Bacteriúria assintomática na gravidez de baixo risco ­ qual a evidência do seu tratamento? / Asymptomatic bacteriuria in low-risk pregnancy - what is the evidence of its treatment? / Bacteriuria asintomática en el embarazo de bajo riesgo ­ ¿cuál es la evidencia de su tratamiento?

A bacteriúria assintomática (BUA) tem estado associada a aumento do risco de pielonefrite materna e parto pré-termo. As normas de orientação clínica internacionais recomendam a sua pesquisa e tratamento durante a gravidez. No entanto, os benefícios e riscos da sua pesquisa e tratamento não são consensuais. Esta revisão tem por objetivo analisar a evidência disponível quanto à influência do tratamento da BUA na morbimortalidade materna e fetal. Os autores realizaram pesquisa na base de dados MEDLINE e sites de Medicina Baseada na Evidência, de revisões baseadas na evidência, normas de orientação clínica, meta-análises, revisões sistemáticas e ensaios clínicos controlados e aleatorizados, utilizando os termos MeSH: Bacteriuria e Pregnancy, de artigos publicados entre janeiro de 2008 e maio de 2018, em Inglês, Francês, Espanhol e Português. Para avaliação dos níveis de evidência e atribuição de forças de recomendação, foi utilizada a escala Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) da American Family Physician. Foram identificados 136 artigos, dos quais 10 cumpriam critérios de inclusão. A evidência existente, maioria baseada em estudos antigos com importantes limitações metodológicas, não permite concluir de forma clara se o tratamento da BUA influencia positivamente a morbimortalidade materna e fetal, no entanto dados recentes apontam para ausência de benefício com o tratamento da BUA em gravidezes únicas de baixo risco (Força de recomendação B), o que questiona a prática clínica corrente. Para colmatar as limitações dos estudos encontrados, são necessários estudos controlados, aleatorizados, de elevada qualidade e maior dimensão que avaliem a influência do tratamento da BUA na morbimortalidade materna e fetal.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) has been associated with an increased risk of maternal pyelonephritis (PN) and preterm birth (PTB). International clinical guidelines recommend its research and treatment during pregnancy. However, the benefit and risk of screening and treating ASB is not consensual, and this review intends to analyze the available evidence regarding the influence of ASB treatment on maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. We search on MEDLINE database and Evidence-Based Medicine sites of evidence-based reviews, clinical guidelines, meta-analysis, systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials, using the MeSH terms "Bacteriuria AND Pregnancy", of articles published between January 2008 and May 2018, in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. The Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) scale of the American Family Physician was used to assess the levels of evidence and assignment of recommendation forces. We identified 136 articles, of which ten met the inclusion criteria. The existing evidence, mostly based on outdated or small and with methodological shortcomings clinical trials, does not allow a clear conclusion as to whether the treatment of ASB positively influences maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality; the most recent data effectively points to a lack of benefit with ASB treatment (SOR B). To address the limitations of the studies found, controlled, randomized, higher quality and larger studies are needed to assess the influence of ASB treatment on maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

La bacteriuria asintomática (BUA) se ha asociado a un aumento del riesgo de pielonefritis materna y parto prematuro. Las pautas en general recomiendan la detección y tratamiento de BUA en el embarazo. Sin embargo, el beneficio y riesgo de la detección y tratamiento de la BUA no son consensuales, y esta revisión pretende analizar la evidencia disponible sobre la influencia del tratamiento de la BUA en la morbilidad y mortalidad materna y fetal. Buscamos en la base de datos MEDLINE y en los sitios de Medicina Basada en la Evidencia, de revisiones basadas en la evidencia, guías clínicas, metanálisis, revisiones sistemáticas y ensayos controlados aleatorios, utilizando los términos MeSH "Bacteriuria Y Embarazo", de artículos publicados entre enero 2008 y mayo de 2018, en inglés, francés, español y portugués. Para la evaluación de los niveles de evidencia y asignación de fuerzas de recomendación, se utilizó la escala Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) de la American Family Physician. Se identificaron 136 artículos, de los cuales 10 cumplían los criterios de inclusión. La evidencia existente, basada principalmente en ensayos clínicos obsoletos o pequeños y con deficiencias metodológicas, no permite una conclusión clara sobre si el tratamiento de la BUA influye positivamente la morbilidad y mortalidad materna y fetal; los datos más recientes apuntan a una falta de beneficio con el tratamiento de la BUA (SOR B). Para colmar las limitaciones de los estudios encontrados se necesitan estudios controlados, aleatorizados, de mayor calidad y tamaño para evaluar la influencia del tratamiento de la BUA en la morbilidad y mortalidad materna y fetal.

