Percutaneous nephrostomy versus ureteral stent in hydronephrosis secondary to obstructive urolithiasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess if there is a preferable intervention between retrograde ureteral stent (RUS) and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) tube, in cases of upper urinary tract stone obstruction with complications requiring urgent drainage, by evaluating outcomes regarding urinary symptoms, quality of life (QoL), spontaneous stone passage, and length of hospital stays, since there is no literature stating the superiority of one modality over the other. Methods: We searched MEDLINE and other sources for relevant articles in June 2019 without any date restrictions or filters applied. The selection was done first by the title and abstract screening and then by full-text assessment for eligibility. Only randomized controlled trials or cohort studies in patients with hydronephrosis secondary to obstructive urolithiasis that presented comparative data between PCN and RUS placement concerning at least one of the defined outcome measures were included. Lastly, MEDLINE database and PubMed platform were screened again using the same terms, from June 2019 until November 2022. Results: Of 556 initial articles, seven were included in this review. Most works were considered of moderate-to-high quality. Three studies regarding QoL showed a tendency against stenting, even though only one demonstrated statistically significant negative impact on overall health state. Two works reported significantly more post-intervention urinary symptoms in stenting patients. One article found that PCN is a significant predictor of spontaneous stone passage, when adjusted for stone size and location. Findings on length of hospital stays were not consistent among articles. Conclusion: PCN appears to be the intervention better tolerated, with less impact on the patient's perceived QoL and less post-operative urinary symptoms, in comparison with RUS. Nevertheless, further studies with larger samples and a randomized controlled design are suggested.

The rehabilitation workforce in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The surge in individuals facing functional impairments has heightened the demand for rehabilitation services. Understanding the distribution of the rehabilitation workforce is pivotal for effective health system planning to address the population's health needs. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the spatial and temporal dispersion of physical therapists, speech therapists, psychologists and occupational therapists across various tiers of care within Brazil's Unified Health System and its regions. METHOD: This is an ecological time series study on the supply of rehabilitation professionals. Data were obtained from the National Register of Health Establishments from 2007 to 2020. The density of professionals was calculated per 10,000 inhabitants annually for Brazil and its five regions. The Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the temporal trends of the density of professionals, considering a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: In 2020, the most notable concentrations of psychologists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists in Brazil were observed in the domain of Specialized Health Care, with densities of 0.60, 0.20, and 0.16 professionals per 10,000 inhabitants, respectively. Conversely, the highest density of physical therapists was found within Hospital Health Care, with a density of 1.19 professionals per 10,000 inhabitants. Notably, variations in professional dispersion across different regions were apparent. Primary Health Care exhibited the highest density of professionals in the Northeast region, while the Southern region accounted for the highest densities in all professional categories within Specialized Health Care. The southeast region exhibited the largest workforce within Hospital Health Care. A marked upsurge in professional availability was noted across all categories, notably in the occupational therapy sector within hospital care (AAPC: 30.8), despite its initial low density. CONCLUSION: The implementation of public health policies played a significant role in the expansion of the rehabilitation workforce at all three levels of care in Brazil and its various regions from 2007 to 2020. Consequently, regional disparities and densities of professionals have emerged, mirroring patterns observed in low-income countries.

The Brazilian primary health care response to the COVID-19 pandemic: individual and collective approaches.

Objectives: Brazil's PHC wide coverage has a potential role in the fight against COVID, especially in less developed regions. PHC should deal with COVID-19 treatment; health surveillance; continuity of care; and social support. This article aims to analyze PHC performance profiles during the pandemic, in these axes, comparing the five Brazilian macro-regions. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was carried out, using stratified probability sampling of PHC facilities (PHCF). A Composite Index was created, the Covid PHC Index (CPI). Factor analysis revealed that collective actions contrastingly behaved to individual actions. We verified differences in the distributions of CPI components between macro-regions and their associations with structural indicators. Results: Nine hundred and seven PHCF participated in the survey. The CPI and its axes did not exceed 70, with the highest value in surveillance (70) and the lowest in social support (59). The Individual dimension scored higher in the South, whereas the Collective dimension scored higher in the Northeast region. PHCF with the highest CPI belong to municipalities with lower HDI, GDP per capita, population, number of hospitals, and ICU beds. Conclusion: The observed profiles, individually and collectively-oriented, convey disputes on Brazilian health policies since 2016, and regional structural inequalities.

