Increasing rate of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies between the first and second waves of COVID-19 in Sao Paulo, Brazil: A cross-sectional blood donors-based study

ABSTRACT Background: SARS-CoV-2 infections rapidly spread along with Brazilian territory with heterogeneous transmission and mortality rates, mostly depending on region and period. Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is an important tool to understand virus circulation. Given that blood donors are a representative casuistic of a healthy population, the authors evaluated the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM COVID-19 antibodies in 2,806 blood donors from a blood bank located in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Aiming to evaluate viral behavior over time, the authors selected samples from blood donors who donated in June and October 2020, and February 2021. To determine whether socio-demographic features affected the seroprevalence, the authors analyzed samples from three different regions from São Paulo (capital, metropolitan and countryside regions) and evaluated predictors as gender, age, educational level, race, and use of public transportation. Results: As expected, the authors observed that seroprevalence increased over time. Seroprevalence was greater in São Paulo city compared to metropolitan and countryside regions, being smallest in the countryside. Characteristics associated with a lower percentage of antibodies were age above 50 years, higher educational level, self-declared Caucasian, and use of individual transportation. Conclusion: In conclusion, blood donors' samples proved to accurately reflect virus circulation in the healthy population.

Antibody indexes in COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors: Unanswered questions.

OBJECTIVE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is characterized by high contagiousness, as well as variable clinical manifestations and immune responses. The antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 is directly related to viral clearance and the antibodies' ability to neutralize the virus and confer long-term immunity. Nevertheless, the response can also be associated with disease severity and evolution. This study correlated the clinical characteristics of convalescent COVID-19 patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. METHODS: This study included 51 COVID-19 health care professionals who were candidates for convalescent plasma donation from April to June 2020. The subjects had symptomatic COVID-19 with a polymerase chain reaction-confirmed diagnosis. We measured anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG antibodies after symptom recovery, and the subjects were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. RESULTS: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were positive in most patients (90.2%). The antibody indexes for IgA and IgG did not differ significantly between patients presenting with mild or moderate symptoms. However, they were significantly higher in patients with severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed an association between higher antibody indexes and severe COVID-19 cases, and several hypotheses regarding the association of the antibody dynamics and severity of the disease in SARS-CoV-2 infection have been raised, although many questions remain unanswered.

Antibody indexes in COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors: Unanswered questions

OBJECTIVE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is characterized by high contagiousness, as well as variable clinical manifestations and immune responses. The antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 is directly related to viral clearance and the antibodies' ability to neutralize the virus and confer long-term immunity. Nevertheless, the response can also be associated with disease severity and evolution. This study correlated the clinical characteristics of convalescent COVID-19 patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. METHODS: This study included 51 COVID-19 health care professionals who were candidates for convalescent plasma donation from April to June 2020. The subjects had symptomatic COVID-19 with a polymerase chain reaction-confirmed diagnosis. We measured anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG antibodies after symptom recovery, and the subjects were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. RESULTS: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were positive in most patients (90.2%). The antibody indexes for IgA and IgG did not differ significantly between patients presenting with mild or moderate symptoms. However, they were significantly higher in patients with severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed an association between higher antibody indexes and severe COVID-19 cases, and several hypotheses regarding the association of the antibody dynamics and severity of the disease in SARS-CoV-2 infection have been raised, although many questions remain unanswered.

Metabolic syndrome in women with and without stress urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a disease of multifactorial etiology characterized by increased waist circumference, elevated triglyceride levels, decreased HDL cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and hyperglycemia. The objective of this study was to compare the frequency of MS in patients with and without stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: The components of MS were evaluated in 85 women with SUI seen at the Urogynecology and Vaginal Surgery Sector of the Gynecology Department of Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP-EPM) and in 108 women without SUI seen at the General Gynecology Clinic of the Gynecology Department of UNIFESP-EPM. RESULTS: The MS diagnosis was more prevalent in patients with SUI, with the frequency according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria being 69.4% in the case group with SUI and 38% in the control group, whereas according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III recommendations, MS was frequent in 64.7% of the cases and 25% of the controls. Each MS component was evaluated, and the body mass index, weight and waist circumference were significantly higher in the case group (with SUI) compared with the control group (p < 0.001). The women in the case group showed an average HDL cholesterol value statistically lower and triglyceride and glycemia values statistically higher than the women in the control group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: MS frequency was higher in patients with SUI, which shows a possible association between these two conditions.

