Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis in Children and Adolescents With Autoimmune Hepatitis and Overlap Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: This is a cohort study of 134 children and adolescents with a known diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). During follow-up, some of them developed autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC). This study describes the characteristics of the patients upon diagnosis, and their response to treatment and any complications, and compares the patients who developed ASC during follow-up (ASC group) with those who did not (AIH group). METHODS: A total of 73.1% of the patients were girls with a median age upon diagnosis of 10.41 (7.41-12.53) years. RESULTS: Of 134 patients, 28 (20.9%) developed cholestatic manifestations, with features of ASC. A few differences were observed between the AIH and ASC groups when they were analyzed by χ test, such as the smaller predominance of girls in ASC group (P = 0.04), and more common asymptomatic presentation in the ASC group (P = 0.01). Cirrhosis was observed in 68% of biopsies, with no significant difference between groups (P = 0.43). Of 16 deaths, 15 were in the AIH group and 1 in the ASC group (P = 0.22). Of 11 transplants, 10 were in the AIH group and one in the ASC group (P = 0.53). The presence of cirrhosis at baseline was associated with a smaller survival probability (P = 0.015). The survival rate by Kaplan-Meier method was 94% at 5 years and 80% at 10 years, and was similar in both the groups (P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in relation to prognosis and response to treatment.

Prevention of abdominal adhesions and healing skin after peritoniectomy using low level laser.

BACKGROUND: Adhesions commonly occur after abdominal surgery and can cause bowel obstruction, chronic abdominal pain, and infertility. Their prevention remains a challenge. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of the application of low-level lasers on the prevention of adhesions and scarring of the skin after peritoniectomia. METHOD: Twenty-four New Zealand breed male rabbits, approximately 2 months of age, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8): GC-control group not subjected to laser, GL1-group with laser application at a dose of 0.2 J, and GL2-group with laser application at a dose of 3.6 J. All animals received a longitudinal midline incision and a bilateral resection of the peritoneal fragment, measuring 3 × 1 cm(2) . The animals received a laser treatment of one application every 24 hours, beginning at the time of surgery and lasting for a period of 4 days. After 14 days post-surgery, the animals were killed and adhesion formation was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively by means of a laparotomy shaped inverted "U", which allowed for the verification of the broad wall of the abdominal cavity and organs. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The adhesion formation was observed in 100% of the rabbits from groups GC and GL1, as compared to 37.5% of the rabbits from group GL2 (P < 0.01). The evaluation of the vascularization and tenacity of adhesions among the groups showed no significant difference. In groups CG and GL1, 72% and 83% of adhesions were verified between visceras, respectively whereas in GL2 occurred among abdominal wall. The tensile strength of the skin between the groups was not significant (P = 0.3106). The resistance of abdominal wall segments without skin he resistance of skin segments between groups GL2 and GC were higher than in GL1 (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Low-level LASER is effective in preventing intra-abdominal adhesions in rabbits without compromising strength and healing of the abdominal wall.

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT PERIODS OF GASTRIC ISCHAEMIA IN THE VIABILITY OF THE TISSUE OF BODY, FUNDUS AND ANTRUM REGION OF RABBIT STOMACH / EFEITOS DE DIFERENTES TEMPOS DE ISQUEMIA GÁSTRICA SOBRE A VIABILIDADE DOS TECIDOS DO CORPO, FUNDO E ANTRO DO ESTÔMAGO DE COELHOS

BACKGROUND: Despite the rich vascular arcade of the stomach, gastric ischemia represents an important medical challenge and can be the consequence of obstructive or non-obstructive vascular processes of pathological or iatrogenic origin.AIM: To assess the effects of acute gastric ischaemia on the different regions of the stomach.METHOD: Fifteen New Zeland rabbits were divided into three groups: group 1, animals were observed during 3 h; group 2, during 6 h; group 3, during 12 h. Rabbit stomachs were subjected to devascularization of the greater and lesser curvatures. After predetermined time, the stomachs were removed for macro and microscopic studies.RESULTS: Haemorrhagic necrosis was more marked in the gastric fundus and body. In contrast, the antropylorus remained preserved in 80% of the animals. Necrosis of the gastric body and fundus mucosa were observed in all animals after 6 h and 12 h of ischaemia.CONCLUSION: Acute gastric ischaemia in rabbits produces haemorrhagic necrosis of the gastric fundus and body even in a short period of time. Beside this, the antropyloric region was significantly more resistant to ischaemia.