The Efficacy of Fosfomycin as Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Transrectal Prostate Biopsy and Impact on Lower Urinary Tract Symptom After Biopsy: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: Due to fluoroquinolone resistances worldwide, valid alternatives for anti- biotic prophylaxis for transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy are needed, thus, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of prophylactic fosfomycin versus other oral prolonged antibiotic regimens, in preventing complications after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. METHODS: In this prospective study, patients submitted to transrectal ultrasound- guided prostate biopsy were divided into 2 groups according to the prophylactic antibiotic scheme performed: "short" (2 fosfomycin doses) versus "long" (antibiotic ≥ 8 days). One week and 1 month after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy, we assessed complications' occurrence (lower urinary tract symptoms, fever, sepsis, hemorrhage) and adverse drug reactions. RESULTS: We included 244 patients (fosfomycin n=178, "long" antibiotic n=66). The only significant difference between groups was higher lower urinary tract symptom incidence 1 month after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy in fosfomy- cin patients (16.85% vs. 6.06%, P=.031). However, after 1 week, lower urinary tract symptoms were tendentially frequenter on "long" antibiotic group (31.81% vs. 25.84%, P = .059). Infectious and hemorrhagic complications rate, adverse drug reactions, and recurrence to health services were similar between groups, and significantly decreased between the first week and first month. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic prophylaxis seems to impact lower urinary tract symptoms after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. Fosfomycin may provide slightly better outcome on the immediate period, while "long" antibiotic courses lead to significantly less lower urinary tract symptoms 1 month post-transrectal ultrasound-guided pros- tate biopsy, perhaps by preventing incipient prostatitis phenomena. Future directed studies should clarify these findings. Still, it seems feasible to ally fosfomycin advan- tages with noninferior safety, efficacy, and tolerability, allowing to reserve "long" regimens to other contexts. This is especially relevant in centers where transperineal biopsies are still not possible.

Renal anastomosing haemangioma.

Anastomosing haemangioma is a rare subtype of haemangioma, a benign vascular tumour. Its rarity stems from its low incidence and difficulty in obtaining an accurate diagnosis. In addition, its histological resemblance to malignant neoplasms may lead to unnecessary overtreatment. Here, we report the case of an asymptomatic male patient with a slight increase in kidney function who underwent an abdominal ultrasound and a CT scan for suspected renal cell carcinoma. Subsequently, the patient underwent laparoscopic left radical nephrectomy. Histological analysis revealed an anastomosing haemangioma. The patient is currently asymptomatic with no relapse or imaging progression. We also present a literature review on anastomosing haemangioma.

Functional recovery of injured cavernous nerves achieved through endogenous nerve growth factor-containing bioactive fibrous membrane.

Radical prostatectomy is a highly successful treatment for prostate cancer, among the most prevalent manifestations of the illness. Damage of the cavernous nerve (CN) during prostatectomy is the main cause of postoperative erectile dysfunction (ED). In this study, the capability of a personalized bioactive fibrous membrane to regenerate injured CN was investigated. The fibrous membrane bioactivity is conferred by the selectively bound nerve growth factor (NGF) present in the rat urine. In a rat model of bilateral CN crush, the implanted bioactive fibrous membrane induces CN regeneration and restoration of erectile function, showing a significantly increased number of smooth muscle cells and content of endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthases (eNOS; nNOS). In addition, the bioactive fibrous membrane promotes nerve regeneration by increasing the number of myelinated axons and nNOS-positive cells, therefore reversing the CN fibrosis found in untreated rats or rats treated with a bare fibrous membrane. Therefore, this personalized regenerative strategy could overcome the recognized drawbacks of currently available treatments for CN injuries. It may constitute an effective treatment for prostate cancer patients suffering from ED after being subject to radical prostatectomy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The present work introduces a unique strategy to address post-surgical ED resulting from CN injury during pelvic surgery (e.g., radical prostatectomy, radical cystoprostatectomy, abdominoperineal resection). It comprises a bioactive and cell-free fibrous implant, customized to enhance CN recovery. Pre-clinical results in a rat model of bilateral CN crush demonstrated that the bioactive fibrous implant can effectively heal injured CN, and restore penile structure and function. This implant selectively binds NGF from patient fluids (i.e. urine) due to its functionalized surface and high surface area. Moreover, its local implantation reduces adverse side effects. This tailored regenerative approach has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of ED in prostate cancer patients following radical prostatectomy, overcoming current treatment limitations.

Specialized Rehabilitation Centers (CER) in the SUS and the impact of the covid-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the functioning of Specialized Rehabilitation Centers (CER) in the SUS. METHODS: An analysis of the variation in outpatient production of the CER was carried out based on data from the Outpatient Information System of the Unified Health System (SIA-SUS) from March 2019 to December 2021. Such results were compared with CER managers' perceptions about the impacts of the pandemic on the units, measured by a web survey applied between November 2020 and February 2021. Monthly averages of 247 procedures were calculated, organized into 18 groups, for three periods - year before the pandemic (YBP) and first (YP1) and second (YP2) years of the pandemic. Through the online form, information was collected on: operation and organization of services; post-covid-19 rehabilitation; actions to support the needs of users and professionals; strategies and challenges experienced. RESULTS: There was a 33.3% reduction in the total number of procedures in YP1 compared to YBP. There were no reductions in procedures performed by nurses and for ostomates. There was greater impairment for group activities, visual therapies and home visits. In YP2, there was a recovery of averages in relation to YBP in 11 groups of procedures, with an increase of 104.1% in Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy. In the answers to the online form, 91.7% of the managers indicate structural and/or organizational changes in the CER, such as: creation of prioritization criteria for assistance; introduction of telerehabilitation; changes in the work process and; provision of professional training. Half of the CER already treated people with covid-19 sequelae, but not all of them had been trained to do so. Limitations in participation and social support for PWD were identified. CONCLUSIONS: There was a severe impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the CER. Added to the damming up of previous demands are those of post-covid-19 users, configuring a challenging picture. It is necessary to strengthen the Care Network for Persons with Disabilities, with expansion and greater integration of services and a more inclusive organization to overcome these challenges.