Treatment of Non-neurogenic Overactive Bladder with OnabotulinumtoxinA: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trials.

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials that studied non-neurogenic overactive bladder patients who were treated with 100 units of onabotulinumtoxinA or placebo. The primary purpose of our study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness with regard to urinary urgency, urinary frequency, nocturia, and incontinence episodes. Our secondary purpose consisted of evaluating the adverse effects. Our initial search yielded 532 entries. Of these, seven studies met all the inclusion criteria (prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled studies, ≥ 3 points on the Jadad scale) and were selected for analysis. For all primary endpoints, the toxin was more effective than placebo (p < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval [95CI]), namely: urgency (mean difference = -2.07; 95CI = [-2.55-1.58]), voiding frequency (mean difference = -1.64; 95CI = [-2.10-1.18]), nocturia (mean difference = -0.25; 95CI = [-0.39-0.11]) and incontinence episodes (mean difference = -2.06; 95CI= [-2.60-1.52]). The need for intermittent catheterization and the occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI) were more frequent in patients treated with onabotulinumtoxinA than in patients treated with placebo (p < 0.0001). Compared with placebo, onabotulinumtoxinA had significantly and clinically relevant reductions in overactive bladder symptoms and is associated with higher incidence of intermittent catheterization and UTI.

Realizou-se revisão sistemática e metanálise de estudos clínicos prospectivos, randomizados e placebo-controlados que comparavam a toxina botulínica ao placebo no tratamento da bexiga hiperativa. O objetivo primário desta metanálise foi avaliar a eficácia da toxina botulínica em relação à urgência urinária, frequência miccional, noctúria e episódios de incontinência. O objetivo secundário foi avaliar os efeitos adversos. Selecionamos estudos que incluíram somente pacientes com bexiga hiperativa não-neurogênica tratada com 100 unidades de onabotulinum toxina A ou placebo (grupo controle). Foram encontrados 532 estudos após as buscas iniciais, dos quais sete apresentaram todos os critérios de inclusão (estudos prospectivos, randomizados, placebo-controlados, ≥ 3 pontos na escala de Jadad) e fizeram parte desta análise. Para todos os objetivos primários a toxina foi mais eficaz do que o placebo, com p < 0,0001 e intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%: urgência (diferença média = -2,07, IC = [-2,55; -1,58]), freqüência miccional (diferença média = -1,64, IC = [-2,10; -1,18]), noctúria (diferença média = -0,25, IC = [-0,39; -0,11]) e episódios de incontinência (diferença média = -2,06, IC= [-2,60; -1,52]). A necessidade de cateterização intermitente e a ocorrência de infecção urinária (ITU) foram mais frequentes no grupo toxina na comparação com o grupo placebo (p < 0,0001). A toxina botulínica promoveu melhora significativa dos sintomas de bexiga hiperativa na comparação com o placebo. Entretanto, está associada a uma maior incidência de cateterismo intermitente e infecção do trato urinário.

Treatment of non-neurogenic overactive bladder with onabotulinumtoxina: systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials / Tratamento da bexiga hiperativa não neurogênica com toxina botulínica A: revisão sistemática e metanálise de ensaios clínicos prospectivos, randomizados e placebo-controlados

Abstract We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials that studied non-neurogenic overactive bladder patients who were treated with 100 units of onabotulinumtoxinA or placebo. The primary purpose of our study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness with regard to urinary urgency, urinary frequency, nocturia, and incontinence episodes. Our secondary purpose consisted of evaluating the adverse effects. Our initial search yielded 532 entries. Of these, seven studies met all the inclusion criteria (prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled studies, ≥ 3 points on the Jadad scale) and were selected for analysis. For all primary endpoints, the toxin was more effective than placebo (p < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval [95CI]), namely: urgency (mean difference = -2.07; 95CI = [-2.55-1.58]), voiding frequency (mean difference = - 1.64; 95CI = [-2.10-1.18]), nocturia (mean difference = -0.25; 95CI = [-0.39-0.11]) and incontinence episodes (mean difference = -2.06; 95CI= [-2.60-1.52]). The need for intermittent catheterization and the occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI) were more frequent in patients treated with onabotulinumtoxinA than in patients treated with placebo (p < 0.0001). Compared with placebo, onabotulinumtoxinA had significantly and clinically relevant reductions in overactive bladder symptoms and is associated with higher incidence of intermittent catheterization and UTI.

