Association between vitamin D and cardioprotection in adult patients.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a review of articles which have evaluated the relationship between vitamin D and cardioprotection in adult. METHODS: A literature search was performed in the Pubmed and Scielo databases. The results were extracted from primary and secondary sources and will be presented in the form of a bibliographic review. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles were identified from the electronic search that reported on physiological mechanisms relating the vitamin D axis and the cardiovascular system through receptors. Of the ten studies that evaluated the therapeutic effect of vitamin D in cardiovascular diseases, none reported significant results. CONCLUSION: The articles assessed in this review did not demonstrate a cardioprotective effect of vitamin D, despite the epidemiological correlation of vitamin D deficiency with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.

Discriminant indexes to simplify the differential diagnosis between iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia minor in individuals with microcytic anemia.

INTRODUCTION: Microcytic anemias are very common in clinical practice, with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and thalassemia minor (TT) being the most prevalent. Diagnostic confirmation of these clinical entities requires tests involving iron metabolism profile, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and molecular analysis. In this context, several discriminant indices have been proposed to simplify the differential diagnosis between IDA and TM. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the clinical relevance of the use of discriminant indices in individuals with microcytic anemia to simplify the differential diagnosis between iron deficiency anemia and minor thalassemia. METHODS: A bibliographic and cross-sectional search was performed in the PubMed, SciELO and LILACS databases, using the following descriptors: iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia minor, and differential diagnosis. RESULTS: More than 40 mathematical indices based on erythrocyte parameters have been proposed in the hematological literature in individuals with microcytosis. Green & King indexes (IGK), Ehsani index, and erythrocyte count (RBC) had excellent performances, especially when their efficacy was observed in adults and children. CONCLUSIONS: Confirmatory tests for differential diagnosis between IDA and TM require time-consuming and costly methods. Despite the excellent performances of IGK, Ehsani index, and RBC, none of them presented sufficient sensitivity and specificity to establish a diagnosis. However, they can provide a powerful additional tool for diagnostic simplification between IDA and TM.

Association between vitamin D and cardioprotection in adult patients

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To conduct a review of articles which have evaluated the relationship between vitamin D and cardioprotection in adult. METHODS: A literature search was performed in the Pubmed and Scielo databases. The results were extracted from primary and secondary sources and will be presented in the form of a bibliographic review. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles were identified from the electronic search that reported on physiological mechanisms relating the vitamin D axis and the cardiovascular system through receptors. Of the ten studies that evaluated the therapeutic effect of vitamin D in cardiovascular diseases, none reported significant results. CONCLUSION: The articles assessed in this review did not demonstrate a cardioprotective effect of vitamin D, despite the epidemiological correlation of vitamin D deficiency with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.

The effectiveness of percutaneous injections of ozonotherapy in low back pain.

INTRODUCTION: Lumbar pain is one of the main reasons for medical consultation, causing the disruption of daily routines due to its disabling nature, thus resulting in social and personal damage. Among the complementary treatments, ozonotherapy offers analgesia to most patients, with reports of complications. However, great questions about its clinical effectiveness have not been answered yet, and there have been reports of serious complications. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of ozonotherapy in the treatment of lumbar pain, focusing on its favorable and unfavorable effects, and its analog profile. METHODS: A cross-sectional bibliographic research was performed with scientific articles obtained from the Pubmed, LILACS and Scopus database, using the following descriptors: "Ozone", "Therapy", "Lumbar pain", "complication", "Disk herniation", "Guideline", "Protocol", "Standards", "Criteria". RESULTS: The researched literature corroborates that, in clinical practice, there is safety in the use of oxygen-ozone therapy through percutaneous injections for the treatment of lumbar pain, especially when compared to surgeries and use of medicines, provided that strict criteria are followed. CONCLUSION: The procedure is effective and has a favorable analgesic profile. However, it is necessary to produce a medical guideline that will help in its strict and systematic control.

