The effects of a large-scale home visiting programme for child development on use of health services in Brazil.

Partnership between early childhood development interventions and primary health care services can help catalyse health care uptake by socially vulnerable families. This study aimed to assess the real-life effects of a large-scale home visiting programme [Primeira Infância Melhor (PIM)] in Brazil on the use of preventive (prenatal visits, well child visits, dentist visits and vaccination) and recovery (emergency room visits and hospitalization) health services. A quasi-experiment nested in a population-based birth cohort study was conducted. The intervention group was firstly defined as all children enrolled in PIM up to age 6 months, and afterwards stratified between those enrolled during pregnancy or after birth up to 6 months. Children receiving PIM were matched with controls on propensity scores based on 27 confounders to estimate effects on health service use from prenatal to age 2 years. Double adjustment was applied in outcome Quasi-Poisson regressions. No evidence was found for effects of PIM starting anytime up to 6 months (262 pairs), or for the children enrolled only after birth (133 pairs), on outcomes occurring after age 6 months. When the programme started during pregnancy (129 pairs), there was a 13% higher prevalence of adequate prenatal visits (prevalence ratio = 1.13; 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.27), but no effect on use of any other health service. Sensitivity analyses suggested longer participation in the programme with reduced visitor turnover might improve its impact on prenatal visits. Integration between PIM and primary health care was not adequate to affect overall patterns of contacts with health services. Nevertheless, prenatal home visits showed potential to increase health service contact during a sensitive period of development, indicating the need to start such programmes before birth, when there is more time for maternal care, and family engagement in a network of services is facilitated.

Towards a better understanding of real-world home-visiting programs: a large-scale effectiveness study of parenting mechanisms in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The scale-up of parenting programmes to support early childhood development (ECD) is poorly understood. Little is known about how and when early interventions are most effective. Sustainability of ECD programming requires a better understanding of the mechanisms of real-world interventions. We examined the effects on caregiving practices of Primeira Infância Melhor (PIM), a state-wide home-visiting programme in Brazil. METHODS: This propensity score matched, longitudinal, quasiexperimental study uses data from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort. We matched children who received PIM at any age with other cohort children on 25 key covariates. Sensitivity, guidance and responsiveness were assessed using video-recorded play tasks. Coerciveness and the parent-child relationship were assessed using the Parenting and Family Adjustment Scales. All parenting outcomes were examined at age 4 years. Separate moderation analyses were conducted for each effect modifier: family income, child age and duration of participation. RESULTS: Out of 4275 children in the cohort, 797 were enrolled in PIM up to age 4 years. 3018 children (70.6%) were included in the analytic sample, of whom 587 received PIM and 2431 were potential controls. We found a positive effect of PIM on responsiveness (ß=0.08, 95% CIs 0.002 to 0.16) and sensitivity (ß=0.10, 95% CIs 0.02 to 0.19). No effect was found for any secondary outcomes. Moderation analyses revealed a stronger positive effect on sensitivity for low-income parents (ß=0.18, 95% CIs 0.03 to 0.34). CONCLUSION: A state-wide, home-visiting programme in Brazil improved aspects of responsive caregiving. Effects were more pronounced for low-income families, suggesting benefits of purposeful targeting.

Maternal mental health and offspring's IQ: Evidence from two Brazilian birth cohorts.

Maternal mental health during different stages of life can have a significant impact on a child's cognitive development. This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal CMD at two distinct stages of the offspring's life (at 3 months and 11 years) and their IQ scores at 6 and 18 years across two birth cohorts. The study utilized data from two Brazilian birth cohorts: the 1993 cohort (full sample: N = 3719, subsample: N = 436), and the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort (N = 3440). IQ assessments were conducted at ages 18 and 6, employing the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, third version (WAIS-III), and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, third version (WISC-III), respectively. The presence of maternal CMD at 3 months and 11 years of age was evaluated using the Brazilian version of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). After adjustment, participants whose mothers experienced CMD at 3 months had average IQ scores 1.74 (95 % CI: -2.83 to -0.67) and 2.79 (95 % CI: -5.54 to -0.04) points lower at ages 6 (2004 cohort) and 18 (1993 cohort subsample), respectively. Furthermore, in the 1993 cohort (both full and subsample), maternal CMD at 11 years was associated with lower IQ scores at age 18. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this association, emphasized by these findings, is crucial for promoting children's cognitive development, educational achievement, and overall well-being.

Average Causal Effect Estimation Via Instrumental Variables: the No Simultaneous Heterogeneity Assumption.