Resumo Realizou-se revisão sistemática emetanálise de estudos clínicos prospectivos, randomizados e placebo-controlados que comparavam a toxina botulínica ao placebo no tratamento da bexiga hiperativa. O objetivo primário desta metanálise foi avaliar a eficácia da toxina botulínica em relação à urgência urinária, frequência miccional, noctúria e episódios de incontinência. O objetivo secundário foi avaliar os efeitos adversos. Selecionamos estudos que incluíram somente pacientes com bexiga hiperativa não-neurogênica tratada com 100 unidades de onabotulinum toxina A ou placebo (grupo controle). Foram encontrados 532 estudos após as buscas iniciais, dos quais sete apresentaram todos os critérios de inclusão (estudos prospectivos, randomizados, placebo-controlados, ≥ 3pontosnaescalade Jadad) e fizeram parte desta análise. Para todos os objetivosprimários a toxina foimais eficaz do que o placebo, comp < 0,0001 e intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%: urgência (diferençamédia = -2,07, IC=[-2,55; -1,58]), freqüênciamiccional (diferençamédia=-1,64, IC=[-2,10; -1,18]), noctúria (diferençamédia=-0,25, IC=[-0,39; -0,11]) e episódios de incontinência (diferença média = -2,06, IC= [-2,60; -1,52]). A necessidade de cateterização intermitente e a ocorrência de infecção urinária (ITU) forammais frequentes no grupo toxina na comparação como grupo placebo (p < 0,0001). A toxina botulínica promoveu melhora significativa dos sintomas de bexiga hiperativa na comparação com o placebo. Entretanto, está associada a uma maior incidência de cateterismo intermitente e infecção do trato urinário.

Women's Sleep Disorders: Integrative Care.

The integrative care model is rooted in a biopsychosocial approach. Integrative is a term which refers to increasing the harmony and coherence of your whole being, and integrative care is therefore focused on the person, not on either the disease or a therapy. It is provided collaboratively by a health team comprising physicians, psychologists, physiotherapists, acupuncturists, and meditation, nutrition, and floral therapy. Previous studies have demonstrated that interventions based on the integrative care model improved womens lifestyle and quality of life. Our aim was to describe the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) alongside traditional medicine among women with sleep conditions in our Womens Sleep Disorders Integrative Treatment Outpatient Clinic. We are sharing our experiences and clinical practice as the model we developed seems to have both physical and psychological benefits for women with sleep problems. We discuss the wide range of benefits that result from this type of complex intervention, and the contextual factors that may influence these benefits. This will inform future practitioners and we hope to contribute to quantitative research in the clinical setting. The study highlights the importance of treating sleep complaints with a caring relationship and a CAM approach, alongside conventional medicine. Exploration of the lived experience of CAM and its meaning enables healthcare professionals to gain insights into the patients needs, preferences, and values. Gynecologists, clinicians, and health care providers should support and guide patients in their decision to use CAM by providing evidence-based and comprehensive advice on the potential benefits, risks and related safety issues of this approach.

Ultrasound thickness of bladder wall in continent and incontinent women and its correlation with cystometry.

OBJECTIVE: To compare bladder wall thickness in two kinds of urinary incontinent women-stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and overactive bladder (OAB) with urodynamic detrusor overactivity (DO), and to compare them with continent patients by ultrasound, also, correlate with cystometric results in incontinent women. METHODS: 91 women were divided into the following groups: continent (n = 31), SUI (n = 30), and DO (n = 30) groups after clinical evaluation and urodynamic test (only in incontinent women). Transvaginal ultrasound was performed to the bladder wall thickness (BWT) measurement. The mean of BWT was calculated and data were analyzed with ANOVA and Turkey's multiple comparison tests. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to compare two variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to study BWT as a diagnostic parameter. RESULTS: BWT in DO group was significantly higher than that in the other groups (P < 0.005). A moderate positive correlation was found between BWT and maximum bladder pressure during involuntary bladder contraction. There was no difference in BWT between SUI and continent groups. DO group had lower first desire to void and cystometric capacity. Maximum bladder pressure at detrusor contraction had a moderate positive correlation with BWT. The ROC revealed an area under the curve of 0.962 (95% CI, 0.90-1.01). CONCLUSIONS: DO patients have increased bladder wall thickness, lower first desire to void, and lower cystometric capacity. There was a moderate correlation between BWT and maximum bladder pressure during involuntary bladder contraction.