Desafios para a implementação da Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência em uma região de saúde: um olhar a partir das dimensões política, organização e estrutura / Challenges for the implementation of the Care Network for Persons with Disabilities in a health region: a look from the dimensions policy, organization, and structure

Resumo Pessoas com deficiência (PCD) vivenciam profundas desigualdades sociais e no acesso à saúde. A Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência (RCPD) foi instituída em 2012, com o objetivo de melhorar esse acesso de forma equânime e igualitária. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a implementação e os condicionantes da RCPD na região de saúde de São José do Rio Preto. Este é um estudo de caso exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa e quantitativa, ancorado no instrumental de análise de políticas públicas. As dimensões política, organização e estrutura nortearam a análise dos resultados. Foram realizadas entrevistas com 37 atores-chave da gestão, prestadores e da sociedade. O Ministério da Saúde é considerado protagonista pela definição da política e repasse de recursos financeiros. O ente estadual é prestador de serviços e conciliador de demandas municipais através do grupo condutor da RCPD. A inexistência de um sistema de regulação assistencial é um entrave para a organização da rede. Serviços contratualizados decidem quem terá acesso a seu atendimento, não respeitando fluxos pactuados. A estrutura dos serviços de reabilitação, com exceção do Centro Especializado em Reabilitação, não foi orientada pelas necessidades de saúde, mas pela existência dos serviços no território. Evidenciam-se barreiras para a garantia do direito à saúde que perpetuam desigualdades vividas pelas PCD.

Abstract People with Disabilities (PWD) experience profound inequalities both social and in the access to health. The Care Network for Persons with Disabilities (Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência, RCPD) was established in 2012, with the goal of improving this access in an equitable and equal manner. This article aims to analyze the implementation and constraints of the implementation and the conditionings of the RCPD in the health region of São José do Rio Preto. This is an exploratory case study, of qualitative and quantitative approach, anchored in the instrumental of public policy analysis. The dimensions of policy, organization, and structure guided the analysis of results. Interviews were conducted with 37 key players from management, providers, and society. The Ministry of Health is considered the protagonist in defining policy and transferring financial resources. The state agency is the service provider and conciliator of municipal demands by the RCPD leading group. The lack of an assistance regulation system is an obstacle to the network organization. Contracted services decide who will have access to care, not respecting agreed flows. The structure of rehabilitation services, with the exception of the Specialized Rehabilitation Center, was not guided by health needs but by the existence of services in the territory. Barriers to guaranteeing the right to health are evident, perpetuating the inequalities experienced by the PWD.

Specialized Rehabilitation Centers (CER) in the SUS and the impact of the covid-19 pandemic / Centros Especializados em Reabilitação (CER) no SUS e o impacto da pandemia de covid-19