RACIONAL: Isquemia gástrica representa importante desafio médico e geralmente é decorrente de processos vasculares obstrutivos ou não-obstrutivos. Apesar da rica arcada vascular do estômago, lesões de isquemia gástrica têm sido observadas. Quando a isquemia progride, pode culminar em necrose do órgão.OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos dos diferentes tempos de isquemia gástrica sobre os tecidos da parede do estômago de coelhos mediante desvascularização total de ambas as curvaturas gástricas.MÉTODO: Foram utilizados 15 coelhos machos da raça Nova Zelândia. Os animais foram distribuídos nos seguintes grupos: grupo 1, observados por 3 h; grupo 2, por 6 h; grupo 3, por 12 h. A técnica cirúrgica foi a mesma em todos os animais e consistiu na ligadura e secção de todas as veias e artérias da parede gástrica. Após o período pré-determinado de observação, o estômago foi removido por completo para estudo macro e microscópico.RESULTADOS: As alterações macroscópicas e histológicas tornaram-se mais intensas com o aumento do tempo de isquemia e foram mais evidentes nas regiões do fundo e do corpo. Por outro lado, o antro manteve-se preservado na maioria dos animais operados. Necrose de mucosa do corpo e do fundo foi observada em todos os animais estudados, e foi acompanhada por hemorragia em 60% dos coelhos dos grupos 2 e 3.CONCLUSÃO: O modelo experimental de isquemia gástrica foi eficaz para produzir necrose hemorrágica de fundo e corpo do estômago de coelhos mesmo em curto tempo. Por outro lado, a região do antro pilórico desses animais mostrou-se significativamente mais resistente à isquemia do que as demais regiões.

Effects of different periods of gastric ischaemia in the viability of the tissue of body, fundus and antrum region of rabbit stomach.

BACKGROUND: Despite the rich vascular arcade of the stomach, gastric ischemia represents an important medical challenge and can be the consequence of obstructive or non-obstructive vascular processes of pathological or iatrogenic origin. AIM: To assess the effects of acute gastric ischaemia on the different regions of the stomach. METHOD: Fifteen New Zeland rabbits were divided into three groups: group 1, animals were observed during 3 h; group 2, during 6 h; group 3, during 12 h. Rabbit stomachs were subjected to devascularization of the greater and lesser curvatures. After predetermined time, the stomachs were removed for macro and microscopic studies. RESULTS: Haemorrhagic necrosis was more marked in the gastric fundus and body. In contrast, the antropylorus remained preserved in 80% of the animals. Necrosis of the gastric body and fundus mucosa were observed in all animals after 6 h and 12 h of ischaemia. CONCLUSION: Acute gastric ischaemia in rabbits produces haemorrhagic necrosis of the gastric fundus and body even in a short period of time. Beside this, the antropyloric region was significantly more resistant to ischaemia.

Greater resistance of the rabbit antropyloric region to experimental acute gastric ischemia / Maior resistência da região antropilórica de coelhos à isquemia gástrica aguda experimental

INTRODUCTION: Gastric ischemia represents an important medical challenge in pathology and surgical practice. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of acute gastric ischemia on different regions of the stomach. METHOD: Rabbit stomachs were subjected to devascularization of the greater and lesser curvatures for 3, 6 and 12 hours. After these periods, the stomachs were removed for macro and microscopic analysis. RESULTS: Hemorrhagic necrosis was more marked in the gastric fundus and body. In contrast, the antropylorus remained preserved in 100% of the rabbits after 3 hours of ischemia (group I), and in 80% of the rabbits after 6 and 12 hours of ischemia (groups II and III). Necrosis of the gastric body and fundus mucosa were observed in all animals after 6 and 12 hours of ischemia. CONCLUSION: We concluded that this experimental model of acute gastric ischemia was effective in producing hemorrhagic necrosis of the gastric fundus and body in rabbits even within a short period of time. Furthermore, the antropyloric region was preserved in most animals.