Fisioterapia para consciência perineal: uma comparação entre as cinesioterapias com toque digital e com auxílio do biofeedback / Physiotherapy to pineal consciousness: a comparison between pelvic floor muscle training alone and with biofeedback

INTRODUÇÃO: Grande parte das mulheres (cerca de 30 a 50%) não consegue contrair corretamente seus músculos perineais quando isso lhes é solicitado. Provavelmente, a parte mais importante e também a mais delicada de toda avaliação fisioterapêutica é a conscientização da região perineal das pacientes incontinentes. OBJETIVO: Este trabalho teve como objetivo comparar os efeitos das cinesioterapias com toque digital e com biofeedback para consciência perineal de mulheres com incontinência urinária de esforço. METODOLOGIA: Foi realizado um ensaio clínico randomizado, composto por dois grupos intervencionais, formados por cinco mulheres cada, com incontinência urinária de esforço e com ausência de consciência perineal. RESULTADOS: Inicialmente, o grupo de biofeedback seria composto de seis mulheres e o grupo de cinesioterapia com toque bidigital seria formado por cinco mulheres, porém uma paciente foi excluída do grupo biofeedback no decorrer da pesquisa. Observou-se que houve melhora estatisticamente significativa em ambos os grupos em relação a Power, Endurance, Fast e conhecimentos acerca da região perineal, porém não houve diferença significativa entre os dois grupos, ou seja, ambos os recursos são igualmente eficazes. CONCLUSÃO: Diante dos resultados apresentados, podemos concluir que tanto a cinesioterapia com uso do biofeedback quanto a cinesioterapia com toque digital são excelentes opções de tratamento para ganho de consciência perineal.

INTRODUCTION: A significant number of women (around 30 to 50%) are unable to contract correctly their pelvic floor muscles when given a command. OBJECTIVE: This study's objective was to compare pelvic floor muscle training with digital palpation to pelvic floor muscle training with biofeedback for perineal consciousness of women with stress urinary incontinence. METHOD: It was conducted a randomized clinical trial, comprising two groups, each of them formed by five interventional women with stress urinary incontinence and without perineal consciousness. RESULTS: Initially, the biofeedback group was formed by six women and the pelvic floor muscle training group was formed by five women, but one patient was excluded from the biofeedback group during the research. It was observed that there was a statistically significant improvement in both groups for the Power, Endurance, Fast and knowledge of the perineal region, but there was no significant difference between the two groups, i.e., both treatments are equally effective. CONCLUSION: Given the results, we conclude that both pelvic floor training with digital palpation and with biofeedback are excellent treatment options to gain perineal awareness.

Perfil clínico, funcional e sociodemográfico das pacientes com incontinência urinária atendidas em um serviço público de fisioterapia uroginecológica / Clinical, functional and sociodemographic profile of patients with urinary incontinence attended at public service of urogynecologic physiotherapy

Introdução: Alguns fatores estão associados ao desenvolvimentoda incontinência urinária (IU), porém, existem poucos estudosque descrevem o perfil das mulheres com IU que procuram assistênciafisioterapêutica. Objetivo: Caracterizar e investigar possíveiscorrelações entre o perfil sociodemográfico e o diagnóstico clínico efuncional das mulheres com IU atendidas em um serviço público deFisioterapia Uroginecológica. Material e métodos: Foram levantadosos dados: idade, escolaridade, raça, profissão, tipo de IU, estadohormonal, presença de contração muscular perineal e função dacontração muscular do assoalho pélvico (escala Perfect), por meio defichas de avaliação de 452 pacientes. Para a análise estatística utilizou--se os testes Qui-quadrado, exato de Fisher, t de Student, ANOVAcom pós-teste de Tukey. Resultados: A maioria das pacientes era daraça branca e se encontrava no período pós-menopausa. A maiormédia de idade foi encontrada no grupo de pacientes com IU deurgência. Os tipos mais frequentes de IU foram IU de esforço e IUmista. As pacientes que exerciam a profissão de empregada domésticaapresentaram menor endurance do que as pacientes que exerciamatividade profissional na posição sentada (p < 0,05). Conclusão: Opresente estudo permitiu caracterizar e observar correlações entreo perfil sociodemográfico e o diagnóstico clínico e funcional daspacientes.