Discriminant indexes to simplify the differential diagnosis between iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia minor in individuals with microcytic anemia

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: Microcytic anemias are very common in clinical practice, with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and thalassemia minor (TT) being the most prevalent. Diagnostic confirmation of these clinical entities requires tests involving iron metabolism profile, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and molecular analysis. In this context, several discriminant indices have been proposed to simplify the differential diagnosis between IDA and TM. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the clinical relevance of the use of discriminant indices in individuals with microcytic anemia to simplify the differential diagnosis between iron deficiency anemia and minor thalassemia. METHODS: A bibliographic and cross-sectional search was performed in the PubMed, SciELO and LILACS databases, using the following descriptors: iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia minor, and differential diagnosis. RESULTS: More than 40 mathematical indices based on erythrocyte parameters have been proposed in the hematological literature in individuals with microcytosis. Green & King indexes (IGK), Ehsani index, and erythrocyte count (RBC) had excellent performances, especially when their efficacy was observed in adults and children. CONCLUSIONS: Confirmatory tests for differential diagnosis between IDA and TM require time-consuming and costly methods. Despite the excellent performances of IGK, Ehsani index, and RBC, none of them presented sufficient sensitivity and specificity to establish a diagnosis. However, they can provide a powerful additional tool for diagnostic simplification between IDA and TM.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: Anemias microcíticas são muito comuns na prática clínica, sendo a anemia ferropriva (AF) e a talassemia menor (TM) as mais prevalentes. A confirmação diagnóstica dessas entidades clínicas requer testes que envolvem o perfil do metabolismo do ferro, eletroforese de hemoglobinas e análises moleculares. Nesse contexto, vários índices discriminantes têm sido propostos para simplificação do diagnóstico diferencial entre AF e TM. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste artigo foi demonstrar a relevância clínica da utilização de índices discriminantes em indivíduos com anemia microcítica, para simplificação do diagnóstico diferencial entre anemia ferropriva e talassemia menor. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica e transversal nas bases de dados PubMed, SciELO e Lilacs, utilizando-se os seguintes descritores: anemia ferropriva, talassemia menor e diagnóstico diferencial. RESULTADOS: Mais de 40 índices matemáticos baseados em parâmetros eritrocitários foram propostos na literatura hematológica em indivíduos com microcitose. Os índices de Green & King (IGK), o índice de Ehsani e a contagem de eritrócitos (RBC) obtiveram excelentes desempenhos, especialmente quando sua eficácia foi observada em adultos e crianças. CONCLUSÕES: Testes confirmatórios para o diagnóstico diferencial entre AF e TM demandam métodos que consomem bastante tempo e alto custo. Apesar dos excelentes desempenhos do IGK, do índice de Ehsani e do RBC, nenhum deles possui sensibilidade e especificidade suficientes para firmar diagnóstico. No entanto, podem fornecer uma poderosa ferramenta adicional para simplificação diagnóstica entre AF e TM.

