate SVI (OR = 1.15 [1.13; 1.16]), in contrast with low/very low SVI. Being a woman (voice: OR = 1.36 [1.35; 1.38]; psychological: 1.22 [1.21; 1.24]) and working in schools with various precarious conditions (17 variables) increased the odds of being absent due to voice and psychological symptoms. The results confirm the need for investments to improve working conditions in schools.

Is there progression of endolymphatic hydrops in Ménière's disease? Longitudinal magnetic resonance study.

BACKGROUND: Endolymphatic hydrops (EH) is universal in Ménière´s disease (MD). Given its chronic course, with variable interval before complete clinical picture is installed, it seems relevant to understand the progression of vestibular EH and hemato-perilymphatic barrier disruption in patients with MD and monosymptomatic presentations. METHODS: 239 consecutive patients were referred to us with suspected hydropic ear disease. 50 individuals accepted to participate in this study-final longitudinal sample included 24 patients (7 D1, 7 D2, 10 D3). Control group included ten patients. At recruitment, a clinical and MRI re-evaluation was done (3T, intravenous technique) (MR2) and 2 years after MRI was repeated (MR3). Previous MRI (MRI1) were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were classified as definite (D1), possible (D2) and atypical (D3-monosymptomatic) MD. Control group included non-typical symptoms (C2/C3) and 6 asymptomatic (C1). Vestibular endolymphatic ratio (vER) and grading, presence/absence of cochlear EH, asymmetry of cochlear perilymphatic enhancement, and rate of progression of vER were assessed by two independent neuroradiologists and compared between patient and control groups (index ear). RESULTS: EH was universal and pronounced in D1 and remained stable. vER progression was more variable and higher in some D3 patients (index ear worse) and in D2 (non-index), although this observation was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that many probable and monosymptomatic presentations progress years later into definite MD and given the bilateral tendency of the disease, these findings may indicate that there is an initial accelerated worsening of EH in initial stages of the disease. These data should be confirmed with controlled and larger sample studies.

Patellar fracture in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: in vitro analysis / Fratura patelar na reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior: análise in vitro

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine, by biomechanical analysis, safe patellar cut limits in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction that minimize fracture risks. Methods: From three-dimensional reconstruction, triangular cuts were made in the patella, with a depth of 6.5 mm and variable width and length (10 to 20 mm and 8 to 12 mm, respectively, both with an interval of 1 mm). The combinations of cuts constituted 55 models for tests, with five variations in width and 11 variations in length, tested with the finite element method (FEM). Results: The mean of the localized principal maximum (traction force) values was 4.36 Pa (SD 0.87 ± 0.76) and the localized principal minimum (compression force) was −4.33 Pa (SD 1.05 ± 1.11). Comparing width and length to the tension force of the values of the main maximum, we found statistical significance from 11 mm for width and 13 mm for length. Conclusion: In ACL reconstruction, the removal of the patellar bone fragment is safe for fragments smaller than 11 mm in width and 13 mm in length, which corresponds to 24% of the width and 28% of the length of the patella used. Level of Evidence II, Comparative Prospective Study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar, por meio de análise biomecânica, os limites de corte patelar seguros para a reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) e que minimizem riscos de fratura. Métodos: A partir de reconstrução tridimensional, foram feitos cortes triangulares na patela, com profundidade de 6,5 mm e largura e comprimento variáveis (8 a 12 mm e 10 a 20 mm), respectivamente, com intervalo de 1 mm). As combinações dos cortes constituíram 55 modelos para ensaios, com 5 variações de largura e 11 variações de comprimento, ensaiados por meio do método dos elementos finitos (MEF). Resultados: A média dos valores da máxima principal localizada (força de tração) foi de 4,36 Pa (DP 0,87 ± 0,76), e a mínima principal localizada (força de compressão) foi de −4,33 Pa (DP 1,05 ± 1,11). Comparando largura e comprimento à força de tensões dos valores da máxima principal, houve significância estatística a partir de 11 mm para largura e 13 mm para comprimento. Conclusão: Na reconstrução do LCA, a retirada do fragmento ósseo patelar mostrou-se segura para fragmentos menores que 11 mm de largura e 13 mm de comprimento, o que corresponde a 24% da largura e 28% do comprimento da patela utilizada. Nível de Evidência II, Estudo Prospectivo Comparativo.