What keeps family physicians busy in Portugal? A multicentre observational study of work other than direct patient contacts.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the time spent by family physicians (FP) on tasks other than direct patient contact, to evaluate job satisfaction, to analyse the association between time spent on tasks and physician characteristics, the association between the number of tasks performed and physician characteristics and the association between time spent on tasks and job satisfaction. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, using time-and-motion techniques. Two workdays were documented by direct observation. A significance level of 0.05 was adopted. SETTING: Multicentric in 104 Portuguese family practices. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of FP, with lists of over 1000 patients, teaching senior medical students and first-year family medicine residents in 2012, was obtained. Of the 217 FP invited to participate, 155 completed the study. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURED: Time spent on tasks other than direct patient contact and on the performance of more than one task simultaneously, the number of direct patient contacts in the office, the number of indirect patient contacts, job satisfaction, demographic and professional characteristics associated with time spent on tasks and the number of different tasks performed, and the association between time spent on tasks and job satisfaction. RESULTS: FP (n=155) spent a mean of 143.6 min/day (95% CI 135.2 to 152.0) performing tasks such as prescription refills, teaching, meetings, management and communication with other professionals (33.4% of their workload). FP with larger patient lists spent less time on these tasks (p=0.002). Older FP (p=0.021) and those with larger lists (p=0.011) performed fewer tasks. The mean job satisfaction score was 3.5 (out of 5). No association was found between job satisfaction and time spent on tasks. CONCLUSIONS: FP spent one-third of their workday in coordinating care, teaching and managing. Time devoted to these tasks decreases with increasing list size and physician age.

[The primary care frequent attender profile]. / Perfil do hiperfrequentador nos Cuidados de Saúde Primários.

INTRODUCTION: Frequent attenders are believed to represent a problem in Primary Care, with human, economic and social impact. The present study aimed to describe these patients' sociodemographic and pathological characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study with analytical component was conducted in the population of frequent attenders in a Portuguese Primary Health Care Practice, between January 2007 and December 2009, allocated to six General Practitioners. Sociodemographic characteristics as well as data related to physical and mental illness were collected from clinical records. Associations between variables were tested with χ-square and t-test. The top quartile of frequent attenders was compared with the remaining population. The adopted significance level was 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 582 individuals evaluated, with a mean age of 55.4 years (men 58.6 and women 54.3; p = 0.006), 85% had chronic physical illness and 42% had chronic psychiatric illness. In the upper quartile of frequent attenders was observed a higher prevalence of chronic psychiatric illness (p < 0.001), as well as multiple pathology (p = 0.01), when compared to the remaining population. Individuals with physical illness were older (mean age: 58.0 years vs 40.1 years; p < 0.001) while those with chronic psychiatric illness were younger (mean age 53.7 years vs 56.6; p = 0.035). DISCUSSION: It was drawn a profile of the frequent attender consistent with international literature, at a time when there are no studies in Portuguese Primary Care settings. Information and selection bias were detected and minimized. In order to discriminate between frequent attenders, the upper quartile was compared with the remaining population. Some features seemed to be more associated with frequent attendance, such as advanced age, low educational level and the presence of chronic psychiatric illness. CONCLUSION: The frequent attender of this Portuguese Primary Care Practice is a female, in the sixth decade of life, with low educational level, married or living as a couple, coming from a nuclear family, and often with chronic illness. Knowledge of these patients may allow the development of strategies that lead to more cost-effective health care services. This study shows some guidelines for studies on this important population.