BACKGROUND: Instrumental variables (IVs) can be used to provide evidence as to whether a treatment has a causal effect on an outcome . Even if the instrument satisfies the three core IV assumptions of relevance, independence, and exclusion restriction, further assumptions are required to identify the average causal effect (ACE) of on . Sufficient assumptions for this include homogeneity in the causal effect of on ; homogeneity in the association of with ; and no effect modification. METHODS: We describe the no simultaneous heterogeneity assumption, which requires the heterogeneity in the - causal effect to be mean independent of (i.e., uncorrelated with) both and heterogeneity in the - association. This happens, for example, if there are no common modifiers of the - effect and the - association, and the - effect is additive linear. We illustrate the assumption of no simultaneous heterogeneity using simulations and by re-examining selected published studies. RESULTS: Under no simultaneous heterogeneity, the Wald estimand equals the ACE even if both homogeneity assumptions and no effect modification (which we demonstrate to be special cases of-and therefore stronger than-no simultaneous heterogeneity) are violated. CONCLUSIONS: The assumption of no simultaneous heterogeneity is sufficient for identifying the ACE using IVs. Since this assumption is weaker than existing assumptions for ACE identification, doing so may be more plausible than previously anticipated.

Interaction-based Mendelian randomization with measured and unmeasured gene-by-covariate interactions.

Studies leveraging gene-environment (GxE) interactions within Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses have prompted the emergence of two similar methodologies: MR-GxE and MR-GENIUS. Such methods are attractive in allowing for pleiotropic bias to be corrected when using individual instruments. Specifically, MR-GxE requires an interaction to be explicitly identified, while MR-GENIUS does not. We critically examine the assumptions of MR-GxE and MR-GENIUS in the absence of a pre-defined covariate, and propose sensitivity analyses to evaluate their performance. Finally, we explore the effect of body mass index (BMI) upon systolic blood pressure (SBP) using data from the UK Biobank, finding evidence of a positive effect of BMI on SBP. We find both approaches share similar assumptions, though differences between the approaches lend themselves to differing research settings. Where a suitable gene-by-covariate interaction is observed MR-GxE can produce unbiased causal effect estimates. MR-GENIUS can circumvent the need to identify interactions, but as a consequence relies on either the MR-GxE assumptions holding globally, or additional information with respect to the distribution of pleiotropic effects in the absence of an explicitly defined interaction covariate.

Homogeneity in the Instrument-exposure Association and Point Estimation Using Binary Instrumental Variables.

BACKGROUND: Interpreting instrumental variable results often requires further assumptions in addition to the core assumptions of relevance, independence, and the exclusion restriction. METHODS: We assess whether instrument-exposure additive homogeneity renders the Wald estimand equal to the average derivative effect (ADE) in the case of a binary instrument and a continuous exposure. RESULTS: Instrument-exposure additive homogeneity is insufficient for ADE identification when the instrument is binary, the exposure is continuous, and the effect of the exposure on the outcome is nonlinear on the additive scale. For a binary exposure, the exposure-outcome effect is necessarily additive linear, so the homogeneity condition is sufficient. CONCLUSIONS: For binary instruments, instrument-exposure additive homogeneity identifies the ADE if the exposure is also binary. Otherwise, additional assumptions (such as additive linearity of the exposure-outcome effect) are required.

Effectiveness of a large-scale home visiting programme (PIM) on early child development in Brazil: quasi-experimental study nested in a birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: A large-scale parenting programme with weekly home visits (Primeira Infância Melhor (PIM)) has been implemented in the south of Brazil for nearly two decades, but lacks evaluation of its effects on early childhood development (ECD). This quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the effects of PIM in real-life settings within a population-based birth cohort study. METHODS: Data from the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study and the state programme information system were linked to identify study children who received PIM. Propensity score matching was used to create a comparable control group (using one-to-one matching) to estimate the effect of PIM on ECD measured at age 4 years. First, the impact of any enrolment in PIM was evaluated; then the intervention group was stratified according to whether enrolment occurred during pregnancy or after birth. Double adjustment was applied in linear regression to analyse child development scores, and Poisson regression for delayed development (below the 10th percentile of whole cohort). Effect modification due to family income was explored. RESULTS: There was no evidence that any enrolment in PIM (601 pairs) by age 4 years was associated with child development. However, PIM starting during pregnancy (estimated for 121 pairs) predicted higher development scores (0.27 SD; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.52), and 71% lower prevalence of delayed development (prevalence ratio=0.29; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.69), compared with the control group. There was strong statistical evidence (p=0.003, test of interaction) that the effect of PIM starting in pregnancy was larger than when starting after birth (480 pairs). The effect of PIM starting during pregnancy was found to be restricted to poorer families. CONCLUSIONS: In a real-life setting, PIM was effective only when starting during pregnancy and only for poorer families. A higher-quality programme might be more effective with a broader population.

