Generation of percentile curves for strength and functional abilities for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Considering the heterogeneity of the clinical manifestations of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), it is important to describe their various clinical profiles. Thus, in this study we aimed to develop percentile curves for DMD using a battery of measures to define the patterns of functional abilities, timed tests, muscle strength, and range of motion (ROM). METHODS: This retrospective data analysis was based on the records of patients with DMD using the Motor Function Measure (MFM) scale, isometric muscle strength (IS), dorsiflexion ROM, 10-meter walk test (10 MWT), and 6-minute walk test (6 MWT). Percentile curves (25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles) with MFM, IS, ROM, 10 MWT, and 6 MWT on the y axis and patient age on the x axis were constructed using the generalized additive model for location, scale, and shape, with Box-Cox power exponential distribution. RESULTS: There were records of 329 assessments of patients between 4 and 18 years of age. The MFM percentiles showed a gradual reduction in all dimensions. Muscle strength and ROM percentiles showed that the knee extensors were the most affected from 4 years of age, and dorsiflexion ROM negative values were noted from the age of 8 years. The 10 MWT showed a gradual increase in performance time with age. For the 6 MWT, the distance curve remained stable until 8 years, with a subsequent progressive decline. DISCUSSION: In this study we generated percentile curves that can help health professionals and caregivers follow the trajectory of disease progression in DMD patients.

Anatomic and neuropsychological findings in low-educated cognitively intact elderly from a Brazilian cohort / Achados Anatômicos e Neuropsicológicos de Idosos Cognitivamente Saudáveis com Baixa Escolaridade em uma Coorte Brasileira

ABSTRACT In elderly individuals, low educational level may represent a risk factor for the development of dementia and a proxy of cognitive reserve. Objective: This study examined the cognitive and neuroanatomic correlates of high versus low educational levels in cognitively healthy community-dwelling older adults in Brazil. Methods: Fifty-three older adults (mean age: 68±5.3 years) were divided into a "low education" group [LE; 1-4 years of education (N=33)] and "high education" group [HE; >11 years of education (N=20)]. Both groups completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and underwent in vivo structural MRI close to the time of testing. Results: Higher educational level increased the chance of having better scores on neuropsychological tests, including verbal and visual delayed recall of information, verbal learning, category fluency, global cognition, and vocabulary. Better scores on these tests were observed in the HE group relative to the LE group. Despite this, there were no group differences between MRI measures. Conclusion: Older adults with higher educational levels showed better scores on neuropsychological measures of cognition, highlighting the need for education-adjusted norms in developing countries. Given the absence of differences in structural anatomy between the groups, these findings appear to be best explained by theories of cognitive reserve.

RESUMO Sabe-se que baixos níveis de educação são comuns em países em desenvolvimento. Em indivíduos idosos, em particular, baixos níveis de educação podem representar um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de demência. Objetivo: Este estudo examina os correlatos cognitivos e neuroanatômicos de escolaridade alta versus baixa, em idosos cognitivamente saudáveis,vivendo em comunidade no Brasil. Métodos: Cinquenta e três idosos (média de idade: 68±5,3) foram divididos em um grupo de "baixa escolaridade" [LE; 1-4 anos de escolaridade (N=33)] e um grupo de "alta escolaridade" [HE; >11 anos de escolaridade (N=20)]. Ambos os grupos completaram uma bateria neuropsicológica abrangente e foram submetidos à RM estrutural in vivo próximo à testagem. Resultados: O nível educacional aumentou a chance de se obter melhores pontuações em testes neuropsicológicos, incluindo evocação verbal e visual da informação, aprendizagem verbal, fluência de categoria, cognição global e vocabulário. Escores mais altos foram encontrados no grupo HE, em detrimento do LE. Apesar disso, não houve diferenças entre os grupos nas medidas de ressonância magnética in vivo. Conclusão: Idosos com maiores níveis de escolaridade apresentaram melhores pontuações nas medidas neuropsicológicas da cognição, destacando a necessidade de normas ajustadas à educação nos países em desenvolvimento. Não havendo diferenças na anatomia estrutural entre os grupos, os achados parecem ser melhor explicados pelas teorias da "reserva cognitiva".