Abstract available from the publisher.

[Management of adult secondary insomnia in primary health care]. / Abordagem da insónia secundária do adulto nos cuidados de saúde primários.

INTRODUCTION: Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in adults, with secondary insomnia being the most prevalent. This sleep disorder is associated with important medical and social consequences. The General Practitioner (GP) plays a key role in the diagnosis of insomnia, which may affect about 69% of their patients in the PHC (Primary Health Care). OBJECTIVES: Recognize the differential diagnosis of secondary insomnia in adults, evaluate and manage these patients in the PHC, appropriately use the treatments available and meet the criteria for referral. METHODS: Bibliographic search in MEDLINE databases, and evidence based review databases, using the MeSH terms: Primary Health Care, Sleep Disorders, Insomnia, for articles published since January 2000 until July 2009, in English, Portuguese, French and Spanish. Index de Revistas Médicas Portuguesas and scientific societies dedicated to sleep disorders were searched. RESULTS: Mood and anxiety disorders are the main co-morbidities associated with secondary insomnia, being present in 30% to 50% of patients with insomnia. The medical pathology and substance abuse are present respectively in 10% of patients. It is essential a proper clinical history, with a history of sleep, sleep diary and the partner information. There is evidence that the combination of specific pharmacological treatments (benzodiazepines and the benzodiazepine receptor agonists) with the nonpharmacological (cognitive-behavioral therapy) may be useful in secondary insomnia, as co-adjuvant treatment of the underlying disease. There are several treatment options with their indications and adverse effects. The criteria for referral should be defined according to the availability of human resources. CONCLUSION: Due to the high prevalence and the serious consequences of secondary insomnia in adults, it must be systematically managed by the GP. It is important to know and to use non-pharmacological therapy in GP consultation, because this therapy was shown to be important in treating this type of insomnia. The GP must know the precise indications for pharmacological treatment and criteria for referral.

O uso da Aspirina na Prevenção Primária da doença cardiovascular: novas atualizações / The use of Aspirin in Primary Prevention of cardiovascular disease: new updates / El uso de la Aspirina en la Prevención Primaria de la enfermedad cardiovascular: nuevas actualizaciones

Muitas vezes os Médicos de Família têm de tomar a decisão de iniciar ou não o uso de aspirina nos seus pacientes. Embora os benefícios do tratamento com aspirina na redução do risco de enfarte do miocárdio (EM), acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) ou morte de causa vascular entre homens e mulheres com doença cardiovascular (DCV) pré-existente estejam bem estabelecidos, o papel da aspirina na prevenção primária é menos claro. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as indicações para o uso da aspirina na prevenção primária da DCV no adulto, baseadas na melhor evidência disponível. O autor pesquisou revisões baseadas em evidência, normas de orientação clínica, meta-análises, revisões sistemáticas e ensaios clínicos controlados e aleatorizados, na base de dados Medline e sites de Medicina Baseada na Evidência, utilizando os termos MeSH: Primary Prevention e Aspirin, publicados desde janeiro de 2000 até dezembro de 2009 em inglês, espanhol e português. Para avaliar o nível de evidência, foi utilizada a escala de Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) da American Family Physician. As conclusões são: no homem entre os 45 e os 79 anos de idade deve ser encorajado o uso da aspirina quando o potencial benefício cardiovascular, prevenção de EM, ultrapassa o potencial dano de hemorragia gastrointestinal (GI) (SOR A); na mulher entre os 55 e os 79 anos de idade deve ser encorajado o uso da aspirina quando o potencial benefício cardiovascular, prevenção de AVC, ultrapassa o potencial dano de hemorragia GI (SOR A); a aspirina pode reduzir o risco de EM no diabético do sexo masculino (SOR B); ponderar o uso da aspirina como prevenção primária da DCV nos diabéticos tipo 1 e tipo 2 com risco cardiovascular aumentado, incluindo aqueles com >40 anos ou que têm fatores de risco adicionais (história familiar de DCV, HTA, fumantes, dislipidemia, ou albuminúria) (SOR B).