INTRODUÇÃO: Isquemia gástrica representa um importante desafio médico nas áreas de Patologia e Cirurgia. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da isquemia gástrica aguda nas diferentes regiões do estômago. MÉTODO: Estômagos de coelhos foram submetidos à completa desvascularização das curvaturas maior e menor durante 3, 6 e 12 horas. Após esses períodos de tempo, os órgãos foram removidos para análise macro e microscópica. RESULTADOS: Necrose hemorrágica foi mais evidente nas regiões de corpo e fundo. Por outro lado, a região antropilórica manteve-se preservada em 100% dos coelhos após 3 horas de isquemia (grupo I), e em 80% dos coelhos após 6 e 12 horas de isquemia (grupos II e III). Necrose da camada mucosa do corpo e do fundo gástricos foi observada em todos os animais após 6 e 12 horas de isquemia. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que esse modelo de isquemia gástrica aguda foi eficaz para produzir necrose hemorrágica do corpo e fundo de coelhos mesmo por um curto período de tempo. Além disso, a região antropilórica manteve-se preservada na maioria dos animais.

Plasma lipid alterations after total splenectomy, subtotal splenectomy and splenic auto-implants in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The relation between the spleen and lipid metabolism has not been properly studied. In order to contribute to the filling of this gap, in the present investigation we experimentally assessed the lipidogram of rats in the presence of the spleen, in asplenia, and after conservative spleen surgeries. METHODS: Fifty female Wistar rats of similar weight and age were divided into five groups submitted to the following procedures: group 1: control, with an intact spleen; group 2: sham operation; group 3: total splenectomy; group 4: subtotal splenectomy; and group 5: total splenectomy complemented with autogenous spleen tissue implants. Four months after the interventions, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and fractions (very-low-density lipoprotein [VLDL]-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein [LDL]-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein [HDL]-cholesterol) were determined. The results for the four groups were compared by analysis of variance followed by the Tukey-Kramer test, with the level of significance set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: There were no differences between groups 1, 2, 4 and 5. In the animals submitted to total splenectomy, total cholesterol (P = 0.0151) and LDL-cholesterol fraction concentrations (P < 0.0001) were higher, whereas HDL-cholesterol fraction concentrations were lower (P = 0.0026) than those detected in the other groups. There was no difference in triglycerides (P = 0.1571) or VLDL-cholesterol (P = 0.2527) between groups. CONCLUSION: The spleen probably plays an important role in the lipid metabolism of female rats and total splenectomy may be related to changes in cholesterol control. It is possible that preservation of spleen tissue prevents such metabolic disorders.

Análise de sobrevivência relacionada ao sexo, após esplenectomia, em modelo animal / Post-splenectomy survival analysis related to gender in animal model

É sabido que a esplenectomia causa propensão a infecções, principalmente aquelas causadas por microorganismos capsulados. Essas complicações acompanham-se de maior mortalidade e conseqüente menor sobrevida dos indivíduos asplênicos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a sobrevida em relação ao sexo de ratos submetidos a esplenectomia total. Foram estudados 34 ratos, distribuídos em dois grupos, sendo o Grupo 1 (n=14) controle, animais submetidos apenas a laparotomia e o Grupo 2 (n=20) submetidos a esplenectomia total. Os animais de cada grupo foram distribuídos em dois subgrupos iguais, sendo o Subgrupo A composto por machos e o Subgrupo B por fêmeas. Os ratos foram acompanhados por um período máximo de noventa dias com vista à sua sobrevivência. Observou-se que a mortalidade após esplenectomia total foi de 80 por cento no Subgrupo dos animais machos e de 30 por cento no das fêmeas. Não houve óbitos no Grupo 1. Os ratos esplenectomizados apresentaram sobrevida inferior à das ratas esplenectomizadas (p = 0,034). De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a esplenectomia diminui a sobrevida de ratos, e as fêmeas murinas apresentam maior resistência à asplenia e conseqüentemente menor mortalidade do que os machos.

It is well known that splenectomy increases the risk of infections, mainly those caused by capsulated bacteria. These complications are associated with greater mortality and lower survival rates in asplenic individuals. The objective of the present work was to assess the survival of rats submitted to total splenectomy. Thirty-four rats were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 14): control animals, submitted only to laparotomy; Group 2 (n = 20): animals submitted to splenectomy. Both groups were subdivided into 2 subgroups, namely, subgroup A, male rats, and subgroup B, female rats. The animals were followed during a 90-day period to assess their survival. The mortality of animals in Group 2 was 80 percent for males and 30 percent for females. No death occurred in animals of Group 1. Splenectomized males had significantly lower survival than splenectomized females (p=0.034). According to the results of the present work, total splenectomy diminishes the survival in rats and the female rodents present greater resistance to the asplenic state, and, therefore fewer deaths occur compared to male rats.