Um despertar para a necessidade de aprimoramento dos profissionais da Atenção Básica à Saúde no diagnóstico de lesões orais / Awareness for need of improvement in knowledgement about oral lesions for professionals in primary health care

Objetivo: O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a eficácia do diagnóstico e tratamento de lesões orais entre diferentes níveis de saúde. Material e Métodos: Todas as informações foram obtidas dos prontuários médicos de um Hospital Universitário e de fichas do Sistema Público de Regulação, considerando as características clínico-demográficas tal como, doenças orais diagnosticadas, sistema de referência e terapia empregada. A avaliação foi baseada na relação entre diagnóstico final, hipótese diagnóstica e prioridade para agendamento da consulta, também foi considerado o tempo decorrido entre o encaminhamento e o primeiro atendimento, data do diagnóstico final e início da terapia. Depois, a hipótese diagnóstica preenchida por profissionais de saúde do nível primário e terciário foram comparadas e a concordância entre ambos foi determinada. Resultados: Cerca de 51% dos encaminhamentos preenchidos pelos profissionais da atenção primária estavam incompletos, ou a hipótese diagnóstica estava descrita de forma inadequada. No nível terciário, o tempo médio entre o encaminhamento e a primeira consulta foi de 23 dias, a média entre o diagnóstico final e o início do tratamento foi de 22 dias. O tratamento cirúrgico foi o mais rápido (31 dias) quando comparado a radioterapia para lesões malignas (81 a 100 dias). Conclusão: É necessário melhorar o treinamento de profissionais de saúde da Atenção Básica no reconhecimento de lesões orais malignas. Claramente, o preenchimento adequado das hipóteses de diagnóstico, com o grau de prioridade correspondente acelera o diagnóstico e tratamento do paciente.

Objective: this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of diagnosis and treatment of oral lesions between different healthcare levels. Material and Methods: all information was obtained from the medical records of a University Hospital and Public Health Regulation System regarding clinical-demographic features such as oral diseases diagnosed, referral system and therapy employed. Evaluation was based on the relationship between final diagnosis, diagnostic hypothesis and the priority of medical appointments, time between referral and first appointment, date of final diagnosis and therapy onset. Latter, diagnostic hypothesis fulfilled between primary and tertiary healthcare providers were compared and the agreement between both were determined. Results: about half (51%) of the medical forms filled by primary healthcare professionals were incomplete, or diagnostic hypothesis was inadequately described. At the tertiary healthcare level, mean time between referral and first appointment was 23 days, and mean time between the final diagnosis and treatment was 22 days. Surgical treatment was faster (31 days) when compared to radiotherapy for malignant lesions (81 to 100 days). Conclusion: it is necessary to improve training of healthcare professionals in the primary healthcare regarding the recognition of malignant oral lesions. Clearly, appropriate filling of the diagnostic hypothesis with the corresponding degree of priority accelerates the diagnosis and treatment of the patient.

Spatial distribution of pregnancy in adolescence and associations with socioeconomic and social responsibility indicators: State of Minas Gerais, Southeast of Brazil.

PURPOSE: To describe associations between pregnancy rates in adolescence and socioeconomic and social responsibility indicators in the municipalities of the State of Minas Gerais, Southeast of Brazil, in the year of 2010. METHODS: Ecological study using data from the Brazilian Live Birth Information System (SINASC). The percentage of live births to adolescent mothers (LBAM) for each municipality was calculated based on the quotient between number of born alive infants of mothers aged 10-19 years old and total number of live births in the year of 2010. Fully Bayesian models were used to obtain the percentages of LBAM adjusted for spatial effects and to assess possible associations with socioeconomic and social responsibility indicators. RESULTS: The crude percentage of LBAM for the total number of live births in the municipalities of Minas Gerais in 2010 ranged from 0 to 46.4%, with median percentage being 19.6% and the first and third quartiles being 15.6 and 23.1%, respectively. This study has demonstrated a close relationship between adolescent pregnancy and socioeconomic indicators. LBAM percentages were found to be higher in municipalities with low population density, low human development index and other low development indicators. CONCLUSION: The strong relationship between LBAM percentages and socioeconomic indicators suggests that adolescent pregnancy is more a social than a biological problem. Therefore, programs and actions should go beyond sexual education and information on preventive health methods.