Many times the Family Physicians need to make the decision of start to use or not aspirin in their patients. Although the benefits of treatment with aspirin in reducing the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or vascular cause of death among men and women with pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) are well established, the role of aspirin in primary prevention is less clear. So, the objective of this work is to determine the indications of aspirin use for the primary prevention of CVD in adults, based in the best available evidence. The author searched evidence-based reviews, guidelines, meta-analysis, systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials, in Medline database and evidence-based medicine sites, using the MeSH terms: "Aspirin and Primary Prevention". The search was limited to articles published between January 2000 and December 2009 in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) of the American Family Physician was used to assess the Level of Evidence. The conclusions are: the men between 45 and 79 years should be encouraged to use aspirin if the potential cardiovascular benefit, prevention of MI, outweighs the potential damage of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (SOR A); the women between 55 and 79 years should be encouraged to use aspirin if the potential cardiovascular benefit, the prevention of stroke, outweighs the potential damage of GI bleeding (SOR A); aspirin can reduce the risk of MI in the diabetic males (SOR B); consider the use of aspirin for primary prevention of CVD in diabetes type 1 and type 2 with increased cardiovascular risk, including those aged >40 years or who have additional risk factors (family history of CVD, hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, and albuminuria) ( SOR B).

A menudo, los médicos de familia tienen que decidir se inician o no el uso de la aspirina en los pacientes. Aunque los beneficios de la terapia con aspirina en la reducción del riesgo de infarto de miocardio (IM), accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) o muerte vascular entre los hombres y mujeres con enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV) preexistentes son bien establecidos, el papel de la aspirina en prevención primaria es menos claro. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las indicaciones para el uso de la aspirina en la prevención primaria de ECV en adultos, basadas en la mejor prueba disponible. El autor investigó revisiones clínicas basadas en la evidencia práctica, meta-análisis, revisiones sistemáticas y ensayos clínicos controlados aleatorios, en la base de datos Medline, y los sitios de la Medicina Basada en Pruebas, utilizando los términos MeSH: Aspirina y prevención primaria, publicado desde enero de 2000 hasta diciembre de 2009 en inglés, español y portugués. Para evaluar el nivel de escala de las pruebas de calificación, se utilizó para la fuerza de la Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) de American Family Physician. Las conclusiones son las siguientes: en los hombres entre 45 y 79 años de edad, ellos deben ser alentados a utilizar la aspirina si el beneficio potencial cardiovascular, la prevención de la EM, es mayor que el daño potencial de hemorragia gastrointestinal (GI) (SOR A); en mujeres entre 55 y 79 años de edad, deben ser alentados a utilizar aspirina si el potencial beneficio cardiovascular, prevención del ACV, es mayor que el daño potencial de sangrado del tracto gastrointestinal (SOR A); la aspirina puede reducir el riesgo de infarto de miocardio en hombres diabéticos (SOR B); considerar el uso de aspirina para la prevención primaria de ECV en la diabetes tipo 1 y tipo 2 con riesgo cardiovascular aumentado, incluyendo aquellos con >40 años o que tienen factores de riesgo adicionales (historia familiar de enfermedad cardiovascular, hipertensión, tabaquismo, dislipidemia o albuminuria) (SOR B).

Articulação de cuidados pelo médico de Medicina Geral e Familiar: promovendo a melhoria da qualidade de vida em doente terminal / Care articulation by the Family Physician: improvement in the quality of life in terminal patient / Articulación de cuidados por el médico de Medicina General y Familiar: promoviendo la mejoría de calidad de la vida en el enfermo terminal