Multisource and temporal variability in Portuguese hospital administrative datasets: Data quality implications.

BACKGROUND: Unexpected variability across healthcare datasets may indicate data quality issues and thereby affect the credibility of these data for reutilization. No gold-standard reference dataset or methods for variability assessment are usually available for these datasets. In this study, we aim to describe the process of discovering data quality implications by applying a set of methods for assessing variability between sources and over time in a large hospital database. METHODS: We described and applied a set of multisource and temporal variability assessment methods in a large Portuguese hospitalization database, in which variation in condition-specific hospitalization ratios derived from clinically coded data were assessed between hospitals (sources) and over time. We identified condition-specific admissions using the Clinical Classification Software (CCS), developed by the Agency of Health Care Research and Quality. A Statistical Process Control (SPC) approach based on funnel plots of condition-specific standardized hospitalization ratios (SHR) was used to assess multisource variability, whereas temporal heat maps and Information-Geometric Temporal (IGT) plots were used to assess temporal variability by displaying temporal abrupt changes in data distributions. Results were presented for the 15 most common inpatient conditions (CCS) in Portugal. MAIN FINDINGS: Funnel plot assessment allowed the detection of several outlying hospitals whose SHRs were much lower or higher than expected. Adjusting SHR for hospital characteristics, beyond age and sex, considerably affected the degree of multisource variability for most diseases. Overall, probability distributions changed over time for most diseases, although heterogeneously. Abrupt temporal changes in data distributions for acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure coincided with the periods comprising the transition to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modification, whereas changes in the Diagnosis-Related Groups software seem to have driven changes in data distributions for both acute myocardial infarction and liveborn admissions. The analysis of heat maps also allowed the detection of several discontinuities at hospital level over time, in some cases also coinciding with the aforementioned factors. CONCLUSIONS: This paper described the successful application of a set of reproducible, generalizable and systematic methods for variability assessment, including visualization tools that can be useful for detecting abnormal patterns in healthcare data, also addressing some limitations of common approaches. The presented method for multisource variability assessment is based on SPC, which is an advantage considering the lack of gold standard for such process. Properly controlling for hospital characteristics and differences in case-mix for estimating SHR is critical for isolating data quality-related variability among data sources. The use of IGT plots provides an advantage over common methods for temporal variability assessment due its suitability for multitype and multimodal data, which are common characteristics of healthcare data. The novelty of this work is the use of a set of methods to discover new data quality insights in healthcare data.

Evaluation of a Locking Autocompression Screw Model in Pauwels Type-3 Femoral Neck Fracture: In Vitro Analysis.

Femoral neck fractures in young adults are uncommon, resulting from high-energy trauma. Despite their infrequency in this population, there is higher rate of complications, especially in the more vertical fracture line, classified by Pauwels as a type-3 femoral neck fracture. The implant type is of paramount importance for maintaining anatomical reduction, since it must resist the deforming forces that act on the fracture. We comparatively evaluated two constructions of the novel locking autocompression implant (X-PIN and X-PIN+P) using the finite element method and previously established methods for treating Pauwels type-3 femoral neck fractures. Six fixation models were developed for the study: a dynamic hip screw (DHS), a DHS with an anti-rotation screw (DHS+P), the inverted triangle multiple cannulated screws construction (ASNIS), the multiple cannulated screws in an L-configuration (L), and the two models of the novel locking autocompression screw (X-PIN and X-PIN+P). Under the same conditions with a load of 2100 N, the following parameters were evaluated using SIMLAB® software: the main maximum (Max P), main minimum (Min P), localized maximum P1 (Max P1), localized maximum P2 (Max P2), total displacement, localized displacement, rotation displacement, and von Mises stress. Compared to the DHS+P and ASNIS models, the X-PIN+P model presented, respectively, increases of 51.6% and 64.7% for Max P, 85% and 247% for Min P, and 18.9% and 166.7% for von Mises stress. Max P1 did not differ between the models, but Max P2 was 55% and 50% lower for X-PIN+P than ASNIS and L, respectively. All displacement values were lower for X-PIN+P than the other models. In this FEM testing, the X-PIN+P was superior to the other models, which was due to improvement in all parameters of stress distribution, displacement, and von Mises stress compared to models using a lateral plate (DHS and DHS+P) or not (ASNIS and L).