Spatial distribution of pregnancy in adolescence and associations with socioeconomic and social responsibility indicators: State of Minas Gerais, Southeast of Brazil / Distribuição espacial da gravidez adolescente e associações com indicadores socioeconômicos e de responsabilidade social: estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil

To describe associations between pregnancy rates in adolescence and socioeconomic and social responsibility indicators in the municipalities of the State of Minas Gerais, Southeast of Brazil, in the year of 2010.

Descrever as associações entre os percentuais de gravidez na adolescência e indicadores socioeconômicos e de responsabilidade social dos municípios do estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil, no ano de 2010.

Spatio-temporal patterns of tuberculosis incidence in Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, southeast Brazil, and their relationship with social vulnerability: a Bayesian analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this ecological study was to evaluate the urban spatial and temporal distribution of tuberculosis (TB) in Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, southeast Brazil, between 2006 and 2009 and to evaluate its relationship with factors of social vulnerability such as income and education level. METHODS: We evaluated data from TBWeb, an electronic notification system for TB cases. Measures of social vulnerability were obtained from the SEADE Foundation, and information about the number of inhabitants, education and income of the households were obtained from Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Statistical analyses were conducted by a Bayesian regression model assuming a Poisson distribution for the observed new cases of TB in each area. A conditional autoregressive structure was used for the spatial covariance structure. RESULTS: The Bayesian model confirmed the spatial heterogeneity of TB distribution in Ribeirão Preto, identifying areas with elevated risk and the effects of social vulnerability on the disease. We demonstrated that the rate of TB was correlated with the measures of income, education and social vulnerability. However, we observed areas with low vulnerability and high education and income, but with high estimated TB rates. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified areas with different risks for TB, given that the public health system deals with the characteristics of each region individually and prioritizes those that present a higher propensity to risk of TB. Complex relationships may exist between TB incidence and a wide range of environmental and intrinsic factors, which need to be studied in future research.

Spatio-temporal patterns of tuberculosis incidence in Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, southeast Brazil, and their relationship with social vulnerability: a Bayesian analysis / Padrões espaço-temporais da incidência de tuberculose em Ribeirão Preto, Estado de São Paulo, sudeste do Brasil, e suas relações com a vulnerabilidade social: uma análise bayesiana

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this ecological study was to evaluate the urban spatial and temporal distribution of tuberculosis (TB) in Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, southeast Brazil, between 2006 and 2009 and to evaluate its relationship with factors of social vulnerability such as income and education level. METHODS: We evaluated data from TBWeb, an electronic notification system for TB cases. Measures of social vulnerability were obtained from the SEADE Foundation, and information about the number of inhabitants, education and income of the households were obtained from Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Statistical analyses were conducted by a Bayesian regression model assuming a Poisson distribution for the observed new cases of TB in each area. A conditional autoregressive structure was used for the spatial covariance structure. RESULTS: The Bayesian model confirmed the spatial heterogeneity of TB distribution in Ribeirão Preto, identifying areas with elevated risk and the effects of social vulnerability on the disease. We demonstrated that the rate of TB was correlated with the measures of income, education and social vulnerability. However, we observed areas with low vulnerability and high education and income, but with high estimated TB rates. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified areas with different risks for TB, given that the public health system deals with the characteristics of each region individually and prioritizes those that present a higher propensity to risk of TB. Complex relationships may exist between TB incidence and a wide range of environmental and intrinsic factors, which need to be studied in future research.