Prevalence of symptoms of COVID-19 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul: results of a population-based study with 18,000 participants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of reports of symptoms of COVID-19 among individuals with and without antibodies and identify those with greater capability to predict the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: The study uses data collected in phases 5 to 8 of Epicovid-19-RS. The presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated by a rapid test. The occurrence of cough, fever, palpitations, sore throat, difficulty breathing, changes in taste and smell, vomiting, diarrhea, body pain, shaking, and headache since March 2020 was also evaluated. Then, the capability to predict the evaluated symptoms concerning the presence of antibodies was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 18,000 individuals were interviewed and 181 had antibodies against COVID-19 in phases 5 to 8. The proportion of asymptomatic individuals was 19.9% among participants with antibodies and 49.7% among those without antibodies. All symptoms were reported more frequently by individuals with antibodies. The division of the prevalence of symptoms among individuals with antibodies by the prevalence among individuals without antibodies showed the following prevalence ratios: for changes in smell or taste (9.1), fever (4.2), tremors (3.9), breathing difficulty (3.2) and cough (2.8 times). Anosmia and fever were the symptoms with a greater capability to predict the presence of antibodies. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of symptoms was higher among individuals with antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The proportion of asymptomatic individuals was low. Altered smell or taste and fever were the symptoms that most predict the presence of antibodies. These results can help to identify probable cases, contributing to the clinical diagnosis and screening of patients for testing and isolation guidance in positive cases, especially in scenarios of the scarcity of diagnostic COVID-19 tests.

Association between cesarean section and human capital in adulthood: 1982 and 1993 Pelotas birth cohorts, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.

This study aims to assess the association between mode of delivery and human capital among young adults enrolled in the 1982 and 1993 Pelotas birth cohorts, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brasil. In 1982 and 1993, the maternity hospitals of the municipality were daily visited, the births identified, and those live births, whose family lived in the urban area of Pelotas, were examined and their mothers interviewed. Information on mode of delivery, vaginal or cesarean, was provided by the mother in the perinatal study. Performance in intelligence tests achieved schooling and income were evaluated in the 30 years visit at the 1982 cohort. At the 1993 cohort, schooling and income were assessed at the 22 years visit, whereas IQ was evaluated at 18 years. Tobacco smoking in adulthood and type of school was used as negative outcomes to strength causal inference. Initially, cesarean section was positively associated with human capital at adulthood, with the exception of income in the 1993 cohort. After controlling for confounders, the magnitude of the associations was strongly reduced, and the regression coefficients were close to the null value. The negative outcome analysis showed that, after controlling for confounding variables, the mode of delivery was not associated with tobacco smoking and type of school. Suggesting that the variables included in the regression model to control for confounding, provided an adequate adjustment and it is unlikely that the results are due to residual confounding by socioeconomic status. On the other hand, considering the short- and long-term risks and the epidemic of cesarean sections, measures should be implemented to reduce its prevalence.

Influenza vaccination in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study in 133 Brazilian cities. / Vacinação para influenza em idosos na pandemia COVID-19: estudo de base populacional em 133 cidades brasileiras.

Routine immunization during pandemics can be harmed. This study estimated the influenza vaccination coverage in older adults during the COVID-19 through the EPICOVID-19, a population-based study conducted in 133 cities from the 26 Brazilian states and Federal District. We selected 25 census tracts per city, with probability proportional to the tract's size, ten households by census tract, and one random individual interviewed. A total of 8,265 older adults (≥60 years old) were interviewed and asked whether they had been vaccinated against flu in 2020. Vaccination coverage was 82.3% (95% CI: 80.1-84.2) with no difference by gender, age, and region; higher vaccination coverage was observed among the wealthiest (84.7% versus 80.1% in the poorest) and among the more educated (87.3% versus 83.2% less educated); lower coverage among indigenous (56.9% versus > 80% among other ethnic groups). A positive association was identified with the number of comorbidities among men but not among women. Most of the population was vaccinated (97.5%) in the public health system. The private network was chosen mainly in the South by the wealthiest and more educated. Vaccination coverage was seven percentage points lower than the government target (90%), and inequalities should be reversed in future campaigns.

Imunizações de rotina durante pandemias podem ser prejudicadas. Este estudo estimou a cobertura vacinal para influenza em idosos durante a COVID-19 através do EPICOVID-19, inquérito populacional realizado em 133 cidades sentinelas dos 26 estados brasileiros e Distrito Federal. Selecionou-se 25 setores censitários por cidade, amostragem proporcional ao tamanho, dez domicílios por setor e uma pessoa por domicílio, aleatoriamente. O quantitativo de 8.265 idosos (≥ 60 anos) foram entrevistados e responderam se haviam sido vacinados contra gripe em 2020. A cobertura foi 82,3% (IC95% 80,1; 84,2), sem diferenças por sexo, idade ou região. Maiores coberturas ocorreram nos mais ricos (84,7% versus 80,1% nos mais pobres) e nos mais escolarizados (87,3% versus 83,2% nos menos escolarizados). Menor cobertura nos indígenas (56,9% versus coberturas superiores a 80% nos demais grupos étnicos). Houve associação positiva com número de comorbidades entre homens, mas não entre mulheres. A maioria vacinou-se na rede pública (97,5%), sendo a rede privada mais utilizada na região Sul, pelos mais escolarizados e mais ricos. Conclui-se que a cobertura vacinal ficou sete pontos percentuais abaixo da meta governamental (90%), e que desigualdades devem ser revertidas em futuras campanhas.

