E-cigarettes and their lone constituents induce cardiac arrhythmia and conduction defects in mice.

E-cigarette use has surged, but the long-term health effects remain unknown. E-cigarette aerosols containing nicotine and acrolein, a combustion and e-cigarette byproduct, may impair cardiac electrophysiology through autonomic imbalance. Here we show in mouse electrocardiograms that acute inhalation of e-cigarette aerosols disturbs cardiac conduction, in part through parasympathetic modulation. We demonstrate that, similar to acrolein or combustible cigarette smoke, aerosols from e-cigarette solvents (vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol) induce bradycardia, bradyarrhythmias, and elevations in heart rate variability during inhalation exposure, with inverse post-exposure effects. These effects are slighter with tobacco- or menthol-flavored aerosols containing nicotine, and in female mice. Yet, menthol-flavored and PG aerosols also increase ventricular arrhythmias and augment early ventricular repolarization (J amplitude), while menthol uniquely alters atrial and atrioventricular conduction. Exposure to e-cigarette aerosols from vegetable glycerin and its byproduct, acrolein, diminish heart rate and early repolarization. The pro-arrhythmic effects of solvent aerosols on ventricular repolarization and heart rate variability depend partly on parasympathetic modulation, whereas ventricular arrhythmias positively associate with early repolarization dependent on the presence of nicotine. Our study indicates that chemical constituents of e-cigarettes could contribute to cardiac risk by provoking pro-arrhythmic changes and stimulating autonomic reflexes.

Smoking Accelerates Atrioventricular Conduction in Humans Concordant with Increased Dopamine Release.

Smoking is associated with cardiac arrhythmia, stroke, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest, all of which may derive from increased sympathetic influence on cardiac conduction system and altered ventricular repolarization. However, knowledge of the effects of smoking on supraventricular conduction, and the role of the sympathetic nervous system in them, remains incomplete. Participants with intermediate-high cardiovascular disease risk were measured for urinary catecholamines and cotinine, and 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were measured for atrial and atrioventricular conduction times, including P duration, PR interval, and PR segment (lead II), which were analyzed for associations with cotinine by generalized linear models. Statistical mediation analyses were then used to test whether any significant associations between cotinine and atrioventricular conduction were mediated by catecholamines. ECG endpoints and urinary metabolites were included from a total of 136 participants in sinus rhythm. Atrial and atrioventricular conduction did not significantly differ between smokers (n = 53) and non-smokers (n = 83). Unadjusted and model-adjusted linear regressions revealed cotinine significantly and inversely associated with PR interval and PR segment, but not P duration. Dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine all inversely associated with PR interval, whereas only dopamine was also inversely associated with PR segment (p < 0.05). Dopamine and norepinephrine (but not epinephrine) also associated positively with cotinine. Dopamine mediated the relationship between cotinine and PR interval, as well as the relationship between cotinine and PR segment. Smoking is associated with accelerated atrioventricular conduction and elevated urinary dopamine and norepinephrine. Smoking may accelerate atrioventricular nodal conduction via increased dopamine production.

Factors associated with dengue cases in brazilian industrial area: an ecological study / Fatores associados a casos de Dengue na área industrial brasileira: um estudo ecológico