Allogeneic and autologous ovarian orthotopic transplantation without a vascular pedicle: morphological, endocrinologic and natural pregnancy assessment.

BACKGROUND: To assess the natural pregnancy of rabbits submitted to bilateral oophorectomy and orthotopic allogeneic or autologous intact and sliced ovarian transplantation without a vascular pedicle, and to determine the morpho-functional aspects of the transplanted ovaries. METHODS: Fifty-six female rabbits were studied. The ovaries were removed and orthotopically transplanted or replaced without vascular anastomoses: Group 1 (n = 8), only laparotomy and laparorrhaphy; Group 2A (n = 8), intact ovaries were transplanted on both sides; Group 2B (n = 8), both ovaries were sliced and orthotopically transplanted; Group 2C (n = 8), an intact ovary was transplanted on one side and a sliced ovary on the other side; Groups 3A-C, the ovaries were reimplanted according to the procedure and subgroups described for Group 2. Three months later, the animals were paired with males for copulation. Estradiol, progesterone, FSH and LH hormone levels were assessed. A histological study was carried out, and the number of pregnancies and litters were also determined. Chi-squared test compared the number of pregnancies and litters. One-way anova and the Tukey-Kramer tests compared the hormonal dosages. RESULTS: Pregnancies occurred in seven rabbits of Group 1, in 37.5% of rabbits in Groups 2A and 3A, in 50% of groups 2B, 3B and 3C, and in 62.5% of group 2C. Hormone levels and histology confirmed the vitality of all ovaries. CONCLUSIONS: Intact or sliced orthotopic allogeneic and autologous ovarian transplantation without a vascular pedicle is viable in rabbits, and preserves their hormonal and fertile functions.

Morphologic, endocrinologic and natural pregnancy assessment of allogeneic ovarian orthotopic transplantation without a vascular pedicle in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the natural pregnancy of rabbits subjected to bilateral oophorectomy and orthotopic allogeneic intact and sliced ovarian transplantation without a vascular pedicle, and to determine the morphofunctional aspects of the transplanted ovaries. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-two female rabbits were studied. The ovaries were removed and orthotopically transplanted without vascular anastomoses between the two breeds of rabbits. In Group 1 (n=8), only laparotomy and laparorrhaphy were performed, in Group 2A (n=8) intact ovaries were transplanted on both sides, in Group 2B (n=8) both ovaries were sliced and orthotopically transplanted, and in Group 2C (n=8) an intact ovary was transplanted on one side and a sliced ovary on the other side. Three months later, the animals were paired with males for copulation. Estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels were assessed. A histologic study was carried out and the numbers of pregnancies and litters were also determined. RESULTS: Pregnancies occurred in seven rabbits in Group 1, 37.5% of rabbits in Group 2A, 50% in Group 2B, and 62.5% in Group 2C. Hormone levels and histology confirmed the vitality and function of all ovaries. CONCLUSIONS: Intact or sliced orthotopic allogeneic ovarian transplantation without a vascular pedicle is viable in rabbits, and preserves their hormonal and fertile functions.

Influência da esplenectomia na capacidade física em ratos / Influence of splenectomy on the physical performance in rats

Muitas das alterações fisiológicas provocadas pela esplenectomia ainda são pouco compreendidas. Embora, desde a Antigüidade, o baço seja relacionado com o desempenho físico, ainda não há suporte científico que tenha avaliado essa relação. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar a influência da esplenectomia na capacidade física de ratos de ambos os sexos. Foram estudados 36 ratos adultos, com peso entre 150 e 250 g, distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos: Grupo 1 (n=8): fêmeas esplenectomizadas; Grupo 2 (n=8): fêmeas controle; Grupo 3 (n=10): machos esplenectomizados e Grupo 4 (n=10): machos controle. Os animais dos Grupos 1 e 3 foram submetidos a esplenectomia total; nos Grupos 2 e 4 o procedimento cirúrgico limitou-se a laparotomia mediana seguida de laparorrafia. O período de recuperação foi de 120 dias. A capacidade física foi pesquisada por meio de corrida em esteira elétrica, à velocidade de 24 metros por minuto e inclinação de 12 graus, até a exaustão do animal. Os ratos machos esplenectomizados correram por um período maior que os do grupo controle do mesmo sexo (p < 0,05). Não houve diferença no tempo de corrida entre as fêmeas com e sem baço. Por outro lado, as ratas do grupo controle apresentaram tendência a maior resistência física que os machos. A remoção do baço acarreta mudanças fisiológicas responsáveis por aumento do desempenho físico em ratos machos em teste de resistência física.