Vacinação para influenza em idosos na pandemia COVID-19: estudo de base populacional em 133 cidades brasileiras / Influenza vaccination in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study in 133 Brazilian cities

Resumo Imunizações de rotina durante pandemias podem ser prejudicadas. Este estudo estimou a cobertura vacinal para influenza em idosos durante a COVID-19 através do EPICOVID-19, inquérito populacional realizado em 133 cidades sentinelas dos 26 estados brasileiros e Distrito Federal. Selecionou-se 25 setores censitários por cidade, amostragem proporcional ao tamanho, dez domicílios por setor e uma pessoa por domicílio, aleatoriamente. O quantitativo de 8.265 idosos (≥ 60 anos) foram entrevistados e responderam se haviam sido vacinados contra gripe em 2020. A cobertura foi 82,3% (IC95% 80,1; 84,2), sem diferenças por sexo, idade ou região. Maiores coberturas ocorreram nos mais ricos (84,7% versus 80,1% nos mais pobres) e nos mais escolarizados (87,3% versus 83,2% nos menos escolarizados). Menor cobertura nos indígenas (56,9% versus coberturas superiores a 80% nos demais grupos étnicos). Houve associação positiva com número de comorbidades entre homens, mas não entre mulheres. A maioria vacinou-se na rede pública (97,5%), sendo a rede privada mais utilizada na região Sul, pelos mais escolarizados e mais ricos. Conclui-se que a cobertura vacinal ficou sete pontos percentuais abaixo da meta governamental (90%), e que desigualdades devem ser revertidas em futuras campanhas.

Abstract Routine immunization during pandemics can be harmed. This study estimated the influenza vaccination coverage in older adults during the COVID-19 through the EPICOVID-19, a population-based study conducted in 133 cities from the 26 Brazilian states and Federal District. We selected 25 census tracts per city, with probability proportional to the tract's size, ten households by census tract, and one random individual interviewed. A total of 8,265 older adults (≥60 years old) were interviewed and asked whether they had been vaccinated against flu in 2020. Vaccination coverage was 82.3% (95% CI: 80.1-84.2) with no difference by gender, age, and region; higher vaccination coverage was observed among the wealthiest (84.7% versus 80.1% in the poorest) and among the more educated (87.3% versus 83.2% less educated); lower coverage among indigenous (56.9% versus > 80% among other ethnic groups). A positive association was identified with the number of comorbidities among men but not among women. Most of the population was vaccinated (97.5%) in the public health system. The private network was chosen mainly in the South by the wealthiest and more educated. Vaccination coverage was seven percentage points lower than the government target (90%), and inequalities should be reversed in future campaigns.

Chronic non-communicable diseases and COVID-19: EPICOVID-19 Brazil results.

OBJECTIVE: Describing the prevalence of chronic diseases and associated socioeconomic and demographic factors, evaluating the patterns of social distancing and the antibodies prevalence against SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 symptoms in carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases. METHODS: Data from 77,075 individuals aged 20 to 59 from three steps of the EPICOVID-19 Brazil (a nationwide serological survey conducted between May and June, 2021) were assessed. The presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was examined by rapid tests. Self-reported prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, cancer, chronic kidney disease and heart disease were investigated. The prevalence of mask use, adherence to isolation measures and antibodies were evaluated separately amid carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases. The prevalence of symptoms was analyzed among carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases with antibodies. RESULTS: The prevalence of at least one chronic disease was 43%, higher in the Southeast region, among white and indigenous individuals, women, less schooled and in lower socioeconomic position. The use of masks when leaving home was similar among carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases (98%). The proportion of participants who reported adherence to isolation measures was higher amid carriers (15.9%) than non-carriers (24.9%) of chronic diseases. The prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was similar amongst carriers and non-carriers (2.4% and 2.3%). The prevalence of cough, dyspnea, palpitations and myalgia was significantly higher among carriers, but the proportion of symptomatic patients was similar between groups. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic diseases in Brazil is high and the COVID-19 pandemic affects carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases similarly. Carriers present more severe forms of COVID-19 and higher prevalence of symptoms. Greater adherence to social distancing measures among chronic patients is disassociated from a lower incidence of COVID-19 in this group.