INTRODUCTION: Dengue is an acute systemic viral infectious disease, established worldwide in epidemic and endemic transmission cycles. High levels of precipitation, adequate temperatures, proximity between urban and peri-urban centers, human movement between population centers and urban solid waste (USW) production may facilitate dengue transmission and spreadOBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship between diagnosed dengue cases and socioeconomic factors, USW mass generation and rainfall indexMETHODS: Ecological study, with secondary data collection from 2010 to 2016 for each municipality of the Greater ABC Region in São Paulo, Brazil. Total population, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, USW, number of dengue cases and rainfall index were investigated. Data were collected on the websites of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the municipalities of the Greater ABC Region, the Greater ABC Intermunicipal Consortium, the Greater ABC Economic Development Agency, the National Sanitation Information System, Surveillance Epidemiological Survey of the State of São Paulo and the Department of Water and Electric Energy of the State of São Paulo. Relationships between variables were tested by Spearman correlationRESULTS: Data analysis of all municipalities showed a positive correlation between dengue cases with total population (r=0.675, p<0.01), gross domestic product per capita (r=0.539, p<0.01) and MSW by inhabitant per year (r=0.492, p<0.01). Positive correlations were also observed between total population and gross domestic product per capita (r=0.583, p<0.01), MSW / Day (r=0.302, p<0.05) and MSW/year (r=0.961, p<0.01); gross domestic product per capita and MSW/day (r=0.849, p<0.01), MSW/year (r=0.410, p<0.05) and rainfall index (RI) (r=0.416, p<0.05); MSW / day and MSW / year (r=0.389, p<0.01) and RI (r=0.388, p<0.05CONCLUSION: The larger the total population, purchasing power or socioeconomic status (GDP per capita) and the generation of MSW, the greater the number of dengue cases. Proper packaging of MSW seems to be a way to help in dengue cases control

INTRODUÇÃO: A dengue é uma doença infecciosa viral sistêmica aguda, estabelecida mundialmente em ciclos de transmissão epidêmica e endêmica. Altos níveis de precipitação, temperaturas adequadas, proximidade entre centros urbanos e peri-urbanos, movimento humano entre centros populacionais e produção de resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU) podem facilitar a transmissão e a disseminação da dengueOBJETIVO: Identificar a relação entre casos diagnosticados de dengue e fatores socioeconômicos, geração de massa de RSU e índice pluviométricoMÉTODO: Estudo ecológico, com coleta secundária de dados de 2010 a 2016 para cada município da Região do Grande do ABC, em São Paulo, Brasil. Foram investigados a população total, o produto interno bruto (PIB) per capita, RSU, número de casos de dengue e índice pluviométrico. Os dados foram coletados nos sites do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), os municípios da Região do Grande ABC, o Consórcio Intermunicipal do Grande ABC, a Agência de Desenvolvimento Econômico do Grande ABC, o Sistema Nacional de Informação sobre Saneamento, Centro de Vigilância Epidemiológica do Estado de São Paulo e o Departamento de Água e Energia Elétrica do Estado de São Paulo. As relações entre variáveis foram testadas pela correlação de SpearmanRESULTADOS: A análise dos dados de todos os municípios mostrou correlação positiva entre casos de dengue com população total (r = 0,675, p <0,01), produto interno bruto per capita (r = 0,539, p <0,01) e RSU por habitante por ano (r = 0,492, p <0,01). Também foram observadas correlações positivas entre população total e produto interno bruto per capita (r = 0,583, p <0,01), RSU / dia (r = 0,302, p <0,05) e RSU / ano (r = 0,961, p <0,01); produto interno bruto per capita e RSU / dia (r = 0,849, p <0,01), RSU / ano (r = 0,410, p <0,05) e índice de precipitação (IR) (r = 0,416, p <0,05); RSU / dia e RSU / ano (r = 0,389, p <0,01) e IR (r = 0,388, p <0,05CONCLUSÃO: Quanto maior a população total, poder de compra ou condição socioeconômica (PIB per capita) e a geração de RSU, maior o número de casos de dengue. O descarte adequada dos RSU parece ser uma maneira de ajudar no controle dos casos de dengue

Non-Alcoholic Cirrhosis and Heart Rate Variability: A Systematic Mini-Review.

. Background and Objectives: Cirrhosis is a liver disease that causes about one million deaths annually worldwide. The estimated cirrhosis prevalence ranges from 4.5-9.5% in the general population. Up to 40% of cirrhotic patients are asymptomatic and may be diagnosed late. Studies have described the importance of the functions of the liver and autonomic nervous system (ANS) and their relationship. There is limited information available on non-alcoholic cirrhosis and heart rate variability (HRV), which is a measure of the ANS. This study aimed to evaluate cardiac autonomic modulation through HRV in non-alcoholic cirrhosis individuals reported in previous observational and clinical trial studies. Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement using the Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases. Five studies were identified and reviewed. Results: HRV was decreased in patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis, even in the first stage. Conclusions: HRV could be used as a complementary method to improve both the diagnosis and prognosis of non-alcoholic cirrhosis.

