Derivation and validation of a national multicenter mortality risk stratification model - the ExCare model: a study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical care is essential for proper management of various diseases. However, it can result in unfavorable outcomes. In order to identify patients at higher risk of complications, several risk stratification models have been developed. Ideally, these tools should be simple, reproducible, accurate, and externally validated. Unfortunately, none of the best-known risk stratification instruments have been validated in Brazil. In this sense, the Ex-Care model was developed by retrospective data analysis of surgical patients in a major Brazilian university hospital. It consists of four independent predictors easily collected in the preoperative evaluation, showing high accuracy in predicting death within 30 days after surgery. OBJECTIVES: To update and validate a Brazilian national-based model of postoperative death probability within 30 days based on the Ex-Care model. Also, to develop an application for smartphones that allows preoperative risk stratification by Ex-Care model. METHODS: Ten participating centers will collect retrospective data from digital databases. Variables age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status, surgical severity (major or non-major) and nature (elective or urgent) will be evaluated as predictors for in-hospital mortality within 30 postoperative days, considered the primary outcome. EXPECTED RESULTS: We believe that the Ex-Care model will present discriminative capacity similar to other classically used scores validated for surgical mortality prediction. Furthermore, the mobile application to be developed will provide a practical and easy-to-use tool to the professionals enrolled in perioperative care.

Evaluation of BDNF levels in patients hospitalized for physical trauma at an emergency hospital in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil / Avaliação dos níveis de BDNF em pacientes hospitalizados por trauma físico em um hospital de emergência de Porto Alegre, sul do Brasil

Abstract Objective To assess the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and acute stress disorder (ASD) in patients who have suffered physical trauma. Methods Data were collected at an emergency hospital in Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Participants were over 18 years of age, victims of physical trauma, and had been hospitalized for a minimum of 48 hours. A total of 117 hospitalized patients who agreed to participate in the research were grouped according to the shift in which blood was collected (38 subjects from the morning shift and 79 from the afternoon shift), had their BDNF levels measured and responded to other questionnaires. Respondents were further grouped by age into three ranges: 18-30, 31-50 and 51-70 years. Results We found a significant difference in the distribution of BDNF between the two shifts in which blood samples were collected, with the afternoon group having higher BDNF levels (U = 1906.5, p = 0.018). A difference was observed only between the 18-30 group and the 51-70 group in the afternoon shift (Umorning = 1107, pmorning = 0.575; Uafternoon = 7175, pafternoon = 0.028). Conclusions The population whose blood samples were collected in the afternoon showed significantly higher values of BDNF compared to those of the morning shift. This same population presented lower BDNF levels when associated with ASD subtypes A1, A2, and A. We hypothesize that the lower values of BDNF measured in the morning shift were due to a response to the circadian cycle of cortisol, whose action inhibits the expression of serum neurotrophins.

Resumo Objetivo Verificar a associação entre os níveis de fator neurotrófico derivado do cérebro (brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF]) e transtorno de estresse agudo (TEA) em pacientes que sofreram trauma físico. Métodos Os dados foram coletados em um hospital de emergência de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os participantes eram maiores de 18 anos, vítimas de trauma físico e estavam hospitalizados por um período mínimo de 48 horas. Um total de 117 pacientes hospitalizados que concordaram em participar da pesquisa foram agrupados de acordo com o turno de realização da coleta de sangue (38 sujeitos no turno da manhã e 79 sujeitos no turno da tarde), tiveram seus níveis de BDNF medidos e responderam a outros questionários. Os entrevistados também foram agrupados por idade em três faixas etárias: 18-30, 31-50 e 51-70 anos. Resultados Encontramos uma diferença significativa na distribuição de BDNF entre os turnos, sendo que o grupo da tarde apresentou níveis maiores de BDNF (U = 1906,5, p = 0,018). Houve diferença entre o grupo de 18-30 anos e o de 51-70 anos no turno da tarde (Umanhã = 1107, pmanhã = 0,575; Utarde = 7175, ptarde = 0,028). Conclusões A população cuja coleta ocorreu à tarde apresentou valores significativamente maiores de BDNF em relação à coleta do turno da manhã. Esta mesma população apresentou menores níveis dessa neurotrofina quando associada com os subtipos A1, A2 e A de TEA. É possível hipotetizar que os menores valores de BDNF aferidos na coleta do turno da manhã se devam a uma resposta ao ciclo circadiano do cortisol, cuja ação inibe a expressão de neurotrofinas séricas.