Technical Report: Percutaneous Reductions on Gartland Type III Supracondylar Fractures.

Various surgical treatments for supracondylar fracture in children remain the motive of research and study. A common factor in each technique is anatomic reduction, which is critical for the excellent recovery of the fracture. Anatomic reduction is preferably realized through closed and percutaneous approaches. This study aimed to present a closed percutaneous technique to treat Gartland III supracondylar fractures to aggregate a facilitating factor in the surgical approach to this condition. Our technique was applied to surgical patients in orthopedic and traumatology emergency care and illustrated by a synthetic elbow model, including soft tissue and intraoperative images.

Portuguese Primary Healthcare and Prevention Quality Indicators for Diabetes Mellitus - A Data Envelopment Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a worldwide public health priority. The increasing prevalence and the budget constraints force to have effective healthcare, especially at the primary healthcare (PHC) level. We aim to assess primary care efficiency considering the best use of human resources to produce optimal diabetes care in terms of prevention quality indicators (PQIs) rates across national ACES (health centre groupings). METHODS: We conducted a two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) to assess the technical efficiency of 54 Portuguese primary care health centre groupings for the 2016-2017 biennium. In the first stage, efficiency scores were obtained through five output-oriented DEA models under vector return to scale (VRS) assumption, using three input variables representing key primary care human resources and one output representing each one of the five PQIs related to diabetes. In the second stage, Tobit regression models were estimated to assess the determinants of primary care efficiency in diabetes care. RESULTS: A total of 13 ACES reached the efficiency frontier. Better managing human resources could reduce PQI rates by 52.3% in 2016 and 49.1% in 2017. Higher proportion of patients under 65 years old and better controlled with a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≤6.5% were associated with better efficiency in diabetes care, whereas higher prevalence of DM and unemployment worsened hospitalizations rates by diabetes short-term complications and lower-extremity amputation. CONCLUSION: Inefficiency in DM care was found in most of the primary care settings which can substantially improve the avoidable hospitalization rates by DM using their current level human resources. These findings help to improve diabetes care by targeting human resources at primary care level, which should be integrated into performance assessments considering broader and integrated scopes.

Nationwide Access to Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: Since the publication of endovascular treatment trials and European Stroke Guidelines, Portugal has re-organized stroke healthcare. The nine centers performing endovascular treatment are not equally distributed within the country, which may lead to differential access to endovascular treatment. Our main aim was to perform a descriptive analysis of the main treatment metrics regarding endovascular treatment in mainland Portugal and its administrative districts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective national multicentric cohort study was conducted, including all ischemic stroke patients treated with endovascular treatment in mainland Portugal over two years (July 2015 to June 2017). All endovascular treatment centers contributed to an anonymized database. Demographic, stroke-related and procedure-related variables were collected. Crude endovascular treatment rates were calculated per 100 000 inhabitants for mainland Portugal, and each district and endovascular treatment standardized ratios (indirect age-sex standardization) were also calculated. Patient time metrics were computed as the median time between stroke onset, first-door, and puncture. RESULTS: A total of 1625 endovascular treatment procedures were registered. The endovascular treatment rate was 8.27/100 000 inhabitants/year. We found regional heterogeneity in endovascular treatment rates (1.58 to 16.53/100 000/year), with higher rates in districts closer to endovascular treatment centers. When analyzed by district, the median time from stroke onset to puncture ranged from 212 to 432 minutes, reflecting regional heterogeneity. DISCUSSION: Overall endovascular treatment rates and procedural times in Portugal are comparable to other international registries. We found geographic heterogeneity, with lower endovascular treatment rates and longer onset-to-puncture time in southern and inner regions. CONCLUSION: The overall national rate of EVT in the first two years after the organization of EVT-capable centers is one of the highest among European countries, however, significant regional disparities were documented. Moreover, stroke-onset-to-first-door times and in-hospital procedural times in the EVT centers were comparable to those reported in the randomized controlled trials performed in high-volume tertiary hospitals.