Is heart rate variability a valuable method to investigate cardiac autonomic dysfunction in subjects with leukemia? A systematic review to evaluate its importance in clinical practice.

Impaired cardiovascular and autonomic function during treatment and during recovery from leukemia has been indicated. In this context, heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive measure that describes the oscillations of the intervals between consecutive heart beats (RR intervals), influenced by the autonomic nervous system. We intend to review literature showing HRV changes in leukemia subjects. The articles selected in the current review were attained up to March 2018, and the search was limited to articles in English language, published in peer-reviewed journals, with both adult and child age samples. The articles were investigated in the five electronic databases: PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cochrane Clinical Trials, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE). Towards the end of the research, 9 studies were included. Subjects undergoing treatment for leukemia have reduced HRV, signifying decreased vagal control of heart rate. The subjects that undertook leukemia treatment and their survivors experienced a reduction in HRV with subsequent recovery, but the recovery time is ill defined. HRV is reduced in leukemia subjects who progress to neuropathy secondary to chemotherapy, accompanied by cardiac dysfunction. We advocate the use of HRV to evaluate autonomic function and decide the treatment to prevent autonomic impairment in leukemia subjects.

Instruments for augmentative and alternative communication for children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review.

New technologies designed to improve the communication of autistic children can also help to promote interaction processes and cognitive and social development. The aim of this study was to analyze the instruments used to improve the communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder. We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases using the descriptors "autism", "Asperger", "education", "children" and "assistive technology" and selected articles that met the following inclusion criteria: (i) original research; (ii) written in English; (iii) based on participants with a primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder; and (iv) tested an instrument designed to promote communication in children with autism spectrum disorder. Our search retrieved 811 articles, of which 34 met the inclusion criteria. Data on 26 instruments were extracted, and the measurement properties of the instruments were combined with information about their outcomes and presentation. The most commonly used interventions were the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children program and the Picture Exchange Communication System. The Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children program was shown to produce improvements in the communication skills, socialization and self-care skills of children with autism spectrum disorder. The Picture Exchange Communication System produced inconsistent results. The results of the identified studies confirm the significant importance of these instruments in improving the communicative process of autistic children.

Correction to: Reply to the letter "Cardiac autonomic evaluation in breast cancer patients: role of cytokines and heart rate recovery".

Unfortunately, errors occurred in the original article.

Cardiac autonomic modulation impairments in advanced breast cancer patients.

AIM: To compare cardiac autonomic modulation in early- versus advanced-stage breast cancer patients before any type of cancer treatment and investigate associated factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross-sectional study included women (30-69 years old) with primary diagnosis of breast cancer and women with benign breast tumors. We evaluated cardiac modulation by heart rate variability and assessed factors of anxiety, depression, physical activity, and other relevant medical variables. Patients were divided into three groups based on TNM staging of cancer severity: early-stage cancer (n = 42), advanced-stage cancer (n = 37), or benign breast tumors to serve as a control (n = 37). We analyzed heart rate variability in time and frequency domains. The advanced-stage cancer group had lower vagal modulation than early-stage and benign groups; also, the advance-stage group had lower overall heart rate variability when compared to benign conditions. Heart rate variability was influenced by age, menopausal status, and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Heart rate variability seems to be a promising, non-invasive tool for early diagnosis of autonomic dysfunction in breast cancer and detection of cardiovascular impairments at cancer diagnosis. Cardiac autonomic modulation is inversely associated with breast cancer staging.