Introduction: Some factors are associated with the developmentof urinary incontinence (UI), however, there are very few studies thatdescribe the profile of women with UI who seek physical therapy assistance.Purpose: To characterize and investigate possible correlationsbetween the sociodemographic profile and clinical and functionaldiagnosis of women with UI attended at a public urogynecologicalphysical therapy service. Methods: The following data were collected:age, education, race, occupation, type of incontinence, hormonalstatus, presence of perineal muscle contraction and the pelvicfloor muscle function (Perfect scale), by analysis of 452 patientsdossiers. For statistical analyses Chi-square test, Fisher exact test,Student t test and Anova (with Tukey posttest) were used. Results:Most patients were white and were in the postmenopausal period.The eldest patients were those with urge urinary incontinence. Themost frequent type of UI was stress urinary incontinence and mixedurinary incontinence. The housekeepers had lower endurance thanpatients with sedentary job (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Were observedcorrelations between the sociodemographic profile and the clinicaland functional diagnosis of the patients.

Long-term and short-term effects of simulated birth trauma, cesarean and vaginal delivery on sulfated glycosaminoglycans in the urethra of female rats.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study assesses the effects of simulated birth trauma, vaginal and cesarean delivery on glycosaminoglycans in the connective tissue of female rat urethra. METHODS: One hundred and ten female rats were divided into six groups: A--control, B--vaginal trauma, C--cesarean delivery, D--cesarean delivery followed by vaginal trauma, E--vaginal delivery, and F--female rats on the 20th day of gestation. In each group, half of the animals were sacrificed 4 days after the procedures and half were sacrificed 12 weeks later. Glycosaminoglycans were extracted by proteolysis and analyzed using densitometry after agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: The examination at 4 days showed larger amounts of glycosaminoglycans in pregnant female rats compared to other groups. The examination at 12 weeks showed larger amounts of glycosaminoglycans in the cesarean delivery group followed by simulated birth trauma. CONCLUSIONS: There is a change in sulfated glycosaminoglycans in female rat urethra during pregnancy and simulated birth trauma.

O uso da toxina botulínica na síndrome da bexiga hiperativa / The use of botulinum toxin in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome

Nos últimos anos, a toxina botulínica (BTX) vem surgindo como uma opção para tratamento de algumas disfunções do trato urinário, como, por exemplo, a síndrome da bexiga hiperativa. Ela foi descrita pela primeira vez por Emile Pierre Marie van Ermengem em 1897 e desde então, vem se tornando uma importante arma terapêutica. Dos sete tipos distintos de BTX, somente os tipos A e B estão disponíveis para uso clínico. Seu mecanismo de ação consiste em causar paralisia flácida ao ser injetada no músculo, inibindo a ação da acetilcolina nas junções colinérgicas pré-sinápticas. Seu efeito é transitório e dose-dependente. A bexiga hiperativa é doença comum, que atinge cerca de 17% da população européia e norteamericana. Geralmente, ela é tratada de forma conservadora, principalmente com drogas antimuscarínicas, que são as drogas de escolha. Realizamos revisão da literatura, por meio do PubMed com o objetivo de verificar as indicações desta medicação, sua posologia, técnica de aplicação, efeitos colaterais, complicações e eficácia nas pacientes portadores de bexiga hiperativa neurogênica e idiopática. Foi concluído que a BTX parece ser uma opção de tratamento segura e eficaz para estas pacientes, porém mais estudos precisam ser realizados, principalmente para os portadores de bexiga hiperativa idiopática refratária aos tratamentos convencionais.