Introdução: De acordo com a definição do papel do especialista de Medicina Geral e Familiar (EMGF), apresentada na declaração da Wonca Europeia de 2002, uma das suas características é a capacidade de coordenação de cuidados e gestão da interface com outras especialidades. Contudo, existem graves problemas de articulação entre os níveis assistenciais, de que é exemplo a descontinuidade dos cuidados quando os doentes são hospitalizados. Com o objetivo de dar a conhecer e analisar um caso particular de articulação entre os cuidados de saúde primários (CSP) e hospitalares e o quão importante é o sucesso de uma boa articulação, relatou-se um caso clínico. Desenvolvimento: Doente do sexo masculino, de 50 anos de idade, raça caucasiana, inserido em uma família nuclear na fase VI do Ciclo de Duvall. Aos 49 anos de idade é diagnosticado, pela sua Médica de Família (MF), um adenocarcinoma gástrico. Referenciado com urgência à consulta de Cirurgia Geral, é internado e operado, sofrendo longos internamentos por diversas intercorrências cirúrgicas. É confirmado um adenocarcinoma gástrico pouco diferenciado e infiltrativo no estádio T3 N1 Mx, com mau prognóstico. Desde então existiu grave desarticulação de cuidados e lacunas de informação entre os cuidados hospitalares e os CSP. Assistiu-se a uma má prestação de cuidados ao doente, com agravamento do seu estado geral. Por insistência da MF a articulação passou a ser efetiva, havendo melhoria da qualidade dos cuidados prestados e do estado geral do doente. Conclusão: Uma boa articulação de cuidados contribuiu para uma melhor qualidade de vida e satisfação do doente, com repercussões positivas para a sua família, para os profissionais de saúde envolvidos e para o Serviço Nacional de Saúde. A realização plena das competências nucleares do EMGF só será possível quando houver um conhecimento e reconhecimento do papel desse especialista por todos os outros profissionais de saúde. Nota: A denominação da especialidade varia de acordo com o país; no Brasil, recebe o nome de Medicina de Família e Comunidade. Em Portugal, país de origem do autor deste trabalho, tal especialidade é chamada de Medicina Geral e Familiar. Foram mantidos na linguagem original outros termos e expressões contidos neste texto.

Introduction: According to the definition of the role of the Family Physician (FP) presented in the statement of the European Wonca 2002, one of her/his features is the ability of coordination of care, and management of the interface with other specialties. However, there are serious problems of coordination between the levels of assistance, as showed by the discontinuity of care when patients are hospitalized. With the aim of raising awareness and analyze a particular case of interface between the Primary Health Care (PHC) and Hospital, and how important is the success of a good collaboration, this case is reported. Description of case: Male, 50 years old, caucasian race, inserted into a nuclear family in the stage VI Duvall's cycle. A gastric adenocarcinoma by his FP was diagnosed at 49 years old. The patient was referenced to urgent consultation of general surgery. With various surgical complications he had a long internment. A poorly differentiated and infiltrating gastric carcinoma at the stage T3 N1 Mx, with poor prognosis, was confirmed. There was serious lack of interface and gaps in information between the hospital and the PHC. There was a bad care of the patient, with worsening of his condition. At the insistence of the FP, the articulation becomes effective and there was improved in quality of care and of the general condition of the patient. Conclusion: A proper interface and coordination of care contributed to better quality of life and satisfaction of patients, with positive repercussions for their families, to health professionals involved and to the National Health Service. The completion of the FP core competencies will only be possible when his/her proper function will be recognized and known by all the other health professionals. Note: The speciality physician denomination changes according to the country; in Brazil, it receives the name of Medicina de Família e Comunidade. In Portugal, country of the author of this paper, this speciality is named Medicina Geral e Familiar. Other terms or expressions of this paper were kept in its original language.