Introdução: A aprovação do tratamento endovascular para o acidente vascular cerebral isquémico obrigou à reorganização dos cuidados de saúde em Portugal. Os nove centros que realizam tratamento endovascular não estão distribuídos equitativamente pelo território, o que poderá causar acesso diferencial a tratamento. O principal objetivo deste estudo é realizar uma análise descritiva da frequência e métricas temporais do tratamento endovascular em Portugal continental e seus distritos. Material e Métodos: Estudo de coorte nacional multicêntrico, incluindo todos os doentes com acidente vascular cerebral isquémico submetidos a tratamento endovascular em Portugal continental durante um período de dois anos (julho 2015 a junho 2017). Foram colhidos dados demográficos, relacionados com o acidente vascular cerebral e variáveis do procedimento. Taxas de tratamento endovascular brutas e ajustadas (ajuste indireto a idade e sexo) foram calculadas por 100 000 habitantes/ano para Portugal continental e cada distrito. Métricas de procedimento como tempo entre instalação, primeira porta e punção foram também analisadas. Resultados: Foram registados 1625 tratamentos endovasculares, indicando uma taxa bruta nacional de tratamento endovascular de 8,27/100 000 habitantes/ano. As taxas de tratamento endovascular entre distritos variaram entre 1,58 e 16,53/100 000/ano, com taxas mais elevadas nos distritos próximos a hospitais com tratamento endovascular. O tempo entre sintomas e punção femural entre distritos variou entre 212 e 432 minutos. Discussão: A análise nacional a taxas de tratamento endovascular e tempos de atuação é comparável a outros registos internacionais. Verificaram-se heterogeneidades geográficas, com taxas de tratamento endovascular menores e maior tempo para tratamento nos distritos do sul e interior. Conclusão: Portugal continental apresenta uma taxa nacional de tratamento endovascular elevada, apresentando, contudo, assimetrias regionais no acesso. As métricas temporais foram comparáveis com as observadas nos ensaios clínicos piloto.

Analysis of root causes of problems affecting the quality of hospital administrative data: A systematic review and Ishikawa diagram.

INTRODUCTION: Administrative hospital databases represent an important tool for hospital financing in many national health systems and are also an important data source for clinical, epidemiological and health services research. Therefore, the data quality of such databases is of utmost importance. This paper aims to present a systematic review of root causes of data quality problems affecting administrative hospital data, creating a catalogue of potential issues for data quality analysts to explore. METHODS: The MEDLINE and Scopus databases were searched using inclusion criteria based on two following concept blocks: (1) administrative hospital databases and (2) data quality. Studies' titles and abstracts were screened by two reviewers independently. Three researchers independently selected the screened studies based on their full texts and then extracted the potential root causes inferred from them. These were subsequently classified according to the Ishikawa model based on 6 categories: "Personnel", "Material", "Method", "Machine", "Mission" and "Management". RESULTS: The result of our investigation and the contribution of this paper is a classification of the potential (105) root causes found through a systematic review of the 77 relevant studies we have identified and analyzed. The result was represented by an Ishikawa diagram. Most of the root causes (25.7%) were associated with the category "Personnel" - people's knowledge, preferences, education and culture, mostly related to clinical coders and health care providers activities. The quality of hospital documentation, within category "Material", and aspects related to financial incentives or disincentives, within category "Mission", were also frequently cited in the literature as relevant root causes for data quality issues. CONCLUSIONS: The resultant catalogue of root causes, systematized using the Ishikawa framework, provides a compilation of potential root causes of data quality issues to be considered prior to reusing these data and that can point to actions aimed at improving data quality.