Bias in two-sample Mendelian randomization when using heritable covariable-adjusted summary associations.

BACKGROUND: Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) allows the use of freely accessible summary association results from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to estimate causal effects of modifiable exposures on outcomes. Some GWAS adjust for heritable covariables in an attempt to estimate direct effects of genetic variants on the trait of interest. One, both or neither of the exposure GWAS and outcome GWAS may have been adjusted for covariables. METHODS: We performed a simulation study comprising different scenarios that could motivate covariable adjustment in a GWAS and analysed real data to assess the influence of using covariable-adjusted summary association results in two-sample MR. RESULTS: In the absence of residual confounding between exposure and covariable, between exposure and outcome, and between covariable and outcome, using covariable-adjusted summary associations for two-sample MR eliminated bias due to horizontal pleiotropy. However, covariable adjustment led to bias in the presence of residual confounding (especially between the covariable and the outcome), even in the absence of horizontal pleiotropy (when the genetic variants would be valid instruments without covariable adjustment). In an analysis using real data from the Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits (GIANT) consortium and UK Biobank, the causal effect estimate of waist circumference on blood pressure changed direction upon adjustment of waist circumference for body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that using covariable-adjusted summary associations in MR should generally be avoided. When that is not possible, careful consideration of the causal relationships underlying the data (including potentially unmeasured confounders) is required to direct sensitivity analyses and interpret results with appropriate caution.

Influence of maternal pre-pregnancy nutritional status on offspring anthropometric measurements and body composition in three Brazilian Birth Cohorts.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at evaluating the association of maternal pre-pregnancy nutritional status with offspring anthropometry and body composition. We also evaluated whether these associations were modified by gender, diet and physical activity and mediated by birth weight. DESIGN: Birth cohort study. SETTING: Waist circumference was measured with an inextensible tape, and fat and lean mass were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Multiple linear regression was used to adjust for possible confounders and allele score of BMI. We carried out mediation analysis using G-formula. PARTICIPANTS: In 1982, 1993 and 2004, all maternity hospitals in Pelotas (South Brazil) were visited daily and all live births whose families lived in the urban area of the city were evaluated. These subjects have been followed up at different ages. RESULTS: Offspring of obese mothers had on average higher BMI, waist circumference and fat mass index than those of normal weight mothers, and these differences were higher among daughters. The magnitudes of the association were similar in the cohorts, except for height, where the association pattern was not clear. In the 1982 cohort, further adjustment for a BMI allele score had no material influence on the magnitude of the associations. Mediation analyses showed that birth weight captured part of this association. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that maternal pre-pregnancy nutritional status is positively associated with offspring BMI and adiposity in offspring. And this association is higher among daughters whose mother was overweight or obese and, birth weight explains part of this association.

Prevalence of symptoms of COVID-19 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul: results of a population-based study with 18,000 participants / Prevalência de sintomas característicos de covid-19 no Rio Grande do Sul: resultados de um estudo de base populacional com 18 mil participantes

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of reports of symptoms of COVID-19 among individuals with and without antibodies and identify those with greater capability to predict the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. METHODS The study uses data collected in phases 5 to 8 of Epicovid-19-RS. The presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated by a rapid test. The occurrence of cough, fever, palpitations, sore throat, difficulty breathing, changes in taste and smell, vomiting, diarrhea, body pain, shaking, and headache since March 2020 was also evaluated. Then, the capability to predict the evaluated symptoms concerning the presence of antibodies was calculated. RESULTS A total of 18,000 individuals were interviewed and 181 had antibodies against COVID-19 in phases 5 to 8. The proportion of asymptomatic individuals was 19.9% among participants with antibodies and 49.7% among those without antibodies. All symptoms were reported more frequently by individuals with antibodies. The division of the prevalence of symptoms among individuals with antibodies by the prevalence among individuals without antibodies showed the following prevalence ratios: for changes in smell or taste (9.1), fever (4.2), tremors (3.9), breathing difficulty (3.2) and cough (2.8 times). Anosmia and fever were the symptoms with a greater capability to predict the presence of antibodies. CONCLUSION The prevalence of symptoms was higher among individuals with antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The proportion of asymptomatic individuals was low. Altered smell or taste and fever were the symptoms that most predict the presence of antibodies. These results can help to identify probable cases, contributing to the clinical diagnosis and screening of patients for testing and isolation guidance in positive cases, especially in scenarios of the scarcity of diagnostic COVID-19 tests.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Avaliar prevalência de relato de sintomas característicos de covid-19 entre indivíduos com e sem anticorpos e identificar aqueles com maior capacidade de predição da presença de anticorpos contra o SARS-CoV-2. MÉTODOS O presente estudo usa dados coletados nas fases de 5 a 8 do Epicovid-19-RS. A presença de anticorpos contra o SARS-CoV-2 foi avaliada por um teste rápido. Avaliou-se também a ocorrência dos sintomas tosse, febre, palpitações, dor de garganta, dificuldade para respirar, alterações no paladar e olfato, vômito, diarreia, dor no corpo, tremedeira e dor de cabeça, desde março de 2020. Então, calculou-se a capacidade de predição dos sintomas avaliados em relação a presença de anticorpos. RESULTADOS Nas fases de 5 a 8, 18 mil indivíduos foram entrevistados e 181 apresentaram anticorpos contra covid-19. A proporção de indivíduos assintomáticos foi de 19,9% entre participantes com anticorpos e 49,7% entre aqueles sem anticorpos. Todos os sintomas foram relatados com maior frequência por indivíduos com presença de anticorpos. A divisão da prevalência de sintomas entre indivíduos com anticorpos pela prevalência entre indivíduos sem anticorpos evidenciou as seguintes razões de prevalência: para alterações de olfato ou paladar (9,1), febre (4,2), tremedeira (3,9), dificuldade respiratória (3,2) e tosse (2,8 vezes). Anosmia e febre foram os sintomas com maior capacidade de predizer a presença de anticorpos. CONCLUSÃO A prevalência de sintomas foi maior entre indivíduos com anticorpos contra SARS-CoV-2. A proporção de indivíduos assintomáticos foi baixa. Alteração de olfato ou paladar e febre foram os sintomas que mais predizem a presença de anticorpos. Esses resultados podem auxiliar a identificação de casos prováveis, contribuindo para o diagnóstico clínico e triagem de pacientes para testagem e orientação de isolamento em casos positivos, especialmente em cenários de escassez de testes diagnósticos de covid-19.