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the functioning of Specialized Rehabilitation Centers (CER) in the SUS. METHODS An analysis of the variation in outpatient production of the CER was carried out based on data from the Outpatient Information System of the Unified Health System (SIA-SUS) from March 2019 to December 2021. Such results were compared with CER managers' perceptions about the impacts of the pandemic on the units, measured by a web survey applied between November 2020 and February 2021. Monthly averages of 247 procedures were calculated, organized into 18 groups, for three periods - year before the pandemic (YBP) and first (YP1) and second (YP2) years of the pandemic. Through the online form, information was collected on: operation and organization of services; post-covid-19 rehabilitation; actions to support the needs of users and professionals; strategies and challenges experienced. RESULTS There was a 33.3% reduction in the total number of procedures in YP1 compared to YBP. There were no reductions in procedures performed by nurses and for ostomates. There was greater impairment for group activities, visual therapies and home visits. In YP2, there was a recovery of averages in relation to YBP in 11 groups of procedures, with an increase of 104.1% in Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy. In the answers to the online form, 91.7% of the managers indicate structural and/or organizational changes in the CER, such as: creation of prioritization criteria for assistance; introduction of telerehabilitation; changes in the work process and; provision of professional training. Half of the CER already treated people with covid-19 sequelae, but not all of them had been trained to do so. Limitations in participation and social support for PWD were identified. CONCLUSIONS There was a severe impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the CER. Added to the damming up of previous demands are those of post-covid-19 users, configuring a challenging picture. It is necessary to strengthen the Care Network for Persons with Disabilities, with expansion and greater integration of services and a more inclusive organization to overcome these challenges.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Analisar o impacto da pandemia de covid-19 no funcionamento dos Centros Especializados em Reabilitação (CER) no SUS. MÉTODOS Realizou-se análise da variação da produção ambulatorial dos CER com base nos dados do Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIA-SUS) no período de março de 2019 a dezembro de 2021. Tais resultados foram cotejados com as percepções de gestores de CER acerca dos impactos da pandemia nas unidades, aferidas por websurvey aplicado entre novembro de 2020 e fevereiro de 2021. Foram calculadas as médias mensais de 247 procedimentos, organizados em 18 grupos, para três períodos - ano anterior à pandemia (APP), primeiro (AP1) e segundo (AP2) anos de pandemia. Por meio do formulário on-line foram coletadas informações sobre: funcionamento e organização dos serviços; reabilitação pós-covid-19; ações de apoio às necessidades de usuários e profissionais; estratégias e desafios vivenciados. RESULTADOS Houve redução de 33,3% do total de procedimentos em AP1 em relação a APP. Não foram reduzidos procedimentos realizados por enfermeiros e para pessoas ostomizadas. Ocorreu maior prejuízo para atividades em grupo, terapias visuais e visitas domiciliares. Em AP2, houve recuperação das médias em relação a APP em 11 grupos de procedimentos, com aumento de 104,1% de Fisioterapia Cardiorrespiratória. Nas respostas ao formulário on-line, 91,7% dos gestores indicam mudanças estruturais e/ou organizacionais nos CER como: criação de critérios de priorização para atendimentos; introdução de telerreabilitação; modificações no processo de trabalho e; disponibilização de capacitações profissionais. Metade dos CER já atendiam pessoas com sequelas de covid-19, mas nem todos haviam sido instrumentalizados para tanto. Identificaram-se limitações na participação e no suporte social para PCD. CONCLUSÕES Houve severo impacto da pandemia de covid-19 nos CER. Ao represamento de demandas prévias se somam aquelas de usuários pós-covid-19, configurando um quadro desafiador. Faz-se necessário fortalecimento da Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência, com ampliação e maior integração dos serviços e organização mais inclusiva para a superação desses desafios.

Implementação da Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência: na periferia da governança de São Paulo / Implementation of the Care Network for People with Disabilities: in the periphery of the São Paulo, Brazil, governance

Resumo A Rede de Cuidado à Pessoa com Deficiência (RCPD) foi implementada no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) para expandir o acesso aos serviços às pessoas com deficiência (PCD). Uma vez que seu funcionamento depende de mecanismos robustos de cooperação e pactuação entre os entes federados, este artigo analisa a dinâmica da Comissão Intergestores Bipartite (CIB) de São Paulo na condução da implementação da RCPD. Realizou-se uma análise documental das atas da CIB-SP de 2011 a 2019. O referencial teórico se pautou na análise de políticas públicas, utilizando abordagem multidimensional a partir das dimensões política, estrutura e organização. Na dimensão política, as pautas centrais são referentes à responsabilidade dos entes federados e demandas originárias do Ministério da Saúde e Ministério Público. A dimensão estrutura ocorre prioritariamente por pautas protocolares de informes de credenciamento/descredenciamento. Já na dimensão organização, foram classificadas como centrais: avaliação dos serviços; necessidades populacionais; oferta, fluxos, regulação assistencial e dispensação de órteses, próteses e meios auxiliares. Conclui-se que, quando não induzida por atores externos, a discussão é protocolar, reduzida aos informes de credenciamento de ações e serviços e adquire centralidade com demandas de órgãos externos e com o surgimento de novos problemas de saúde pública.

Abstract The Care Network for People with Disabilities (RCPD) was implemented in the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) to expand the access to services to people with disabilities (PWD). Since its functioning depends on robust cooperation and pact mechanisms between federated states, this article analyzes the dynamic of the Bipartite Inter-manager Commission (CIB) of São Paulo in implementing RCPD. Document analysis of the records of the CIB-SP from 2011 to 2019 was carried out. The theoretical referential was based on the analysis of public policies, using a multidimensional approach from the political, structural, and organizational dimensions. In the political dimension, the main rulings relate to the responsibilities of federated states and demands from the Ministry of Health and Public Ministry. The structural dimension comprises mainly protocol rulings regarding accreditation/de-accreditation. In the organizational dimension, at last, were classified as central: service evaluation; populational needs; offer, flow, regulation of assistance and dispensing of orthotics, prostheses, and auxiliary means. In conclusion, when it is not conducted by external actors, the discussion follows protocol, being reduced to accreditation informs of actions and services and gains centrality with demands from external organs and the emergence of new public health problems.