In the past few years, botulinum toxin (BTX) is being recognized as an option for the treatment of the urinary tract dysfunctions like overactive bladder syndrome. It was first isolated by Emile Pierre Marie van Ermengem in 1897 and, since then it is becoming an important treatment option. Of the seven distinct types of the toxin, only types A and B are available for clinical use. When injected into the muscle, the toxin acts by inhibiting acetylcholine release at the presynaptic cholinergic neuromuscular junction. Its effect is transient and dose-related. The overactive bladder is a commun disease that affects about 17% of the population in Europe and in the United States. Usually, the treatment is conservative and the mainstay is anticholinergic drugs. It was reviewed the literature using PubMed with the objective of verifying the indications, posology, technique of administration, side effects, complications and efficacy in patients with neurogenic and idiopathic overativity bladder. It was concluded that BTX seems to be a treatment option, which is safe and effective for these patients, but more studies are needed especially on the idiopathic overactive bladder.

Aspectos atuais sobre tratamento do leiomioma uterino pela embolização percutânea das artérias uterinas / Current aspects about fibroid treatment by uterine artery percutanie embolization

Os autores revisaram os principais aspectos do tratamento do mioma uterino através da embolização das artérias uterinas assim como a padronização atual na seleção das pacientes, na técnica e materiais utilizados e no controle da dor após o procedimento. Mostram através de estudos de metanálises e "trials" os resultados clínicos, anatômicos e eventuais complicações e também na manutenção da fertilidade nas pacientes que desejam manter capacidade reprodutiva futura.

Correlação entre os resultados laboratoriais e os sinais e sintomas clínicos das pacientes com candidíase vulvovaginal e relevância dos parceiros sexuais na manutenção da infecção em São Paulo, Brasil / Relationship of laboratory results with clinical signs and symptoms of patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis and the significance of the sexual partners for the maintenance of the infection

OBJETIVO: relacionar as leveduras identificadas aos sinais e sintomas clínicos das pacientes com candidíase vulvovaginal e investigar a importância dos parceiros sexuais na reincidência da infecção. MÉTODOS: foi desenvolvido estudo prospectivo de julho de 2001 a julho de 2003 com uma amostra de mulheres residentes na Grande São Paulo. Foram avaliadas 179 pacientes com suspeita clínica de vaginite fúngica, com idade entre 18 e 65 anos. Os critérios para exclusão foram: gravidez, comprometimento imunológico intrínseco e extrínseco, incluindo AIDS, diabetes, imunossupressão, pacientes em terapia com corticosteróides, antibióticos ou hormônios, em pós-menopausa, em uso de dispositivo intra-uterino e duchas vaginais ou espermicidas. Amostras de secreções vaginais ou da glande dos parceiros sexuais de pacientes com vaginite de repetição foram coletadas para microscopia e cultura de fungos. Colônias fúngicas isoladas em CHROMagar Candida foram identificadas por provas clássicas. O teste exato de Fisher foi usado para correlacionar o quadro clínico com as leveduras isoladas das pacientes. RESULTADOS: os sinais e sintomas clínicos mais relevantes na candidíase vulvovaginal foram prurido e corrimento, seguidos por eritema e edema, estatisticamente independente do agente etiológico. Leveduras foram diagnosticadas por microscopia direta em 77 pacientes com vulvovaginites, sendo obtidos 40 cultivos de Candida spp. Candida albicans (70 por cento), C. glabrata (20 por cento), C. tropicalis (7,5 por cento) e C. guilliermondii (2,5 por cento) foram identificadas. As leveduras prevalentes nos parceiros foram C. albicans e C. glabrata. As mesmas espécies foram detectadas nas companheiras e parceiros em 87 por cento dos casos. CONCLUSÕES: as vulvovaginites fúngicas foram mais freqüentes em mulheres entre 18 e 34 anos de idade. Não foi observada correlação entre as espécies de leveduras detectadas e a sintomatologia clínica. Os parceiros sexuais podem ser...