The effectiveness of percutaneous injections of ozonotherapy in low back pain

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION Lumbar pain is one of the main reasons for medical consultation, causing the disruption of daily routines due to its disabling nature, thus resulting in social and personal damage. Among the complementary treatments, ozonotherapy offers analgesia to most patients, with reports of complications. However, great questions about its clinical effectiveness have not been answered yet, and there have been reports of serious complications. OBJECTIVE To describe the use of ozonotherapy in the treatment of lumbar pain, focusing on its favorable and unfavorable effects, and its analog profile. METHODS A cross-sectional bibliographic research was performed with scientific articles obtained from the Pubmed, LILACS and Scopus database, using the following descriptors: "Ozone", "Therapy", "Lumbar pain", "complication", "Disk herniation", "Guideline", "Protocol", "Standards", "Criteria". RESULTS The researched literature corroborates that, in clinical practice, there is safety in the use of oxygen-ozone therapy through percutaneous injections for the treatment of lumbar pain, especially when compared to surgeries and use of medicines, provided that strict criteria are followed. CONCLUSION The procedure is effective and has a favorable analgesic profile. However, it is necessary to produce a medical guideline that will help in its strict and systematic control.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO Dor lombar é um dos principais motivos de consultas médicas, provocando afastamento das rotinas diárias, por ser incapacitante, resultando em danos sociais e pessoais. Dentre os tratamentos complementares, a ozonioterapia oferece analgesia para a maioria dos pacientes e com mínimos relatos de complicações. Entretanto, grandes questionamentos sobre sua efetividade clínica ainda não foram respondidos, além de haver relatos de complicações graves. OBJETIVO Descrever o uso da ozonioterapia no tratamento da dor lombar, enfocando seus efeitos favoráveis e desfavoráveis, e seu perfil analgésico. MÉTODOS Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica transversal com artigos científicos obtidos das bases de dados PubMed, Lilacs e Scopus, utilizando os descritores: "Ozônio", "Terapia", "Dor lombar", "Complicação", "Hérnia de Disco","Diretriz", "Protocolo", "Padrões", "Critérios". RESULTADOS A literatura pesquisada corrobora que, na prática clínica, há segurança na utilização da terapia com a mistura oxigênio-ozônio por meio de injeções percutâneas para o tratamento de dor lombar, principalmente quando comparada às cirurgias e ao uso de medicamentos, desde que sejam seguidos critérios rígidos. CONCLUSÃO O procedimento é efetivo e tem perfil analgésico favorável. No entanto, é necessária a confecção de uma diretriz médica que auxiliará no controle rígido e sistemático do mesmo.

[Effectiveness of magnesium sulfate compared to rocuronium for rapid sequence tracheal intubation in adults: clinical randomized trial]. / Efetividade do sulfato de magnésio comparado ao rocurônio para intubação em sequência rápida em adultos: ensaio clínico randomizado.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Magnesium sulfate has been used in anesthesia because it has relevant clinical features such as: analgesia, autonomic response control and muscle relaxation. Using the agent to establish adequate conditions for tracheal intubation remains controversial. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate and rocuronium for rapid sequence tracheal intubation in adults. METHODS: Double blind, randomized, unicentric, prospective study assessed 68 patients, ASA 1 or 2, over 18 years, scheduled for appendectomy under general anesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups. GM patients received 50 mg.kg-1magnesium sulfate and GR patients, 1 mg.kg-1 rocuronium immediately before anesthesia induction. Arterial Blood Pressure (BP) and Heart Rate (HR) were measured in both groups at five times related to the administration of the drugs studied. The primary variable was the clinical status of tracheal intubation. TRIAL REGISTRY: RBR-4xr92k. RESULTS: GM was associated with no significant hemodynamic parameter change after injection. GM showed 85% (29/34) poor intubation clinical status, 15% (5/34) good, and 0% excellent (< 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Magnesium sulfate did not provide adequate clinical status when compared to rocuronium at a dose of 50 mg.kg-1 for rapid sequence intubation in adult patients.

Effectiveness of magnesium sulfate compared to rocuronium for rapid sequence tracheal intubation in adults: clinical randomized trial / Efetividade do sulfato de magnésio comparado ao rocurônio para intubação em sequência rápida em adultos: ensaio clínico randomizado