Cuidado fragmentado: resposta da Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência para crianças com Síndrome Congênita do Zika Vírus / Fragmented care: the response of the Persons with Disabilities Care Network to children with Congenital Zika Syndrome / Cuidado fragmentado: respuesta de la Red de Cuidados de la Persona con Discapacidad para niños con Síndrome Congénito del Zika Virus

Resumo O objetivo da pesquisa foi analisar a organização e estrutura que a Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência (RCPD) oferece às crianças com Síndrome Congênita do Zika Vírus (SCZV) na Região de Saúde de Salvador (BA). Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa que cotejou Itinerários Terapêuticos, das crianças com SCZV com a percepção, de gestores e profissionais da RCPD, sobre o funcionamento da rede. Ainda que existam concordâncias entre entrevistados, há problemas evidenciados somente pelas cuidadoras. Não existem mecanismos de regulação assistencial definidos entre os serviços da RCPD, levando as cuidadoras a navegarem pelo sistema de forma desgovernada em busca de assistência. A fragmentação do cuidado revelada impede o cuidado continuado e coordenado entre os diferentes serviços de saúde, resultando em intervenções pontuais. A SCZV coloca a proposta de RCPD em xeque, uma vez que há pouca congruência entre as trajetórias percorridas e a política nacional instituída.(AU)

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the organization and structure that the Persons with Disabilities Care Network (RCPD) offers children with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) in the Salvador Health Region (BA). We conducted a qualitative study to investigate the experiences of the children's caregivers based on therapeutic itineraries and the perceptions of RCPD managers and professionals. Despite general agreement between the interviewees, only the caregivers highlighted problems. There are no health care regulation defined among the RCPD services, meaning that caregivers had to browse the system aimlessly to search for care. The fragmentation of care revealed by the findings prevents the provision of continuous care coordinated between the different health services, resulting in ad hoc care interventions. CZS highlights the limitations of the RCPD, demonstrating the incongruence between practice and national policy.(AU)

Resumen Analizar la organización y estructura que la Red de Cuidados de la Persona con Discapacidad (RCPD) ofrece a los niños con Síndrome Congénito del Zika Virus (SCZV) en la Región de Salud de Salvador (Estado de Bahia). Investigación cualitativa que compara la experiencia de las cuidadoras de los niños con SCZV por medio de Itinerarios Terapéuticos y la percepción de gestores y profesionales de la RCPD. Aunque existen concordancias entre entrevistados, hay problemas que solamente son puestos en evidencia por las cuidadoras. No hay mecanismos de reglamentación asistencial definidos entre los servicios de la RCPD, haciendo que las cuidadoras naveguen por el sistema de manera desgobernada en busca de asistencia. La fragmentación del cuidado revelada impide el cuidado continuado y coordinado entre los diferentes servicios de salud, resultando en intervenciones puntuales. El SCZV pone en jaque la propuesta de RCPD puesto que hay poca congruencia entre las trayectorias recorridas y la política nacional instituida.(AU)

A Atenção Primária à Saúde e o cuidado aos usuários com COVID-19 nas regiões brasileiras / Primary Health Care and COVID-19 patient care across regions in Brazil

Resumo O objetivo foi caracterizar a atuação da atenção primária à saúde (APS) no cuidado aos usuários com COVID-19, identificando fatores facilitadores e os constrangimentos para a resposta das equipes de APS no enfrentamento à pandemia. Estudo transversal com amostra representativa das unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) brasileiras, na forma de inquérito. Participaram do estudo 907 UBS das cinco regiões do país. A coleta de dados foi entre julho e novembro de 2021, por meio de questionário on-line. Os resultados mostram que as UBS das regiões Sul e Sudeste tiveram melhores condições de enfrentamento da pandemia em termos de equipamentos de proteção e estrutura de comunicação e as UBS das regiões Norte e Nordeste tiveram melhor desempenho nas ações relacionadas à vigilância em saúde, atividades educativas, busca ativa de contatos, monitoramento de casos e notificação no sistema de vigilância de síndrome gripal. O processo de vacinação contra a COVID-19 ocorria em 70% das UBS em nível nacional, 28% tiveram que suspender a vacinação da primeira dose por falta do imunizante e 25% da segunda dose. Conclui-se que a APS brasileira realizou importante trabalho no enfrentamento à pandemia apesar das dificuldades decorrentes da ausência de uma coordenação nacional.

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the role of PHC in the delivery of care to COVID-19 patients, identifying facilitating factors and constraints to the response of PHC teams to the pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional survey-based study with a nationally representative sample of primary health care centers (PCCs). A total of 907 PCCs from the country's five regions participated in the study. Data was collected between July and November 2021 using an online survey. The results show that PCCs in the South and Southeast were better prepared to respond to the pandemic in terms of availability of personal protective equipment and communications facilities, while PCCs in the North and Northeast performed better for health surveillance actions, educational activities, contact tracing, case monitoring and notification of cases in the influenza surveillance system. Seventy per cent of PCCs administered COVID-19 vaccines at national level and 28% and 25% had to suspend the first and second doses of the vaccine, respectively. The findings show that primary care services played an important role in the response to the pandemic despite challenges caused by the lack of national coordination.