Association between cesarean section and human capital in adulthood: 1982 and 1993 Pelotas birth cohorts, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil / Associação entre cesariana e capital humano na idade adulta: as coortes de nascimentos de Pelotas, 1982 e 1993, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Asociación entre cesárea y capital humano en la etapa adulta: cohortes de nacimiento de 1982 y 1993 en Pelotas, Río Grande do Sul, Brasil

Abstract: This study aims to assess the association between mode of delivery and human capital among young adults enrolled in the 1982 and 1993 Pelotas birth cohorts, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brasil. In 1982 and 1993, the maternity hospitals of the municipality were daily visited, the births identified, and those live births, whose family lived in the urban area of Pelotas, were examined and their mothers interviewed. Information on mode of delivery, vaginal or cesarean, was provided by the mother in the perinatal study. Performance in intelligence tests achieved schooling and income were evaluated in the 30 years visit at the 1982 cohort. At the 1993 cohort, schooling and income were assessed at the 22 years visit, whereas IQ was evaluated at 18 years. Tobacco smoking in adulthood and type of school was used as negative outcomes to strength causal inference. Initially, cesarean section was positively associated with human capital at adulthood, with the exception of income in the 1993 cohort. After controlling for confounders, the magnitude of the associations was strongly reduced, and the regression coefficients were close to the null value. The negative outcome analysis showed that, after controlling for confounding variables, the mode of delivery was not associated with tobacco smoking and type of school. Suggesting that the variables included in the regression model to control for confounding, provided an adequate adjustment and it is unlikely that the results are due to residual confounding by socioeconomic status. On the other hand, considering the short- and long-term risks and the epidemic of cesarean sections, measures should be implemented to reduce its prevalence.

Resumo: O estudo buscou avaliar a associação entre modo de parto e capital humano entre adultas jovens nas coortes de nascimentos de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, de 1982 e 1993. Em 1982 e 1993, as maternidades de Pelotas foram visitadas diariamente, os nascimentos foram identificados e os nascidos vivos cujas famílias residiam na área urbana foram examinados e suas mães foram entrevistadas. As informações sobre modo de parto (vaginal versus cesáreo) foram coletadas durante a entrevista perinatal. O desempenho em testes de inteligência, nível de escolaridade e renda foram avaliados na visita de 30 anos da coorte de 1982. Para a coorte de 1993, escolaridade e renda foram avaliadas na visita de 22 anos, enquanto o QI foi avaliado aos 18 anos. Tabagismo na vida adulta e tipo de escola foram usados como desfechos negativos para fortalecer a inferência causal. Inicialmente, parto cesáreo mostrou associação positiva com capital humano na vida adulta, com exceção de renda na coorte de 1993. Depois de controlar para fatores de confusão, o tamanho das associações foi reduzido fortemente, e os coeficientes de regressão chegaram perto de valor nulo. A análise de desfechos negativos mostrou que depois de controlar para variáveis de confusão, o modo de parto não esteve associado ao tabagismo ou ao tipo de escola. Os resultados sugerem que as variáveis incluídas no model de regressão para controlar os fatores de confusão resultaram em ajuste adequado, e é improvável que os resultados atuais sejam devidos à confusão por posição socioeconômica. Por outro lado, devido aos riscos no curto e longo prazo e à epidemia de cesarianas, são necessárias medidas para reduzir a prevalência de partos cesáreos.

Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la asociación entre la forma de parto y el capital humano entre adultos jóvenes, que se encontraban en las cohortes de nacimiento de 1982 y 1993, en Pelotas, Río Grande do Sul, Brasil. En 1982 y 1993, se visitaron diariamente los hospitales de maternidad de la ciudad, se identificaron los nacimientos, se examinaron aquellos nacimientos vivos, cuya familia vivía en el área urbana de la ciudad, al igual que se realizaron entrevistas a sus madres. La información sobre la forma de parto (vaginal o cesárea) fue proporcionada por la madre en el estudio perinatal. Se evaluó tanto el rendimiento escolar alcanzado en tests de inteligencia, como los ingresos, transcurridos 30 años de la primera visita en la cohorte de 1982. En la cohorte de 1993, la escolaridad y los ingresos fueron evaluados tras la visita de hacía 22 años, mientras que el CI se evaluó a los 18 años. Fumar tabaco en la etapa adulta y el tipo de financiación de la escuela fueron usados como resultados negativos para la fortaleza de la inferencia causal. Inicialmente, la cesárea estuvo positivamente asociada con el capital humano en la etapa adulta, con la excepción de los ingresos en la cohorte de 1993. Tras controlar los factores de confusión, la magnitud de las asociaciones se vio fuertemente reducida, y los coeficientes de regresión eran cercanos al valor nulo. El análisis de resultado negativo mostró que, tras controlar las variables de confusión, el modo de parto no estuvo asociado con fumar tabaco y el tipo de financiación de la escuela. Sugiriendo que las variables incluidas en el modelo de regresión para el control de los factores de confusión, proporcionaron un ajuste adecuado, y es poco probable que los resultados actuales se deban a factores de confusión residuales por el estatus socioeconómico. Por otro lado, debido a los riesgos a corto y largo plazo y la epidemia de cesáreas, se deben implementar medidas para reducir la prevalencia de las cesáreas.

Chronic non-communicable diseases and Covid-19: Epicovid-19 Brazil results / Doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e covid-19: resultados do estudo Epicovid-19 Brasil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Describing the prevalence of chronic diseases and associated socioeconomic and demographic factors, evaluating the patterns of social distancing and the antibodies prevalence against SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 symptoms in carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases. METHODS Data from 77,075 individuals aged 20 to 59 from three steps of the EPICOVID-19 Brazil (a nationwide serological survey conducted between May and June, 2021) were assessed. The presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was examined by rapid tests. Self-reported prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, cancer, chronic kidney disease and heart disease were investigated. The prevalence of mask use, adherence to isolation measures and antibodies were evaluated separately amid carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases. The prevalence of symptoms was analyzed among carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases with antibodies. RESULTS The prevalence of at least one chronic disease was 43%, higher in the Southeast region, among white and indigenous individuals, women, less schooled and in lower socioeconomic position. The use of masks when leaving home was similar among carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases (98%). The proportion of participants who reported adherence to isolation measures was higher amid carriers (15.9%) than non-carriers (24.9%) of chronic diseases. The prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was similar amongst carriers and non-carriers (2.4% and 2.3%). The prevalence of cough, dyspnea, palpitations and myalgia was significantly higher among carriers, but the proportion of symptomatic patients was similar between groups. CONCLUSION The prevalence of chronic diseases in Brazil is high and the COVID-19 pandemic affects carriers and non-carriers of chronic diseases similarly. Carriers present more severe forms of COVID-19 and higher prevalence of symptoms. Greater adherence to social distancing measures among chronic patients is disassociated from a lower incidence of COVID-19 in this group.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Descrever a prevalência de doenças crônicas e fatores socioeconômicos e demográficos associados, avaliar os padrões de distanciamento social e a prevalência de anticorpos contra SARS-CoV-2 e sintomas de covid-19 em portadores e não portadores de doenças crônicas. MÉTODOS Foram avaliados dados de 77.075 mil indivíduos de 20 a 59 anos de três etapas do inquérito sorológico de abrangência nacional Epicovid-19 Brasil, realizadas entre maio e junho de 2021. A presença de anticorpos contra SARS-CoV-2 foi avaliada por teste rápido. Foram investigadas as prevalências autorreferidas de hipertensão, diabetes, asma, câncer, doença renal crônica e doença cardíaca. A prevalência de uso de máscara, de adesão a medidas de isolamento e de anticorpos foi avaliada separadamente entre portadores e não portadores de doenças crônicas. A prevalência de sintomas foi avaliada entre doentes crônicos e não doentes portadores de anticorpos. RESULTADOS A prevalência do pelo menos uma doença crônica foi de 43%, maior na região Sudeste, entre indivíduos brancos e indígenas, mulheres, menos escolarizados e em menor posição socioeconômica. O uso de máscara ao sair do domicílio não diferiu entre doentes crônicos e não doentes (98%). A proporção de participantes que referiram adesão ao isolamento foi maior entre doentes crônicos (15,9%) que entre não doentes (24,9%). A prevalência de anticorpos contra SARS-CoV-2 foi semelhante entre doentes crônicos e não doentes (2,4% e 2,3%). A prevalência de tosse, dispneia, palpitações e mialgia foi significativamente maior entre doentes crônicos, mas a proporção de sintomáticos não diferiu entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO A prevalência de doenças crônicas no país é alta e a pandemia de covid-19 atinge de forma semelhante doentes e não doentes. Doentes crônicos apresentam formas mais graves de covid-19 e maior prevalência de sintomas. A maior adesão às medidas de distanciamento social entre doentes crônicos não se reflete em menor incidência de covid-19 nesse grupo.

