Uso de benzodiazepínicos e suas implicações: revisão integrativa / Use of benzodiazepines and their implications: an integrative review / Uso de benzodiacepinas y sus implicaciones: una revisión integradora

Objetivo: analisar a produção científica sobre o uso de benzodiazepínicos. Método: revisão integrativa, com vistas a responder a questão norteadora << Quais as generalizações que podemos fazer acerca dos estudos sobre uso de benzodiazepínicos? >>, com levantamento de dados nas bases LILACS e MEDLINE, no período de 2008 a 2012, utilizando os descritores: benzodiazepinas, psicofármacos e farmacoepidemiologia. Para a análise dos artigos buscou-se os núcleos de sentido que compõem o corpus de 51 artigos selecionados. Resultados: na população, a prevalência do uso de benzodiazepínicos em diferentes populações variou de 6,9% e 14% na população geral e, entre idosos, varia de 9,2% a 13,8%. Esses valores variam segundo o método de obtenção de dados, sendo em média de 12% para fonte primária (envolvendo de 27 a 749 indivíduos) e 9,1% para estudos com fonte secundária (de 1.192 a 30.000 participantes). Conclusão: os estudos descrevem a prevalência e perfil dos usuários de benzodiazepínicos, mas não exploram as práticas e motivações para sua utilização. Isto dificulta o estabelecimento de generalizações que possam servir ao planejamento de ações de prevenção e uso racional desses medicamentos.(AU)

Objective: analyzing the scientific literature about the use of benzodiazepines. Method: an integrative review, in order to answering the question << What are the generalizations that we can do about the studies on the use of benzodiazepines? >>, with data collection in the LILACS and MEDLINE databases, from 2008 to 2012, using the descriptors: benzodiazepines, psychoactive drugs and pharmacoepidemiology. To analyzing the articles sought to the units of meaning that make up the corpus of 51 selected articles. Results: in the population, the prevalence of benzodiazepine use in different populations ranged from 6,9% to 14% in the general population, and among elderly varies from 9,2% to 13,8%. These values vary according to the method of obtaining data, averaging 12% for primary source (involving 27-749 individuals) and 9,1% for studies with secondary source (1.192-30.000 participants). Conclusion: the studies describe the prevalence and profile of users of benzodiazepines, but do not explore the practices and motivations for their use. This makes difficult the establishment of generalizations that may serve to planning of prevention action and the rational use of these medicines.(AU)

Objetivo: analizar la literatura científica acerca del uso de las benzodiacepinas. Método: una revisión integradora, con el fin de responder a la pregunta << ¿Cuáles son las generalizaciones que podemos hacer acerca de los estudios del uso de benzodiacepinas? >>, con la recogida de datos en las bases de datos LILACS y MEDLINE, de 2008 a 2012, utilizando los descriptores: benzodiacepinas, drogas psicoactivas y farmacoepidemiología. Para el análisis de los artículos buscó a las unidades de significado que constituyen el corpus de 51 artículos seleccionados. Resultados: en la población, la prevalencia del consumo de benzodiacepinas en diferentes poblaciones varió de 6,9% a 14% en la población general, y entre los ancianos varió de 9,2% a 13,8%. Estos valores varían de acuerdo con el método de obtención de datos, con un promedio de 12% para la fuente primaria (que implica 27 a 749 individuos) y 9,1% para los estudios con fuente secundaria (1.192-30.000 participantes). Conclusión: los estudios describen la prevalencia y el perfil de los usuarios de las benzodiacepinas, pero no exploran las prácticas y motivaciones para su uso. Esto dificulta el establecimiento de generalizaciones que pueden servir la planificación de la prevención y el uso racional de estos medicamentos.(AU)

[Assessment of competencies of community health workers for epidemiological data collection]. / Avaliação de competências de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde para coleta de dados epidemiológicos.

The scope of this study was to assess competencies in terms of reading, comprehension and problem-solving using educational material created for epidemiological research on people with disabilities. A form with twenty multiple-choice questions was prepared and distributed to a sample of 348 community health workers (CHWs) in the State of Paraíba. The socioeconomic profile revealed that, within the sample, most of these CHWs are female, between 30-49 years of age, married or in a stable relationship, with two children and have graduated from high school. Over 98% of CHWs are government employees and more than half have been working for more than eight years in the same community, predominantly in the urban area. The score for overall performance evaluation ranged from 33 to 60 points, with the mean score of 53.44 ± 4.88 points. This means that the CHWs were able to resolve over 65% of the questions properly. The overall performance was positively correlated with education and negatively with age, having children and the time taken to complete high school education. The overall results indicate the increasing professionalization and education of the CHWs and their potential role as collaborators in basic scientific research to make generalizations about public health.

Avaliação de competências de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde para coleta de dados epidemiológicos / Assessment of competencies of community health workers for epidemiological data collection

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar as competências de leitura, interpretação de texto e resolução de problemas de um material didático criado para pesquisa epidemiológica sobre pessoas com deficiências. Uma avaliação contendo vinte questões de múltipla escolha foi desenvolvida e aplicada em uma amostra de 348 agentes comunitários de saúde no estado da Paraíba. A caracterização socioeconômica da amostra mostrou que a maior parte desses profissionais é constituída por mulheres, de 30 a 49 anos, casadas ou que mantêm união estável, com dois filhos e ensino médio completo. Mais de 98% dos ACS são concursados e atuam há mais de oito anos nesta profissão e predominantemente na zona urbana. A pontuação referente ao desempenho global na avaliação variou de 33 até 60 pontos, sendo obtida a média de 53,44 ± 4,88 pontos. Isto significa que os agentes foram capazes de resolver adequadamente mais de 65% das questões. O desempenho global mostrou correlação positiva com a escolaridade e negativa com a idade, ter filhos e o tempo de conclusão do ensino formal. O conjunto dos resultados aponta a crescente profissionalização e escolarização dos ACS, e seu potencial papel como colaborador em pesquisas científicas fundamentais para estabelecimento de generalizações sobre a saúde das populações.