Introducción: De acuerdo a la definición del papel de los Especialistas de Medicina General y de Familia (EMGF), presentada en la declaración de WONCA Europea de 2002, una de sus características es la capacidad de coordinación de cuidados y gestión de la interface con otras especialidades. Sin embargo, hay graves problemas de articulación entre los niveles asistenciales, de que es ejemplo la discontinuidad de los cuidados cuando los enfermos son hospitalizados. Con el objetivo de dar a conocer y analizar un caso particular de articulación entre los cuidados de la Salud Primarios (CSP) y hospitaleros y lo cuanto importante es el suceso de una buena articulación, se relata un caso clínico. Desarrollo: Enfermo del sexo masculino, de 50 años de edad, caucásico, inserido en una familia nuclearen la fase VI del ciclo de Duvall. A los 49 años de edad de edad es diagnosticado, por su médica de familia (MF), un adenocarcinoma gástrico. Referenciado con urgencia a la consulta de Cirugía General, es internado y operado, sufriendo longos internamientos por diversas intercurrencias quirúrgicas. Es confirmado un adenocarcinoma gástrico poco diferenciado y infiltradito en estado T3 N1Mx, con mal pronóstico. Desde entonces hubo grave desarticulación de cuidados y lagunas de información entre los cuidados hospitaleros y los CSP. Se percibió una mala prestación de cuidados al paciente, con agravamiento de su estado general, por insistencia de la MF y la articulación pasó a ser efectiva, ocurriendo mejoría de la calidad de los cuidados prestados y del estado general del enfermo. Conclusión: Una buena articulación de cuidados contribuyó para una mejor calidad de vida y satisfacción del enfermo, con repercusiones positivas para a su familia, para los profesionales de salud envueltos y para el Servicio Nacional de Salud. La realización pela de las competencias nucleares del EMGF sólo será posible cuando hay un conocimiento y reconocimiento del papel de este especialista por todos los otros profesionales de la salud. Nota: La denominación de la especialidad varia de acuerdo al país, en Brasil recibe el nombre de Medicina de Família e Comunidade. En Portugal, país de origen del autor(es) de este trabajo, la misma es llamada de Medicina Geral e Familiar.

Political borders as scientific barriers in general practice. Portugal and Spain as a case study.

INTRODUCTION: Borders do not only mean the existence of limits, but also of barriers. For example, despite the cultural and geographic proximity, there seems to be a considerable lack of awareness and ignorance among Portuguese and Spanish GP's of their Iberian neighbour's scientific production, particularly among the Spanish side, which is biased towards the work and publications of authors from Anglo-Saxon and Northern European countries. METHODS: The authors thus carried out an analysis of the last 12 issues of both the Portuguese and Spanish General Practice flagship journals, counting back from the last issue of 2008. RESULTS: The authors found out that only 3% of the citations in the Portuguese journal were from Spanish authors, and there were no citations of Portuguese authors in the Spanish journal. CONCLUSION: These results highlight an important and common problem in Europe, namely the lack of awareness of the primary care reality in two neighbouring European countries, which results in low levels of scientific exchange, and few joint meetings and publications.

[Management of menopause in primary health care]. / Abordagem da menopausa nos cuidados de saúde primários.

INTRODUCTION: Menopause is a biological process that occurs as part of aging in women. The increase in average life expectancy and the decline in mortality have caused the aging of global population and, currently, women live about a third of their life in postmenopausal. The General Physician (GP) is usually the first health professional whom women rely on to relieve their menopause symptoms. It is essential for the GP to know how to properly approach women at this stage of their life and how to provide them the best support. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate women in perimenopause and postmenopausal, to recognize its signs and symptoms, and to use properly the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in Primary Health Care (PHC). METHODS: We performed a literature search in the PubMed database using the MeSH terms: Menopause, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Primary Health Care. The search was limited to articles published between January 2000 and March 2009 in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Recommendations from Scientific Societies were also searched. RESULTS: During menopause women are more predisposed to change their habits and to adopt healthy lifestyles. The GP plays a key role in health promotion among these women. The most common complaints that lead women to the PHC during perimenopause are vasomotor symptoms, sleep disorders, weight gain, uterine bleeding, urogenital and sexual changes and disturbances of mood and memory. The use of HRT is only recommended for the control of severe vasomotor symptoms that affect women's quality of life, as well as for vaginal atrophy and urinary symptoms. It should be used for a short period of time and in the lowest dose. It is important for the GP to know the existing formulations, the way of administration and the correct monitoring of this therapy. CONCLUSION: Women experience physical and psychological changes during perimenopause and postmenopausal, resulting from aging and hypoestrogenism. It is essential that the GP recognizes the symptoms and their impact on quality of life of women, offering treatment when necessary. The HRT and its follow-up can be performed in PHC, if the GP know how to use this type of treatment.