Association between Breastfeeding and DNA Methylation over the Life Course: Findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is associated with short and long-term health benefits. Long-term effects might be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, yet the literature on this topic is scarce. We performed the first epigenome-wide association study of infant feeding, comparing breastfed vs non-breastfed children. We measured DNA methylation in children from peripheral blood collected in childhood (age 7 years, N = 640) and adolescence (age 15-17 years, N = 709) within the Accessible Resource for Integrated Epigenomic Studies (ARIES) project, part of the larger Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort. Cord blood methylation (N = 702) was used as a negative control for potential pre-natal residual confounding. RESULTS: Two differentially-methylated sites presented directionally-consistent associations with breastfeeding at ages 7 and 15-17 years, but not at birth. Twelve differentially-methylated regions in relation to breastfeeding were identified, and for three of them there was evidence of directional concordance between ages 7 and 15-17 years, but not between birth and age 7 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that DNA methylation in childhood and adolescence may be predicted by breastfeeding, but further studies with sufficiently large samples for replication are required to identify robust associations.

EPICOVID19 protocol: repeated serological surveys on SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Brazil.

The first case of COVID-19 was reported in China in December 2019, and, as the virus has spread worldwide, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. Estimates on the number of COVID-19 cases do not reflect it real magnitude as testing is limited. Population based data on the proportion of the population with antibodies is relevant for planning public health policies. We aim to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, presence of signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and adherence to isolation measures. A random sample comprising 133 sentinel cities from all states of the country will be selected. Three serological surveys, three weeks apart, will be conducted. The most populous municipality in each intermediate region of the country, defined by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, was chosen as sentinel city. In each city, 25 census tracts will be selected, and 10 households will be systematically sampled in each tract, totaling 33,250 participants. In each household, one inhabitant will be randomly selected to be interviewed and tested for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, using WONDFO SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test. By evaluating a representative sample of Brazilian sentinel sites, this study will provide essential information for the design of health policies.

Mental disorders, comorbidities, and suicidality at 30 years of age in a Brazilian birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: Studies on mental disorders prevalence and comorbidity, including suicidality, are scarce in low and middle-income settings. We aimed to describe the pattern of comorbidity between mental disorders and their association with suicidality. METHODS: In 1982, all hospital deliveries in Pelotas (Southern Brazil) were identified (n = 5914) and have been prospectively followed. Participants were evaluated for the presence of common mental disorders (CMD) at the ages of 18-19, 23 and 30 years. In 2012-13 (30 years of age), trained psychologists evaluated 3657 individuals for disorders using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. RESULTS: Prevalence of suicidal wishing, suicidal planning and lifetime suicidal attempt was 4.9%, 3.8% and 6.6%, respectively. Suicidal wishing was most strongly associated with having joint major depressive episode (MD) and lifetime suicidal attempt (OR = 26.4, 95%CI:13.9-50.4) with comorbid MD with mania/hypomania (OR = 21.2, 95%CI:6.93-65.1). Suicidal planning was most strongly associated with having joint MD and lifetime suicidal attempt (OR = 44.7, 95%CI:22.6-88.4), with comorbid MD and social anxiety disorder (OR = 30.6, 95%CI:13.0-72.0), and joint social anxiety disorder with lifetime suicidal attempt (OR = 26.3, 95%CI:8.33-82.7). Independently of other disorders, prospective and cross-sectional measures of CMD were associated with higher rates of suicidality. LIMITATIONS: We do not have data on suicide deaths in follow-up and the diagnostic instrument used at 30 years of age was not used in all previous follow-up. CONCLUSION: MD and social anxiety have independent and combined associations with suicidality, and also with they occur with lifetime suicidal attempt and other mental disorders.