Many of the physiological changes caused by splenectomy are still little understood. Even though in ancient civilizations an association between spleen function to physical performance was reported, there has been no scientific assessment to support this relation until now. Thus, the present work aimed at studying the influence of splenectomy on the physical capacity of rats of both sexes. Thirty-six adult rats were distributed into four groups: Group 1 (n=8): splenectomized females; Group 2 (n=8): control females; Group 3 (n=10): splenectomized males; and Group 4 (n=10): control males. Animals from Groups 1 and 3 underwent total splenectomy; the surgical procedure performed on Groups 2 and 4 consisted of only laparotomy followed by suturing of the abdominal wall. The rats were allowed 120 days for recovery. The physical performance was assessed by a running test on an electrical treadmill at a speed of 24 m/min and with a 12º tilt, until exhaustion of the animal. The splenectomized males ran for a longer period than the controls of the same sex (p < 0.05). There were no differences between the running times of the splenectomized and non-splenectomized females. Nevertheless, a tendency of better performance of the control females was observed when compared to the control males. Therefore, splenic resection is related with physiological changes responsible for the improvement in the physical performance of male rats during endurance tests.

"Hiperesplenismo" em hipertensão porta por esquistossomose mansônica / "Hiperesplenism" in portal hypertension provoked by Manson's schistosomiasis

Durante anos, as alterações hematológicas que ocorrem na esquistossomose mansônica hepatoesplênica vêm sendo definidas como hiperesplenismo. Inicialmente, acreditava-se que apenas a remoção do baço normalizava os valores hematológicos, entretanto, em cirurgias para o tratamento da hipertensão porta nas quais o baço era preservado, observou-se normalização dos valores hematimétricos. Cabe correlacionar o quadro clínico e laboratorial para definir a real existência de hiperesplenismo. MÉTODO: Foram estudados 51 doentes portadores de hipertensão porta por esquistossomose mansônica distribuídos em cinco grupos: Grupo 1- pacientes não operados e em controle clínico, Grupo 2- pacientes submetidos a anastomose esplenorrenal distal, Grupo 3 - pacientes com esplenectomia subtotal e anastomose esplenorrenal proximal, Grupo 4 - pacientes com esplenectomia total e anastomose esplenorrenal proximal e Grupo 5 - pacientes com esplenectomia total e desconexão porta-varizes. ...o. Esses pacientes apresentavam eventuais episódios de sangramento pelas varizes esofágicas e gástricas. Nenhum deles teve sinais de coagulopatia ou sepse, apesar de os valores hematológicos estarem alterados. Em todos os grupos operados, os valores da hematimetria, da leucometria, o número de plaquetas e o tempo de protombina do período pós-operatório melhoraram em relação ao período pré-operatório. No pós-operatório, a contagem das imunoglobulinas IgM, IgG e IgA foi normal. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com hipertensão porta esquistossomática e citopenia periférica não podem ser classificados como portadores de hiperesplenismo, mas de pancitopenia por esplenomegalia conseqüente ao represamento sangüíneo, por dificuldade na drenagem sangüínea porta.