INTRODUÇÃO: O objetivo deste estudo ecológico é avaliar a distribuição espacial e temporal da tuberculose (TB) na área urbana de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, entre os anos de 2006 e 2009, e estudar as suas relações com fatores de vulnerabilidade social como renda e educação. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados dados do TBWeb, um sistema de notificação de dados de TB. As medidas de vulnerabilidade social foram obtidas da Fundação SEADE (Sistema Estadual de Análise de Dados) e informações sobre o número de habitantes, educação e renda dos chefes dos domicílios foram obtidas do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. A análise estatística utilizou um modelo bayesiano de regressão assumindo que os novos casos de TB observados em cada área assumem uma distribuição de Poisson. RESULTADOS: O modelo bayesiano confirmou a heterogeneidade especial da distribuição da TB em Ribeirão Preto, identificando áreas com elevado risco de TB e os efeitos da vulnerabilidade social sobre a doença. Foi evidenciado que a taxa de TB associa-se com as medidas de renda, educação e vulnerabilidade social. Entretanto, são observadas áreas com baixa vulnerabilidade social e alto nível educacional, mas altas taxas de TB. CONCLUSÕES: O estudo identificou áreas com diferentes riscos de TB, permitindo que o sistema público de saúde lide com as diferentes características de cada região e priorize aquelas que apresentem maior propensão de risco de TB. São evidentes relações complexas entre a incidência de TB e um amplo número de fatores ambientais e intrínsecos, o que mostra a necessidade destes serem estudados em trabalhos futuros.

[Teenage pregnancy rates and socioeconomic characteristics of municipalities in São Paulo State, Southeast Brazil: a spatial analysis]. / Gravidez na adolescência e características socioeconômicas dos municípios do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil: análise espacial.

Teenage pregnancy is a common public health problem worldwide. The objective of this ecological study was to investigate the spatial association between teenage pregnancy rates and socioeconomic characteristics of municipalities in São Paulo State, Southeast Brazil. We used a Bayesian model with a spatial distribution following a conditional autoregressive (CAR) form based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm. We used data from the Live Birth Information System (SINASC) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Early pregnancy was more frequent in municipalities with lower per capital gross domestic product (GDP), higher poverty rate, smaller population, lower human development index (HDI), and a higher percentage of individuals with State social vulnerability index of 5 or 6 (more vulnerable). The study demonstrates a significant association between teenage pregnancy and socioeconomic indicators.

Gravidez na adolescência e características socioeconômicas dos municípios do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil: análise espacial / Teenage pregnancy rates and socioeconomic characteristics of municipalities in São Paulo State, Southeast Brazil: a spatial analysis

A gravidez na adolescência é um problema de saúde pública comum em todo o mundo. O objetivo deste estudo ecológico é estudar o padrão espacial da associação entre os percentuais de gravidez na adolescência e características socioeconômicas dos municípios do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Para isso, foi utilizado um modelo bayesiano com uma distribuição espacial que segue uma estrutura condicional autorregressiva (CAR), baseado em algoritmos Monte Carlo em cadeias de Markov (MCMC). Foram usados dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC) e do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Verificou-se que a ocorrência de gravidezes precoces apresentou-se maior nos municípios de menor produto interno bruto (PIB) per capita, com maior incidência de pobreza, de menor tamanho populacional, menor índice de desenvolvimento humano (IDH) e maior percentual de indivíduos com índice paulista de vulnerabilidade social (IPVS) igual a 5 ou 6, ou seja, mais vulneráveis. O estudo demonstra uma estreita associação entre gravidez na adolescência e indicadores econômicos e sociais.

Teenage pregnancy is a common public health problem worldwide. The objective of this ecological study was to investigate the spatial association between teenage pregnancy rates and socioeconomic characteristics of municipalities in São Paulo State, Southeast Brazil. We used a Bayesian model with a spatial distribution following a conditional autoregressive (CAR) form based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm. We used data from the Live Birth Information System (SINASC) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Early pregnancy was more frequent in municipalities with lower per capital gross domestic product (GDP), higher poverty rate, smaller population, lower human development index (HDI), and a higher percentage of individuals with State social vulnerability index of 5 or 6 (more vulnerable). The study demonstrates a significant association between teenage pregnancy and socioeconomic indicators.