Same Colors for Different Functions: Implications for the Evolution of Carotenoid-Based Ornamentation.

AbstractSexual ornamentation is often assumed to be costly, allowing honest signaling of individual quality, and carotenoid-based colors have been proposed to bear significant costs. If carotenoid-based colors are costly to produce, sexually selected signals should use more concentrated carotenoid pigments and have more saturated color than nonsexual signals, where honesty-guaranteeing costs are not required. We tested this prediction comparing carotenoid-based colors across canaries, goldfinches, and allies because many of these species use yellow plumage as sexual ornamentation but also have yellow rumps that appear to be nonsexual flash marks. Only in the breast, but not the rump, was there an asymmetric codistribution of male and female color saturation, with males similarly or more saturated than females, indicating evolution of breast color by sexual selection. Yellow was not consistently more saturated in the breast than in the rump, and the codistribution of rump and breast color saturation indicated that saturated rumps can persist irrespective of breast color. This challenges the assumption that carotenoid-based colors bear significant costs. The use of carotenoid coloration as sexual signals in this clade may instead be due to social costs, cost-free index mechanisms for signaling quality, and/or socially monogamous species evolving low-cost signals to mostly discriminate against the lowest-quality mates.

Dying in the emergency service: nurses' attitudes before and after the first critical period of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Death is an increasingly frequent event in hospitals, and nurses are the health professionals who live with this reality the most. The pandemic caused by COVID-19 made this event more present, showing that nurses' attitudes toward death may influence the care provided to people at the end of life. The objective of this study was to analyze the attitudes of nurses in the emergency service toward death, before and after the first critical period of the pandemic by COVID-19 in Portugal. METHODS: A quantitative, comparative, and cross-sectional study was conducted in a hospital in Northern Portugal at 2 different moments: the first in February 2018 and the second in May 2020, after the first critical period of the pandemic by COVID-19. In both moments, data were collected using a self-completion questionnaire, which included the Death Attitude Profile Assessment Scale. RESULTS: The attitudes fear, avoidance, closeness, and escape did not show significant differences. In neutral/neutral acceptance, differences were found between the first and second moments of data collection (P = .01), with a lower mean after the critical period of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in 2018 and 2020 showed slight changes in attitudes toward death. The need to invest in the training and preparation of nurses who deal directly with death and the dying process was evident. Nurse managers should promote spaces for reflection and team training on death, aiming to reduce the professionals' suffering and anxiety.

Reconstruction of the Denonvillier's fascia and posterior ligament of the external urethral sphincter: Assessment of its effect on urinary continence after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Some studies have shown that rhabdosphincter reconstruction provides an earlier return to continence after radical prostatectomy. We aim to study the impact of this procedure in urinary continence along with comparing two specific surgical techniques for posterior reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied a group of patients who were submitted to LRP with No Rhabdosphincter Reconstruction (NRR) and another group with Posterior Reconstruction of the Rhabdosphincter (PRR). The latter was further divided into two groups: "Rocco type stitch" group and "Bollens type stitch" group. We used three questionnaires (IIEF-5, ICIQ-SF and IPSS) to assess urinary continence and erectile function 90 days after surgery. RESULTS: Patients of PRR group had a better full continence rate than patients of NRR group at 90 days (96.6% vs 33.3%, p < 0.001). Concerning urinary incontinence (p = 0.116), lower urinary tract symptoms (p = 0.543) and postoperative complication rates (p = 0.738), our results suggested that there were no differences between the techniques studied. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior reconstruction of the rhabdosphincter has significant benefits for urinary continence recovery on patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. No differences were observed in continence recovery between the two techniques analyzed. Additionally, reconstruction of the rhabdosphincter appears to be a safe procedure with no increased risk of postoperative complications.

Digital informed consent on radical prostatectomy surgery - A turning point on patient communication means.

To the Editor, Radical Prostatectomy (RP) is one of the preferred treatments for localized prostatic cancer and although surgical complications have been reduced over the years, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction are still common and significantly impact the patient's life. Therefore, adequate patient education and counselling before RP is essential. Informed Consent (IC) is a crucial element of doctor-patient interaction, and it must ensure that patients receive and understand all the information regarding their diseases and treatments. Implicit in providing IC is assessing the patient's understanding, since accessible communication enables them to make informed decisions consciously and autonomously about their health status [...].