Placenta percreta com invasão de bexiga: um relato de caso / Percretal placenta with bladder invasion: a case report

O acretismo placentário consiste na aderência anormal da placenta na parede uterina. Ao aderir-se diretamente ao miométrio, denomina-se placenta acreta; ao estender-se mais profundamente, placenta increta, e ao invadir a serosa uterina ou órgãos adjacentes, percreta. O fator de risco mais frequente constitui cesarianas anteriores. Paciente 27 anos, G3P1CA1 (cesariana há 8 anos/ parto prematuro 25 sem há 4 anos), IG: 25sem3d; com alteração da vitalidade fetal e placenta prévia com sinais de acretismo (sugerindo placenta percreta). Foi indicada a interrupção da gestação com 27 semanas e 1 dia. No período intraoperatório foi evidenciada, por meio de ultrassom, presença de acretismo placentário com invasão miometrial e invasão de serosa vesical sendo posteriormente realizado a histerectomia subtotal e rafia das lacerações da mucosa vesical. A placenta percreta é mais frequente em grávidas com placenta prévia no local da cicatriz de cesariana e o órgão mais frequentemente acometido é a bexiga; estando associada a maior morbimortalidade materna. O diagnóstico definitivo é anatomopatológico, porém é presumível durante a cirurgia abdominal com a visualização da invasão placentária, devendo ser confirmado por Histopatologia.

Placental accretism consists of abnormal placental adherence to the uterine wall. When adhering directly to the myometrium it is called placenta accreta; when extending more deeply, placenta increta; and when invading the uterine serosa or adjacent organs, percrete. The most frequent risk factor is previous cesarean sections. The patient is 27 years old with altered fetal vitality and placenta previa with signs of accreation (suggesting percretal placenta). Pregnancy termination at 27 weeks and one day was indicated. In the intraoperative period, the presence of placental accretion with myometrial invasion and bladder serous invasion was evidenced by ultrasound, with subtotal hysterectomy and raffia of lacerations of the bladder afterwards. The percretal placenta is more frequent in pregnant women with placenta previa at the site of the scar of a cesarean section and the organ most frequently affected is the bladder; being associated with higher maternal morbidity and mortality. The definitive diagnosis is anatomopathological, but it is presumed during abdominal surgery with the visualization of the placental invasion and must be confirmed by Histopathology

Geospatial Analysis of Environmental Atmospheric Risk Factors in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Despite the vast evidence on the environmental influence in neurodegenerative diseases, those considering a geospatial approach are scarce. We conducted a systematic review to identify studies concerning environmental atmospheric risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases that have used geospatial analysis/tools. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for all scientific studies that included a neurodegenerative disease, an environmental atmospheric factor, and a geographical analysis. Of the 34 included papers, approximately 60% were related to multiple sclerosis (MS), hence being the most studied neurodegenerative disease in the context of this study. Sun exposure (n = 13) followed by the most common exhaustion gases (n = 10 for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and n = 5 for carbon monoxide (CO)) were the most studied atmospheric factors. Only one study used a geospatial interpolation model, although 13 studies used remote sensing data to compute atmospheric factors. In 20% of papers, we found an inverse correlation between sun exposure and multiple sclerosis. No consensus was reached in the analysis of nitrogen dioxide and Parkinson's disease, but it was related to dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This systematic review (number CRD42020196188 in PROSPERO's database) provides an insight into the available evidence regarding the geospatial influence of environmental factors on neurodegenerative diseases.

Landscapes on Prevention Quality Indicators: A Spatial Analysis of Diabetes Preventable Hospitalizations in Portugal (2016-2017).