Evaluation of BDNF levels in patients hospitalized for physical trauma at an emergency hospital in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and acute stress disorder (ASD) in patients who have suffered physical trauma. METHODS: Data were collected at an emergency hospital in Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Participants were over 18 years of age, victims of physical trauma, and had been hospitalized for a minimum of 48 hours. A total of 117 hospitalized patients who agreed to participate in the research were grouped according to the shift in which blood was collected (38 subjects from the morning shift and 79 from the afternoon shift), had their BDNF levels measured and responded to other questionnaires. Respondents were further grouped by age into three ranges: 18-30, 31-50 and 51-70 years. RESULTS: We found a significant difference in the distribution of BDNF between the two shifts in which blood samples were collected, with the afternoon group having higher BDNF levels (U = 1906.5, p = 0.018). A difference was observed only between the 18-30 group and the 51-70 group in the afternoon shift (Umorning = 1107, pmorning = 0.575; Uafternoon = 7175, pafternoon = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: The population whose blood samples were collected in the afternoon showed significantly higher values of BDNF compared to those of the morning shift. This same population presented lower BDNF levels when associated with ASD subtypes A1, A2, and A. We hypothesize that the lower values of BDNF measured in the morning shift were due to a response to the circadian cycle of cortisol, whose action inhibits the expression of serum neurotrophins.

Acute stress disorder and defense mechanisms: a study of physical trauma patients admitted to an emergency hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Acute stress disorder (ASD) encompasses a set of symptoms that can arise in individuals after exposure to a traumatic event. This study assessed the defense mechanisms used by victims of physical trauma who developed ASD. METHOD: This was a controlled cross-sectional study of 146 patients who suffered physical trauma and required hospitalization. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate ASD symptoms based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, in addition to the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ). RESULTS: Ten participants (6.85%) received a positive diagnosis of ASD, and 136, (93.15%) a negative diagnosis. The majority of the sample consisted of men with median age ranging from 33.50 to 35.50. The most prevalent defense mechanisms among the 10 patients with ASD were cancellation and devaluation, which belong to the neurotic and immature factors, respectively. Positive associations between the presence of symptoms from criterion B of the DSM-5 and defense mechanisms from the DSQ were found. These included the mechanisms of undoing, projection, passive aggression, acting out, autistic fantasy, displacement, and somatization. CONCLUSION: Patients with ASD employed different defense mechanisms such as undoing and devaluation when compared to patients not diagnosed with ASD. These results mark the importance of early detection of ASD symptoms at a preventative level, thereby creating new possibilities for avoiding exacerbations related to the trauma, which represents an important advance in terms of public health.

Acute stress disorder and defense mechanisms: a study of physical trauma patients admitted to an emergency hospital / Transtorno de estresse agudo e mecanismos de defesa: pesquisa com pacientes que sofreram trauma físico atendidos em um hospital de emergência

Abstract Introduction: Acute stress disorder (ASD) encompasses a set of symptoms that can arise in individuals after exposure to a traumatic event. This study assessed the defense mechanisms used by victims of physical trauma who developed ASD. Method: This was a controlled cross-sectional study of 146 patients who suffered physical trauma and required hospitalization. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate ASD symptoms based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, in addition to the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ). Results: Ten participants (6.85%) received a positive diagnosis of ASD, and 136, (93.15%) a negative diagnosis. The majority of the sample consisted of men with median age ranging from 33.50 to 35.50. The most prevalent defense mechanisms among the 10 patients with ASD were cancellation and devaluation, which belong to the neurotic and immature factors, respectively. Positive associations between the presence of symptoms from criterion B of the DSM-5 and defense mechanisms from the DSQ were found. These included the mechanisms of undoing, projection, passive aggression, acting out, autistic fantasy, displacement, and somatization. Conclusion: Patients with ASD employed different defense mechanisms such as undoing and devaluation when compared to patients not diagnosed with ASD. These results mark the importance of early detection of ASD symptoms at a preventative level, thereby creating new possibilities for avoiding exacerbations related to the trauma, which represents an important advance in terms of public health.