The scope of this study was to assess competencies in terms of reading, comprehension and problem-solving using educational material created for epidemiological research on people with disabilities. A form with twenty multiple-choice questions was prepared and distributed to a sample of 348 community health workers (CHWs) in the State of Paraíba. The socioeconomic profile revealed that, within the sample, most of these CHWs are female, between 30-49 years of age, married or in a stable relationship, with two children and have graduated from high school. Over 98% of CHWs are government employees and more than half have been working for more than eight years in the same community, predominantly in the urban area. The score for overall performance evaluation ranged from 33 to 60 points, with the mean score of 53.44 ± 4.88 points. This means that the CHWs were able to resolve over 65% of the questions properly. The overall performance was positively correlated with education and negatively with age, having children and the time taken to complete high school education. The overall results indicate the increasing professionalization and education of the CHWs and their potential role as collaborators in basic scientific research to make generalizations about public health.

[Could endogamy explain the higher prevalence of disabilities in the population of the Brazilian Northeast?]. / A endogamia explicaria a elevada prevalência de deficiências em populações do Nordeste brasileiro?

Despite conceptual inaccuracies and methods of measurement, the WHO estimates that about 10% of the world population has some form of disability. In order to investigate the prevalence and etiology of disabilities and to evaluate if they could be associated with inbreeding, a cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted using the informant method in five communities of the state Rio Grande do Norte in the Brazilian Northeast, in which consanguineous marriages frequencies varied between 9 and 32%. The average prevalence of disabilities in the five sampled communities was 4.53%, obtained by interviews that involved 37.87% of a population of 39,054 inhabitants. On average, 25% of consanguineous and 12% of non-consanguineous couples had one or more children with disabilities. The increased rate of individuals with disabilities in the Brazilian Northeast could be associated with the maintenance of the tradition of consanguineous marriages in these populations and some of these disabilities may be caused by genetic disorders.

A endogamia explicaria a elevada prevalência de deficiências em populações do Nordeste brasileiro? / Could endogamy explain the higher prevalence of disabilities in the population of the Brazilian Northeast?

Apesar da inexatidão conceitual e de métodos de aferição, a OMS estima que cerca de 10% da população mundial apresente alguma forma de deficiência. Com a finalidade de investigar a prevalência e a etiologia das deficiências e verificar se elas estariam associadas à endogamia, foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico transversal com uso do método do informante envolvendo cinco municípios do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, no Nordeste brasileiro; nos quais foram estimadas frequências de casamentos consanguíneos que variam de 9 a 32%. A prevalência média estimada para deficiências nos cinco municípios amostrados foi de 4,53%, obtida por meio de entrevistas envolvendo 37,87% de uma população de 39.054 habitantes. Em média, 25% dos casais consanguíneos e 12% dos não consanguíneos apresentaram um ou mais filhos com alguma deficiência. A elevada prevalência de pessoas com deficiência no Nordeste brasileiro pode ter associação com a manutenção da tradição de casamentos consanguíneos nessas populações e parte dessas deficiências pode ser causada por doenças genéticas.

Despite conceptual inaccuracies and methods of measurement, the WHO estimates that about 10% of the world population has some form of disability. In order to investigate the prevalence and etiology of disabilities and to evaluate if they could be associated with inbreeding, a cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted using the informant method in five communities of the state Rio Grande do Norte in the Brazilian Northeast, in which consanguineous marriages frequencies varied between 9 and 32%. The average prevalence of disabilities in the five sampled communities was 4.53%, obtained by interviews that involved 37.87% of a population of 39,054 inhabitants. On average, 25% of consanguineous and 12% of non-consanguineous couples had one or more children with disabilities. The increased rate of individuals with disabilities in the Brazilian Northeast could be associated with the maintenance of the tradition of consanguineous marriages in these populations and some of these disabilities may be caused by genetic disorders.

Effect of the yellow passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa deg.) in insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

BACKGROUND: A study with the yellow passion fruit peel flour showed positive action in blood glucose control as therapies' adjuvant in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, we evaluated its effect on insulin sensitivity since there is a quest for studies that focus at better understanding of insulin resistance aspects in diabetic patients. Furthermore its relationship with chronic complications can also give good prospects for alternative treatments. METHODS: A total of 43 type 2 diabetes volunteers (28 females and 15 males) ingested 30 g/day of the yellow passion fruit peel flour for two months. The levels of blood glucose and fasting insulin, HOMA index and glycated hemoglobin were measured for each patient before and after dietary supplementation. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the fasting blood glucose values (P = 0.000) and glycated hemoglobin (P = 0.032) after supplementation. It was also seen a reduction in HOMA IR (P = 0.005) in the supplemented group, however it was not observed changes in insulin values for females. HOMA beta (P = 0.000) showed significant increase in its values for the studied group. CONCLUSIONS: The supplementation used decreased insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients, suggesting a positive action in blood glucose control as adjuvant therapy in conventional treatments.