Augmentative and alternative communication in children with Down's syndrome: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The use of technology to assist in the communication, socialization, language, and motor skills of children with Down's syndrome (DS) is required. The aim of this study was to analyse research findings regarding the different instruments of 'augmentative and alternative communication' used in children with Down's syndrome. METHODS: This is a systematic review of published articles available on PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and BVS using the following descriptors: assistive technology AND syndrome, assistive technology AND down syndrome, down syndrome AND augmentative and alternative communication. Studies published in English were selected if they met the following inclusion criteria: (1) study of children with a diagnosis of DS, and (2) assistive technology and/or augmentative and alternative communication analysis in this population. RESULTS: A total of 1087 articles were identified. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria. The instruments most used by the studies were speech-generating devices (SGDs) and the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). CONCLUSION: Twelve instruments that provided significant aid to the process of communication and socialization of children with DS were identified. These instruments increase the interaction between individuals among this population and their peers, contributing to their quality of life and self-esteem.

Functional performance comparison between real and virtual tasks in older adults: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Ageing is usually accompanied by deterioration of physical abilities, such as muscular strength, sensory sensitivity, and functional capacity, making chronic diseases, and the well-being of older adults new challenges to global public health. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a task practiced in a virtual environment could promote better performance and enable transfer to the same task in a real environment. METHOD: The study evaluated 65 older adults of both genders, aged 60 to 82 years (M = 69.6, SD = 6.3). A timing coincident task was applied to measure the perceptual-motor ability to perform a motor response. The participants were divided into 2 groups: started in a real interface and started in a virtual interface. RESULTS: All subjects improved their performance during the practice, but improvement was not observed for the real interface, as the participants were near maximum performance from the beginning of the task. However, there was no transfer of performance from the virtual to real environment or vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: The virtual environment was shown to provide improvement of performance with a short-term motor learning protocol in a timing coincident task. This result suggests that the practice of tasks in a virtual environment seems to be a promising tool for the assessment and training of healthy older adults, even though there was no transfer of performance to a real environment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN02960165. Registered 8 November 2016.

Breast disease in men in metropolitan São Paulo - Brazil.

Although rare, breast cancer in males represents 1% of all cancer in men, and has shown increasing incidence in 25 years. To analyze age, gender, type of procedure performed and diagnosis of all cases of breast diseases in a public hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with special focus on men. Cross-sectional study of breast surgery in 2010-2014 at Hospital Municipal Universitario de Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil. In the period 999 breast surgery were carried out. Patients with benign diseases were about 30 years old and patients with malignant diseases were over 50. Most surgical procedures performed on men were on the benign condition of gynaecomastia (n=21). The prevalence of breast cancer in the male population attending the public health system in Sao Bernardo was 0.27 (per 100,000). There was a single record of malignant disease in men, a 65 years old man, with histological diagnosis of ductal carcinoma. Surgical pathology of the breast in men is a rare event, and accounts for about 2.4% of mammary surgery in the municipality of São Bernardo do Campo. Awareness is necessary for health professionals and the media, regarding breast pathologies in the male population, to reduce the prejudice in the search for an early diagnosis of a condition so strongly linked to the female for the majority of people.

Instruments for augmentative and alternative communication for children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review

New technologies designed to improve the communication of autistic children can also help to promote interaction processes and cognitive and social development. The aim of this study was to analyze the instruments used to improve the communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder. We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases using the descriptors "autism", "Asperger", "education", "children" and "assistive technology" and selected articles that met the following inclusion criteria: (i) original research; (ii) written in English; (iii) based on participants with a primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder; and (iv) tested an instrument designed to promote communication in children with autism spectrum disorder. Our search retrieved 811 articles, of which 34 met the inclusion criteria. Data on 26 instruments were extracted, and the measurement properties of the instruments were combined with information about their outcomes and presentation. The most commonly used interventions were the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children program and the Picture Exchange Communication System. The Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children program was shown to produce improvements in the communication skills, socialization and self-care skills of children with autism spectrum disorder. The Picture Exchange Communication System produced inconsistent results. The results of the identified studies confirm the significant importance of these instruments in improving the communicative process of autistic children.