Abstract Introduction and objectives: Magnesium sulphate has been used in anesthesia because it has relevant clinical features such as: analgesia, autonomic response control and muscle relaxation. Using the agent to establish adequate conditions for tracheal intubation remains controversial. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate and rocuronium for rapid sequence tracheal intubation in adults. Methods: Double blind, randomized, unicentric, prospective study assessed 68 patients, ASA 1 or 2, over 18 years, scheduled for appendectomy under general anesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups. GM patients received 50 mg.kg-1magnesium sulfate and GR patients, 1 mg.kg-1 rocuronium immediately before anesthesia induction. Arterial Blood Pressure (BP) and Heart Rate (HR) were measured in both groups at five times related to the administration of the drugs studied. The primary variable was the clinical status of tracheal intubation. Trial Registry: RBR-4xr92k. Results: GM was associated with no significant hemodynamic parameter change after injection. GM showed 85% (29/34) poor intubation clinical status, 15% (5/34) good, and 0% excellent (< 0.0001). Conclusion: Magnesium sulfate did not provide adequate clinical status when compared to rocuronium at a dose of 50 mg.kg-1 for rapid sequence intubation in adult patients.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: O sulfato de magnésio vem sendo utilizado em anestesia por apresentar características relevantes à prática clínica como: analgesia, controle dos reflexos autonômicos e relaxamento muscular. A utilização deste agente para garantir condições adequadas para a intubação traqueal permanece controverso. O objetivo deste trabalho é determinar a efetividade do sulfato de magnésio comparado ao rocurônio para intubação orotraqueal em sequência rápida em pacientes adultos. Métodos: Este estudo duplamente encoberto, aleatorizado, unicêntrico e prospectivo avaliou 68 pacientes, ASA 1 ou 2, maiores de 18 anos, escalados para cirurgias de apendicectomia sob anestesia geral. Foram alocados em dois grupos, o GM recebeu 50 mg.kg-1 de sulfato de magnésio e o GR, 1 mg.kg-1 de rocurônio imediatamente antes da indução anestésica. Os valores de Pressão Arterial (PA) e Frequência Cardíaca (FC) foram aferidos nos dois grupos em cinco momentos relacionados com a administração dos fármacos do estudo. A variável primária foi condição clínica da intubação. Registro: RBR-4xr92k. Resultados: O GM não apresentou alteração significativa dos parâmetros hemodinâmicos após infusão. O GM apresentou 85% (29/34) de condição pobre, 15% (5/34) condição clínica boa e 0% condição clínica excelente (< 0,0001). Conclusão: O sulfato de magnésio não propiciou condições clínicas aceitáveis quando comparado ao rocurônio para intubação orotraqueal em sequência rápida em pacientes adultos quando utilizada a dose de 50 mg.kg-1.

[Effectiveness of ozone therapy compared to other therapies for low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials]. / Efetividade da ozonioterapia comparada a outras terapias para dor lombar: revisão sistemática com metanálise de ensaios clínicos randomizados.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Low back pain is a prevalent disease in the adult population, whose quality of life is considerably affected. In order to solve this problem, several therapies have been developed, of which ozone therapy is an example. Our objective in this study was to determine the effectiveness of ozone therapy for lumbar pain relief in adult patients compared to other therapies (steroid and placebo). METHOD: We used randomized clinical trials to compare the effectiveness of ozone and other therapies for lumbar pain relief in adults (Prospero: CRD42018090807). Two independent reviewers searched the Medline (1966-April/2018), Scopus (2011-May/2018), Lilacs (1982-May/2018), and Embase (1974-March/2018) databases. We use the terms ozone and pain as descriptors. The primary variable was pain relief and the secondary ones were complication, degree of satisfaction, quality of life, and recurrence of pain. RESULTS: Of the 779 identified articles, six selected clinical trials show that ozone therapy is more effective for lumbar pain relief; however, they were mostly classified as having a high or uncertain risk of bias (Cochrane Handbook). The meta-analysis regarding the effectiveness of pain relief did not show a significant difference between groups in the three-month period (RR = 1.98, 95% CI: 0.46-8.42, p = 0.36; 366 participants). It also showed greater effectiveness of the ozone therapy at six months compared to other therapies (steroid and placebo) (RR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.87-2.60, p < 0.00001; 717 participants). CONCLUSIONS: The systematic review has shown that ozone therapy used for six months for lumbar pain relief is more effective than other therapies; however, this result is not definitive as data from studies with moderate to high risk of bias were used.