For many years, the hematologic changes occurring inhepatosplenic Manson’s schistosomiasis have been defined ashypersplenism. Initially, the belief was that removal of the spleenwould normalize the hematologic values. However, hematimetricnormalization was observed in surgeries for the treatment ofportal hypertension in which the spleen was preserved. In viewof these findings, it is necessary to verify the clinical and laboratoryprofile of these patients in order to define the real presence ofhypersplenism. This study was conducted on 51 patients withManson’s schistosomatic portal hypertension divided into fivegroups: Group 1, non-operated patients under clinical control;Group 2, patients submitted to distal splenorenal shunt; Group3, patients with subtotal splenectomy and central splenorenalshunt; Group 4, patients with total splenectomy and centralsplenorenal shunt; Group 5, patients with total splenectomy andportal-variceal disconnection. Clinical signs of hypersplenismwere assessed in all patients. Hematologic values of the pre- andpostoperative periods were compared. Immunoglobulin countsof the patients were verified in the late postoperative period. Thefive groups were compared by Kruskal-Wallis test. The pre- andpostoperative values were compared using Friedman and pairedt tests, with significance for p< 0.05. In all operated groups,hematimetric values, leukocyte counts, platelet number andprothrombin time were higher during the postoperative period.With respect to the immunoglobulins, the postoperative values ofIgM, IgG and IgA were normal. Patients with schistosomaticportal hypertension and peripheral cytopenia cannot be classifiedas having hypersplenism, but rather as having pancytopeniadue to splenomegaly caused by difficulty of portal blood drainage.

Avaliaçäo morfofuncional do auto-implante ovariano no retroperitônio / Morphofunction assessment of ovarian autotransplantation in the retroperitoneum

Introduçäo: Em muitos procedimentos pélvicos e abdominais, a ooforectomia bilateral se impõe, porém suas complicações sistêmicas, como insuficiências hormonais, podem ser de difícil controle. Objetivo: Visando a preservaçäo da funçäo gonadal, em casos de ooforectomia, avaliaram-se aspectos funcionais e histológicos de tecido ovariano auto-implantado, em posiçäo heterotópica. Material e Métodos: Foram selecionadas 36 ratas Wistar, com ciclos estrais, normais, divididas aleatoriamente em quatro grupos (n=9): G1- controle- submetido a laparotomia, sem procedimento cirúrgico adicional; G2- ooforectomia bilateral; G3- os ovários retirados foram implantados integralmente no retroperitônio; G4- os ovários retirados foram fatiados e também implantados no retroperitônio. Nos 30 e 60 meses pós-operatórios, realizaram-se esfregaços vaginais e estudos histológicos dos implantes ovarianos. Resultados: Os animais do grupo G1 tiveram seus ciclos normalmente. As ratas dos grupos G2 permaneceram durante todo o período em diestro. No grupo G3, no sexto mês, duas ratas tiveram ciclos completos, compatíveis com a fase estral; três animais apresentaram ciclos irregulares e os restantes permaneceram em diestro. No grupo G4, no sexto mês pós-operatório, três ratas apresentaram ciclos incompletos, cinco ratas apresentaram ciclos estrais completos, e apenas uma permaneceu fixa em diestro. O estudo anatomopatológico confirmou viabilidade ovariana em ambos os grupos de auto-implante (G3 e G4) com melhores resultados para o G4. Conclusões: O auto-implante ovariano no retroperitônio, na forma fatiada, apresentou melhor preservaçäo morfofuncional do que a do íntegro

Dados epidemiológicos da litíase renal, em hospital de referência, em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais / Epidemiology of renal calculi in a reference hospital in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State

Introduçäo: A litíase renal é uma afecçäo muito comum na prática clínica e múltiplos fatores estäo relacionados com sua etiopatogenia, embora näo tenhamos encontrado estudo algum sobre a epidemiologia da litíase no Brasil. Objetivo: Avaliar a influência da idade, do sexo, da cor da pele e da lateralidade como fatores de risco para cálculo renal. Pacientes e Métodos: Foram estudados 400 prontuários de pacientes com diagnóstico de litíase urinária, nos Serviços de Nefrologia e Urologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, em Belo Horizonte. Todos os diagnósticos foram confirmados pela história clínica associada a métodos de imagem. Resultados: Houve predomínio de pacientes do sexo feminino (54,5 por cento) sobre o masculino com litíase renal. Os doentes brancos constituíram a maioria (75 por cento), seguidos pelos mulatos (23,3 por cento) e, em uma muito pequena proporçäo, pelos negros (1,8 por cento). A idade média foi de 39,81, +- 15,61 anos. Näo houve diferenças quanto à lateralidade dos cálculos, mas os homens tiveram mais cálculos bilaterais do que as mulheres. Conclusäo: Na populaçäo estudada no presente trabalho, o cálculo renal foi mais freqüente em adultos jovens, brancos e do sexo feminino, sem diferenças quanto à lateralidade. Os resultados sugerem uma possível relaçäo entre nefrolitíase e cor da pele.