Resumo Introdução: O transtorno de estresse agudo (TEA) reúne um conjunto de sintomas que pode surgir nos indivíduos após exposição a um evento traumático. Este estudo verificou a relação entre o estilo defensivo e o desenvolvimento de TEA e seus sintomas em uma amostra de pacientes que sofreram trauma físico. Métodos: Este estudo transversal controlado envolveu 146 pacientes que sofreram trauma físico e necessitaram hospitalização. Um questionário estruturado foi utilizado para avaliar sintomas de TEA, baseado nos critérios diagnósticos do DSM-5, além do Questionário de Estilo Defensivo (Defense Style Questionnaire - DSQ). Resultados: Dez (6,85%) pacientes tiveram diagnóstico positivo para TEA, e 136 (93,15%), diagnóstico negativo. A maioria da amostra foi composta por homens com idade mediana variando de 33,50 a 35,50. Nos 10 pacientes positivos para TEA, destacou-se a maior utilização de mecanismos de defesa de anulação e desvalorização, pertencentes ao fator neurótico e ao fator imaturo, respectivamente. Foram observadas associações positivas entre presença de sintomas de TEA do critério B do DSM-5 e os mecanismos de defesa do DSQ, sobretudo nos mecanismos de anulação, projeção, agressão passiva, acting out, fantasia autística, deslocamento e somatização. Conclusão: Pacientes com TEA utilizaram mais mecanismos de defesa do tipo anulação e desvalorização quando comparados aos pacientes sem diagnóstico de TEA. Ressalta-se a importância da detecção precoce de sintomas de TEA a fim de evitar outros agravos relacionados ao trauma, o que representa uma importante evolução em termos de saúde pública.

Aspergillosis of the nose and paranasal sinuses: a review of 54 cases

Aspergillus species are considered opportunistic fungi of increasing clinical importance. Informationregarding extrapulmonary involvement is scarce. The aim of this study was to isolate the differentspecies of Aspergillus from patients with rhinosinusitis. A retrospective study was conducted ina university hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil (1986–2014). For mycological diagnoses, paranasaltissue obtained at surgery was subjected to histopathology examination and sent for fungal cultures.Of the 54 samples analyzed, 32 were diagnosed positive by culture. The underlying causes ofimmunodeficiency were: six with transplantation (three bone marrow,two lung, one kidney) andtwo with hematological disease (one bone marrow neoplasia and two leukemia). In the presentstudy, the clinical manifestations of rhinosinusitis aspergillosis were: 20 allergic reactions, 20fungus balls, and 14 acute invasive cases. The species isolated from the 54 samples were: Aspergillusfumigatus (n=14); A. flavus (n=6); A. niger (n=2); A. terreus (n=1); A. fischeri (n=1); and Aspergillussp., (n=3). Two concomitant species of Aspergillus were observed in two patients: A. fumigatus andA. flavus; and A. fumigatus and A. niger. In four patients, Aspergillus was associated with other fungi. These were: A. flavus and Fusarium, A. fumigatus and Rhyzopus, A. flavus and Mucorales, and Aspergillus sp. and Mucorales. The most common species of Aspergillus that were responsiblefor paranasal sinus infections were A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger...

Espécies de Aspergillus são considerados fungos oportunistas de crescente importância clínica.Informações sobre o envolvimento extrapulmonar é escassa. O objetivo deste estudo foi isolaras diferentes espécies de Aspergillus em pacientes com rinossinusite. Um estudo retrospectivofoi realizado em um hospital universitário em Porto Alegre, Brasil (1986-2014). Para diagnósticomicológico, tecido paranasais obtido no momento da cirurgia foi submetido a exame histopatológicoe encaminhados para cultivos de fungos. Das 54 amostras analisadas, 32 foram diagnosticados pelocultivo positivo. As causas subjacentes da imunodeficiência foram: seis com transplante (medulaóssea, três, pulmão, dois; rim, um) e dois com doenças hematológicas (neoplasia osso estreito,um; leucemia, duas). No presente estudo, as manifestações clínicas de rinossinusite aspergilarforam: alérgica, 20; bolas fúngica, 20; e aguda invasiva, 14. As espécies fúngicas isoladas foram:Aspergillus fumigatus, 14; A. flavus, seis; A. niger, dois; A. terreus, um; A. fischeri, um; e Aspergillussp., três. Duas espécies de Aspergillus concomitantes foram observadas em dois pacientes: A.fumigatus e A. flavus; e A. fumigatus e A. niger. Em quatro pacientes, Aspergillus foi associado comoutros fungos: A. flavus e Fusarium, um; A. fumigatus e Rhyzopus, um; A. flavus e Mucorales, um; eAspergillus sp. e Mucorales, um. Os isolados mais comuns de Aspergillus que são responsáveis porinfecções dos seios paranasais são A. fumigatus, A. flavus e A. niger...