CÂNCER DE MAMA E REAÇÕES EMOCIONAIS: REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA / BREAST CANCER EMOTIONAL REACTIONS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW / CÁNCER DE MAMA REACCIONES EMOCIONALES: UNA REVISÍON SISTEMÁTICA

O câncer de mama é o tipo de câncer mais comum e incidente mundialmente entre as mulheres. Da suspeita do câncer de mama ao pós-tratamento ocorrem efeitos deletérios à saúde física e psicológica, com influência na qualidade de vida das pacientes. O objetivo desde estudo foi investigar o comportamento de variáveis psicológicas e qualidade de vida de brasileiras no diagnóstico, tratamento e sobrevivência do câncer de mama. Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática de literatura pelas bases de dados Medical Literature Analysis, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Índice Bibliográfico Español en Ciencias de la Salud e Scientific Electronic Library Online, pelo termo "câncer de mama" associado a termos emocionais e cognitivos e qualidade de vida. Foram selecionados 36 artigos. Os resultados apontam que, em todas as etapas do câncer de mama, brasileiras apresentam reações emocionais de surpresa, medo, indignação, distúrbios com imagem corporal e ansiedade, que podem estar associadas à relação médico-paciente. Além disso, constatou-se que o enfrentamento da doença ocorre com auxílio da família e da religião. Concluiu-se que as mulheres brasileiras diagnosticadas, em tratamento ou sobreviventes do câncer de mama sofrem diversos impactos emocionais, psicológicos e físicos, que resultam na redução da qualidade de vida dessas pacientes.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide. There are lots of adverse effects that occur since the suspicion of breast cancer until post-treatment that affect the mental and physical health with influences to the quality of life of the patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of breast cancer on psychological aspects and quality of life of Brazilian women. The search for articles was performed in the databases Medical Literature Analysis, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Índice Bibliográfico Español en Ciencias de la Salud e Scientific Electronic Library Online, using the term "breast cancer" associated to emotional and cognitive terms and quality of life. 36 articles were selected. The results show, in all stages of the disease, women with breast cancer presented emotional reactions such as surprise, fear, indignation, disorders on body image and anxiety, that can be associated to the relation doctor-patient. Besides that, family and religion help facing the disease. In conclusion diagnosed Brazilian women, under treatment or recovered from breast cancer suffer from different emotional, psychological and physical impacts which result the reduction of the quality of life of these patients.

Cáncer de mama es el cáncer más común e incidente entre las mujeres. Desde la sospecha de cáncer de mama hasta el post-tratamiento, existen efectos nocivos para la salud física y psicológica con influencia en la calidad de vida de las pacientes. Se ha realizado una revisión sistemática para investigar los aspectos psicológicos y la calidad de vida de brasileñas diagnosticadas, en tratamiento o sobrevivientes del cáncer de mama, por las bases de datos Medical Literature Analysis, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Índice Bibliográfico Español en Ciencias de la Salud e Scientific Electronic Library Online. Fue utilizado el termino 'cáncer de mama' asociado a los términos emocionales y cognitivos y calidad de vida. Fueron seleccionados 36 artículos. Los resultados puntaron que en todas las etapas del cáncer de mama, las brasileñas manifestaron reacciones emocionales de sorpresa, miedo, indignación, disturbio de la imagen corporal y ansiedad, que pueden estar asociados con la relación medico-paciente. Adémas, se constató que el enfrentamiento a la enfermedad se ocurre con la ayuda de la familia y de la religión. Se concluyó que las mujeres brasileñas diagnosticadas, en tratamiento o sobrevivientes del cáncer de mama sufren diversos impactos emocionales, psicológicos y físicos, que resultan en la reducción de la calidad de vida de esas pacientes.