PURPOSE: to relate yeasts identified by laboratory tests to clinical signs and symptoms in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis, and to investigate the importance of the sexual partners in the recurrence of the infection. METHODS: from July 2001 to July 2003, a sample of 179 patients aged from 18 to 65 years old, with clinical suspicion of fungal vaginitis were analyzed in a prospective study in Great São Paulo. Exclusion criteria included: pregnancy, impaired intrinsic or extrinsic immune response (including Aids), diabetes or immunosuppression; patients undergoing corticosteroid, antibiotic or hormone therapy, in post menopause, with intrauterine device (IUD) or making use of vaginal douches or spemicides. Samples of vaginal and penis secretions from partners of patients with relapse of vaginitis episodes were collected for microscopy and fungal culture. Fungal colonies isolated in CHROMagar Candida were identified by classical methods. Fisher's exact t-test was used to correlate the clinical picture with the yeasts isolated from patients. RESULTS: the most relevant clinical signs and symptoms were pruritus and vaginal discharge followed by erythema and edema, statistically independent from the etiological agent. Direct microscopy revealed yeasts in 77 patients with vulvovaginitis, and 40 Candida spp cultures were obtained. Candida albicans (70 percent), C. glabrata (20 percent), C. tropicalis (7,5 percent) and C. guilliermondii (2,5 percent) were identified. The yeasts prevalent in partners were C. albicans and C. glabrata. The same species were detected in female and male sex partners in 87 percent of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: fungal vulvovaginitis was more frequent in women between 18 and 34 years old. No correlation was observed between the species of yeast detected and clinical symptomatology. Sexual partners are important Candida spp reservoirs and may be related to the maintenance of the vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Alterações músculo-esqueléticas em mulheres com dor pélvica crônica (DPC) / Musculoskeletal disorders in women with chronic pelvi pain (CPP)

Algia pélvica crônica é definida como dor localizada na região inferior do abdômen ou da pelve com duração superior a seis meses. Sua etiologia é multifatorial e as causas ósteo-musculares (principalmente das dores na pelve, quadril, coluna lombar e membros inferiores) devem ser salientadas, pois geralmente são negligenciadas no atendimento. Na literatura são discutidas alterações músculo-esqueléticas observadas em mulheres com queixa de dores pélvidas sem diagnóstico de doenças ginecológicas; nestes casos é possível que estas alterações sejam a causa primária da dor. Entretanto, as alterações músculo-esqueléticas também podem surgir devido a postura antálgica por tempo prolongado, adotada por mulheres com doenças que levam a dor crônica (p.ex., pacientes com endometriose). O papel da fisioterapia é avaliar as condições posturais e músculo-esqueléticas que afetam o equilíbrio pélvico gerando dor nesta região. A fisioterapia, inserida na equipe multiprofissional que atende a mulher com queixa álgica, contribui para esclarecer a causa destes sintomas e atua sinergicamente nas afecções ginecológicas que geram distúrbios ósteo-musculares; isto favorece a diminuição da dor e a melhora na qualidade de vida destas pacientes

Variáveis do parto vaginal e desencadeamento de problemas no assoalho pélvico / Pelvic floor trauma following vaginal delivery and obstetrical surgery

Neste artigo abordamos os traumas que ocorrem no assoalho pélvico durante o parto vaginal, bem como as cirurgias obstétricas empregadas no mesmo momento, para caracterizar suas conseqüências a longo prazo. Selecionamos e discutimos vários estudos, analisando algumas controvérsias. Foram encontrados fatores de risco para lesão perineal durante o trabalho de parto, peso elevado do feto, período prolongado no segundo estágio do parto, episiotomia, uso de fórceps, extração a vácuo, paridade, nível social baixo e raça asiática. Estes fatores levam a afecções como incontinências de urina, fezes e flatus, distopias genitais e lacerações perineais importantes. Assim, o parto vaginal pode acarretar vários problemas para a mulher e, em algumas situações, afetar a qualidade de vida. Portanto, os obstetras deveriam estabelecer critérios rigorosos em relação à intervenção cirúrgica a ser realizada durante o trabalho de parto, e informar as pacientes sobre os riscos a que serão submetidas. Estudos comprovam que a fisioterapia ajuda a reduzir as conseqüências do parto vaginal, quando utiliza exercícios perineais específicos no pré e pós-parto, bem como a massagem perineal no pré-parto

Endometriose de parede abdominal: relato de oito casos / Scar endometriosis: eight cases report

Constitui a endometriose de parede abdominal entidade rara que ocorre, em geral, após cirurgias ginecológicas ou obstétricas. Relatam-se, neste trabalho, oito casos, estudados em um período de cinco anos, na Disciplina de Ginecologia da Escola Paulista de Medicina. Em seis casos, os sintomas apareceram entre dois e 56 meses após a realizaçåo de cesárea; em um cerca de um mês após histerectomia abdominal e, finalmente, no caso restante, nåo havia antecedente cirúrgico que justificasse o achado, sendo a paciente, no entanto, grande multípara