Preventable hospitalizations due to complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), represented by the related prevention quality indicators (PQI), are ambulatory care-sensitive conditions that can be prevented and controlled through effective primary health care (PHC) treatment. It is important to reduce mortality and promote the quality of life to diabetic patients in regions with higher hospitalization rates. The study aims to analyze the results of the DM age-sex-adjusted PQI, by groups of health centers (ACES), distributed in the Portuguese territory. The most representative PQI at a national level were identified, and the trends were mapped and analyzed. Also, it presents the ACES with the highest age-adjusted rates of avoidable hospitalizations for DM. The absolute number of preventable hospitalizations for all DM complications in Portugal has decreased by 20%, thus passing from the rate of 79 in 2016 to 65.2/100,000 inhabitants in 2017. Despite the improvement in results for PQI 03, 20 of 48 ACES that were above the national 2017 median rate in 2016, achieved better results the following year, and for the overall preventable diabetes hospitalizations (PQI 93) only 11 out 39, revealing the need for further studies and PHC actions to improve the diabetic quality of life.

Comparison and Impact of Four Different Methodologies for Identification of Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions.

Ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) are conditions for which hospitalizations are thought to be avoidable if effective and accessible primary health care is available. However, to define which conditions are considered ACSCs, there is a considerable number of different lists. Our aim was to compare the impact of using different ACSC lists considering mainland Portugal hospitalizations. A retrospective study with inpatient data from Portuguese public hospital discharges between 2011 and 2015 was conducted. Four ACSC list sources were considered: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the Victorian Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions study, and Sarmento et al. Age-sex-adjusted rates of ACSCs were calculated by district (hospitalizations per 100,000 inhabitants). Spearman's rho, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the information-based measure of disagreement (IBMD), and Bland and Altman plots were computed. Results showed that by applying the four lists, different age-sex-adjusted rates are obtained. However, the lists that seemed to demonstrate greater agreement and consistency were the list proposed by Sarmento et al. compared to AHRQ and the AHRQ method compared to the Victorian list. It is important to state that we should compare comparable indicators and ACSC lists cannot be used interchangeably.

Understanding the large heterogeneity in hospital readmissions and mortality for acute myocardial infarction.

This study aims to investigate the variation in two acute myocardial infarction (AMI) outcomes across public hospitals in Portugal. In-hospital mortality and 30-day unplanned readmissions were studied using two distinct AMI cohorts of adults discharged from all acute care public hospital centers in Portugal from 2012-2015. Hierarchical generalized linear models were used to assess the association between patient and hospital characteristics and hospital variability in the two outcomes. Our findings indicate that hospitals are not performing homogeneously-the risk of adverse events tends to be consistently larger in some hospitals and consistently lower in other hospitals. While patient characteristics accounted for a larger share of the explained between-hospital variance, hospital characteristics explain an additional 8% and 10% of hospital heterogeneity in the mortality and the readmission cohorts respectively. Admissions to hospitals with low AMI caseloads or located in Alentejo/Algarve and Lisbon had a higher risk of mortality. Discharges from larger-sized hospitals were associated with increased risk of readmissions. Future health policies should incorporate these findings in order to incentivize more consistent health care outcomes across hospitals. Further investigation addressing geographical disparities, hospital caseload and practices is needed to direct actions of improvement to specific hospitals.

European Union state of health from 1990 to 2017: time trends and its enlargements' effects.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study health status' time trends in the European Union (EU) during 1990-2017 and its enlargements' impact. METHODS: Using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 study and calculating age-sex-standardized rates, we have described time trends and analysed the differences between EU groups regarding the state of health. Interrupted time-series analyses were also performed in order to assess the enlargement impact in the EU state of health. RESULTS: All age-sex-standardized rates (mortality, years of life lost, years lived with disability and disability-adjusted life years) declined (annualized rates of change of - 1.7%, - 1.52%, - 0.06% and - 1.01%, respectively) between 1990 and 2017 (except between 2014 and 2015). For EU-28, life expectancy and healthy life expectancy increased 5.9 and 4.6 years, respectively. With the EU-25 and EU-27 enlargements, all age-sex-standardized rates and life expectancies worsened (with statistical significance). The EU-28 enlargement revealed the same tendency, contrasting with the EU-15 one. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the EU health status is improving, despite changes in its composition over the years. However, the average EU state of health declined with the 2004, 2007 and 2013 EU enlargements.