The workforce for rehabilitation in primary health care in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Studies on the workforce in rehabilitation in primary health care services are still unusual in health systems analysis. Data on the health worker density at the subnational level in rehabilitation in primary health care are not commonly observed in most health systems. Nevertheless, these data are core for the system's planning and essential for finding the balance between the composition, distribution, and number of workers for rehabilitation actions. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the temporal space distribution of health professionals with higher education who performed rehabilitation actions in primary health care in Brazil from 2007 to 2020. METHOD: This is an ecological, time-series study on the supply of physiotherapists, audiologists, psychologists, and occupational therapists in primary health care, vis-a-vis the implementation of the Brazilian health policy denominated the Integrated Health Service Network for People with Disabilities. The data were obtained from the National Registry of Health Facilities. The period of analysis was from 2007 to 2020. The health worker density coefficient was calculated per 10,000 inhabitants annually, considering the five geographic regions of Brazil. The time trends of the coefficient of health professionals per year in Brazil and geographic regions were analyzed. For this purpose, joinpoint regression analysis was carried out. The average annual percentage variation was estimated, considering the respective confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: In 2007, there were 0.12 physiotherapists/10,000 inhabitants (2326), 0.05 audiologists/10,000 inhabitants (1024), and 0.205 psychologists/10,000 inhabitants (3762). In 2020, there was an increase in the coefficient of professionals/10,000 inhabitants in all professional categories to 0.47 psychologists (> 268.1%), 0.46 physiotherapists (> 424.8%), 0.14 audiologists (> 297.1%), and 0.04 occupational therapists (> 504.5%). There was a significant increase in the supply of physiotherapists (AAPC: 10.8), audiologists (AAPC: 7.6), psychologists (AAPC: 6.8), and occupational therapists (AAPC: 28.3), with little regional variation. CONCLUSION: Public health policies for rehabilitation have contributed to an increase in the workforce caring for people with disabilities in primary health care services. An increase in the workforce of physiotherapists, audiologists, psychologists, and occupational therapists was observed throughout the period studied in all regions.

[Factors associated with underreporting of cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: probabilistic database linkage]. / Fatores associados à subnotificação de casos de tuberculose multirresistente no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: relacionamento probabilístico entre sistemas de informação.

This study estimated the proportion of underreporting of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and associated factors in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as well as the proportion of deaths in this group. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using probabilistic database linkage. Cases with the results of the drug sensitivity test (DST) with MDR-TB pattern recorded in the Laboratory Environment Management System (GAL) from 2010 to 2017 were linked to cases reported to the Special TB Treatments System (SITETB). Simple and multiple logistic regressions were performed to estimate factors associated with underreporting. Death was verified by search for cases in the Mortality Information System (SIM) and in the portal of the Rio de Janeiro State Court of Justice. Of the 651 cases of MDR-TB in the GAL, 165 had not been reported to the SITETB, meaning an underreporting rate of 25.4% in the sample. Among the unreported cases, 61 (37%) were identified in the death records. In the multiple analysis, the fact that the test was ordered by a hospital (OR = 2.86; 95%CI: 1.72-4.73) was associated with underreporting. Overall, the mean turnaround time between ordering the test and releasing the result was 113 days. Among reported cases, the mean time between ordering the test and initiating treatment was 169 days. The results underline the urgent need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance activities for MDR-TB, establish and monitor hospital surveillance centers and routine TB reporting in hospitals, review operational stages, and integrate various information systems to make them more agile and integrated.

Neste estudo, estimou-se a proporção e os fatores associados à subnotificação da tuberculose multirresistente (TB-MDR) no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, assim como a proporção de óbitos nesse grupo. Realizou-se um estudo de coorte retrospectiva, utilizando a técnica de relacionamento probabilístico entre sistemas de informação. Os casos com resultado do teste de sensibilidade às drogas (TSA) com padrão TB-MDR registrados no Sistema Gerenciador de Ambiente Laboratorial (GAL), no período 2010 a 2017, foram relacionados com casos notificados no Sistema de Tratamentos Especiais de Tuberculose (SITETB). Regressões logísticas simples e múltipla foram realizadas para estimar os fatores associados à subnotificação. Para verificar o óbito, foi realizada a busca dos casos no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) e no portal do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Dos 651 casos TB-MDR no GAL, 165 não haviam sido notificados no SITETB, perfazendo uma subnotificação de 25,4% na amostra. Entre os casos subnotificados, 61 (37%) foram encontrados nos registros de óbito. Na análise múltipla, ter o exame solicitado por um hospital (OR = 2,86; IC95%: 1,72-4,73) esteve associado à subnotificação. No geral, o tempo médio entre a solicitação do exame e a liberação do resultado foi de 113 dias. Entre os casos notificados, o tempo médio entre a solicitação do exame e o início do tratamento foi de 169 dias. Diante disso, é urgente fortalecer as ações de vigilância epidemiológica na TB-MDR, estabelecer e monitorar núcleos de vigilância hospitalar e as rotinas de notificação de TB nos hospitais, rever etapas operacionais, além de unificar os diversos sistemas de informação tornando-os mais ágeis e integrados.