Mental health problems among medical students in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To provide a comprehensive picture of mental health problems (MHPs) in Brazilian medical students by documenting their prevalence and association with co-factors. Methods: We systematically searched the MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and PsycINFO databases for cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of MHPs among medical students in Brazil published before September 29, 2016. We pooled prevalences using a random-effects meta-analysis, and summarized factors associated with MHP. Results: We included 59 studies in the analysis. For meta-analyses, we identified the summary prevalence of different MHPs, including depression (25 studies, prevalence 30.6%), common mental disorders (13 studies, prevalence 31.5%), burnout (three studies, prevalence 13.1%), problematic alcohol use (three studies, prevalence 32.9%), stress (six studies, prevalence 49.9%), low sleep quality (four studies, prevalence 51.5%), excessive daytime sleepiness (four studies, prevalence 46.1%), and anxiety (six studies, prevalence 32.9%). Signs of lack of motivation, emotional support, and academic overload correlated with MHPs. Conclusion: Several MHPs are highly prevalent among future physicians in Brazil. Evidence-based interventions and psychosocial support are needed to promote mental health among Brazilian medical students.

Mental health problems among medical students in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive picture of mental health problems (MHPs) in Brazilian medical students by documenting their prevalence and association with co-factors. METHODS: We systematically searched the MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and PsycINFO databases for cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of MHPs among medical students in Brazil published before September 29, 2016. We pooled prevalences using a random-effects meta-analysis, and summarized factors associated with MHP. RESULTS: We included 59 studies in the analysis. For meta-analyses, we identified the summary prevalence of different MHPs, including depression (25 studies, prevalence 30.6%), common mental disorders (13 studies, prevalence 31.5%), burnout (three studies, prevalence 13.1%), problematic alcohol use (three studies, prevalence 32.9%), stress (six studies, prevalence 49.9%), low sleep quality (four studies, prevalence 51.5%), excessive daytime sleepiness (four studies, prevalence 46.1%), and anxiety (six studies, prevalence 32.9%). Signs of lack of motivation, emotional support, and academic overload correlated with MHPs. CONCLUSION: Several MHPs are highly prevalent among future physicians in Brazil. Evidence-based interventions and psychosocial support are needed to promote mental health among Brazilian medical students.

Application and outcomes of therapy combining transcranial direct current stimulation and virtual reality: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the methods and major outcomes of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with virtual reality (VR) therapy in randomized controlled trials. METHOD: A systematic review was performed following PRISMA guidelines using PubMed, PubMed Central, Web of Science and CAPES periodic databases, with no time restriction. The studies were screened for the following inclusion criteria: human subjects, combination of VR and tDCS methods, and randomized controlled study design. All potentially relevant articles were independently reviewed by two researchers, who reached a consensus on which articles met the inclusion criteria. The PEDro scale was used to evaluate the studies. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included, all of which utilized a variety of tDCS and VR application methods. The main outcomes were found to be beneficial in intervention groups of different populations, including improvements in body sway, gait, stroke recovery, pain management and vegetative reactions. CONCLUSIONS: The use of tDCS combined with VR showed positive results in both healthy and impaired patients. Future studies with larger sample sizes and homogeneous participants are required to confirm the benefits of tDCS and VR. Implications for Rehabilitation tDCS with VR intervention can be an alternative to traditional rehabilitation programs. tDCS with VR is a promising type of intervention with a variety of positive effects. Application of tDCS with VR is appropriated to both healthy and impaired patients. There is no consensus of tDCS with VR application.

Pain characterization in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between DMD and pain. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review in Medline/PubMed and BVS (virtual library in health) databases. We searched for articles that showed the terms "Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne" and "Pain" in all fields. All studies included boys diagnosed with DMD and the occurrence/amount of pain on this population. RESULTS: Initially, there were 175 studies. 167 articles were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria. The remaining eight eligible studies, involving pain assessment in DMD, were analyzed. CONCLUSION: Pain is a frequent problem in this population and this symptom is potentially tractable. Studies conclude that pain can directly influence the quality of life of this population.