En este estudio se estimó la proporción y los factores asociados a la subnotificación de la tuberculosis resistente a múltiples fármacos (TB-MDR) en el Estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil, así como la proporción de óbitos en ese grupo. Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectiva, utilizando la técnica de relación probabilística entre sistemas de información. Los casos con resultado del test de sensibilidad a las drogas (TSA) con patrón TB-MDR, registrados en el Sistema Gerenciador de Ambiente Laboratorial (GAL), en el período 2010 a 2017, se relacionaron con casos notificados en el Sistema de Tratamientos Especiales de Tuberculosis (SITETB). Se realizaron regresiones logísticas simples y múltiples para estimar los factores asociados a la subnotificación. Para verificar el óbito, se realizó la búsqueda de los casos en el Sistema de Información sobre Mortalidad (SIM) y en el portal del Tribunal de Justicia del Estado de Río de Janeiro. De los 651 casos TB-MDR en el GAL, 165 no habían sido notificados en el SITETB, lo que equivale a una subnotificación de un 25,4% en la muestra. Entre los casos subnotificados, 61 (37%) se encontraron en los registros de óbito. En el análisis múltiple, que el examen haya sido solicitado por un hospital (OR = 2,86; IC95%: 1,72-4,73) estuvo asociado a la subnotificación. En general, el tiempo medio entre la solicitud del examen y la llegada del resultado fue de 113 días. Entre los casos notificados, el tiempo medio entre la solicitud del examen y el inicio del tratamiento fue de 169 días. Ante esto, es urgente fortalecer las acciones de vigilancia epidemiológica en la TB-MDR, establecer y supervisar núcleos de vigilancia hospitalaria y las rutinas de notificación de TB en los hospitales, revisar etapas operacionales, además de unificar los diversos sistemas de información haciéndolos más ágiles e integrados.

Deficiência: palavras, modelos e exclusão / Disability: words, models and exclusion

RESUMO Políticas de saúde voltadas para pessoas com deficiência podem ser compreendidas como uma expressão dos reiterados processos de exclusão e silêncio impostos por relações culturais e políticas. Entender os diferentes modelos conceituais e as palavras usadas para se referir a esse grupo é essencial para a mudança dessa perspectiva, bem como para a melhoria de dados epidemiológicos sobre a deficiência. O objetivo deste ensaio é discutir a relação entre modelos teóricos da deficiência, as múltiplas formas de denominação, a epidemiologia da deficiência e sua relação com políticas públicas. Através da compreensão da terminologia utilizada para descrever indivíduos com deficiência, da adoção de similaridades linguísticas entre as instâncias formuladoras e implementadoras de políticas, a sociedade e as próprias pessoas com deficiência poderiam auxiliar nas mudanças de perspectivas de vida ao sugerirem modificações nas políticas públicas e na forma de cuidado.

ABSTRACT Health policies aimed at people with disabilities can be understood as an expression of the repeated processes of exclusion and silence, imposed by cultural and political relations. Understanding the different conceptual models and the words used to refer to this group is essential to change this perspective, as well as to improve epidemiological data on disability. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the relationship between theoretical models of disability, the multiple forms of denomination, the epidemiology of disability and its relationship with public policies. By understanding the terminology used to describe individuals with disabilities, by adopting linguistic similarities between the policy makers and implementers, society and people with disabilities themselves could assist in changing life perspectives by suggesting changes in public policies and in the form of care.

Can narration and guidance in video-enhanced learning improve performance on E-BLUS exercises?

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare trainees' laparoscopic performance concerning the peg-transfer (PT) and needle-guidance (NG) exercises after watching the original European Basic Laparoscopic Urologic Skills (E-BLUS) video or after watching a video-mentored tutorial (VMT) with 'tips and tricks', narration and didactic illustrations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An experimental, unblinded, parallel, 2-intervention, 2-period randomized trial with an allocation ratio of 1:1 was conducted. Forty-two participants were randomized into 2 groups. Prior to task initiation, Group 1 watched the VMT in both trials and Group 2 watched, firstly, the original E-BLUS examination video and, in the second trial, the VMT. Each participant performed 2 trials for each exercise. Outcome measures were task time and total number of errors. RESULTS: In the first period, participants who visualized the PT and NG VMT had fewer errors than participants who visualized the E-BLUS video (p = 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively). In the second period, after watching the VMT, a decrease in the total number of errors in PT and NG exercises was observed in the participants who previously watched the E-BLUS video (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). In the second period, a decrease in median task time was observed for Group 1 and 2 after watching the PT VMT (p ≤0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively) and NG VMT (p = 0.005 and p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The use of VMT can lead to a smaller number of errors and, if coupled with deliberate practice, could lead to a shorter task time in exercise performance among participants with no previous laparoscopic experience.