Early Abortions and Congenital Malformations: A Comparison Between Agricultural and Nonagricultural Areas in the State of São Paulo/Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Areas with higher agricultural production have higher rates of abortion and malformation, probable related to pesticides. OBJECTIVE: To compare the rates of early abortion and fetal malformation in agricultural and nonagricultural areas. METHOD: A survey was carried out on fetal deaths in children weighing less than 500 g or gestational age less than 22 weeks and fetal malformations in live births. RESULTS: From 1996 to 2018, there was an increase in the rates of abortion and, albeit to a lesser extent, malformation. The areas of greater agricultural production have higher rates of fetal mortality and malformation than the others. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that areas with higher use of pesticides have higher rates of abortion and fetal malformations than the others, requiring further observational studies, reducing confounders inherent to the ecological study.

Apgar, diagnósticos de malformação fetal e condições de parto em São Paulo / Apgar, fetal malformation diagnoses and delivery conditions in São Paulo

Objetivo: Determinar a correlação entre vias de parto, locais de parto e prognóstico neonatal por meio do índice de Apgar e a capacidade de diagnosticar malforma- ções. Métodos: A pesquisa foi realizada no Sistema de Informação de Nascidos Vivos para variáveis de parto e malformações. Também correlacionamos o Apgar com ou sem malformação fetal e local do parto. Resultados: Houve uma quantidade considerável de dados de Apgar indefinidos, especialmente em partos domiciliares. Os partos domiciliares com malformações fetais com Apgar 0-2 e 3-5 no primeiro minuto também apresentaram piores taxas de recuperação no quinto minuto em comparação a cesárea e parto vaginal intra-hospitalar. O registro do diagnóstico das malformações fetais ocorre em ambiente hospitalar e é mais frequente do que no domiciliar. Recém-nascidos com malformações fetais apresentaram maiores taxas de Apgar ao nascer em ambiente hospitalar. As anomalias associadas aos piores prognósticos foram neurológicas e cardiológicas, enquanto as menos associadas foram as de pés e quadris. Conclusão: Esta pesquisa sugere que a cesárea e o parto hospitalar estão correlacionados a um melhor prognóstico do recém-nascido com malformação, bem como a capacidade de diagnosticar doenças congênitas que potencialmente requerem intervenção médica imediata.(AU)

Objective: To determine the correlation between delivery routes, delivery sites and neonatal prognosis through Apgar score and the ability to diagnose malformations. Methods: Research was carried out in the Live Birth Information System for delivery variables and malformations. We also correlated Apgar with or without fetal malformation and delivery site. Results: There was a considerable amount of undefined Apgar data, especially in home births. Home births with fetal malformations with Apgar 0-2 and 3-5 in the first minute also showed worse recovery rates in the fifth minute compared to cesarean section and intra-hospital vaginal delivery. Registration of the diagnosis of fetal malformations occurs in a hospital environment and is more frequent than at home. Newborns with fetal malformations had higher Apgar rates when born in a hospital environment. The abnormalities associated with the worst prognoses were neurological and cardiological, while the least associated were those of the feet and hips. Conclusion: This research suggests that caesarean section and hospital births are correlated with a better prognosis of the newborn with malformation, as well as ability to diagnose congenital diseases that potentially require immediate medical intervention.(AU)

Cobertura vacinal em declínio: hora de agir!

A cobertura vacinal está em queda no Brasil. Os dados são oficiais. O Ministério da Saúde (MS) adverte que mais de 300 municípios têm cobertura menor do que 50% para a poliomielite, até 1 ano de idade...

O direito à saúde e o diagnóstico tardio do câncer de mama na região sudoeste da Bahia / The right of health and the late diagnosis of breast cancer in the southeast of Bahia

Este trabalho tem a expectativa de analisar os fatores que contribuem para o diagnóstico tardio do Ca de mama em mulheres da região Sudoeste da Bahia, atendidas no SUS, à luz do direito à saúde, para, assim, produzir informações que contribuam para o acesso das mulheres ao diagnóstico precoce do Ca de mama, a partir do embasamento e sensibilização dos gestores para a tomada de decisões. (AU)

Judicialização do acesso a medicamentos: análise do itinerário dos usuários / Judicialization of access to medicines: analysis of the itinerary of the users

Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo visando conhecer os itinerários dos pacientes em busca dos medicamentos prescritos para suas doenças ou condições de saúde, assim como suas percepções a respeito do direito à saúde. Para tanto, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com seis participantes selecionados a partir dos processos judiciais contra o município de Vitória da Conquista (BA) nos anos de 2013 e 2014 que tinham como objeto a dispensação de medicamento(s). (AU)

Leprosy in Brazilian counties bordering Paraguay: Mato Grosso do Sul State, 2001-2011.

BACKGROUND: In Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, the dry border shared with Paraguay is a territory marked by facilities in the flow of goods, services and people, bringing difficulties for surveillance of communicable diseases. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to characterise leprosy epidemiologically in dry border municipalities of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil with contiguous urban areas with neighbouring Paraguayan counties, in the period 2001-2011. METHODS: This is an exploratory descriptive investigation that includes the four dry border municipalities of Mato Grosso do Sul (Coronel Sapucaia, Paranhos, Ponta Porã, and Sete Quedas) in Brazil whose urban areas are contiguous with Paraguay. Data comprised the period 2001-2011. RESULTS: The rates of leprosy detection and prevalence oscillated along the study period, increasing in the last 2 years investigated. The detection rate was 3.3/10,000 in 2011, up from 1.7/10,000 in 2009. Prevalence was 5.3/10,000 in 2011, up from 2.5/10,000 in 2009. The Virchowian disease form was predominant in 8 of the 11 years investigated. Most patients were male, with limited formal education (44.2% with less than 4 years of study). CONCLUSION: In the border of Brazil, most (greater than 70%) of the cases detected were classified as multibacillary. The higher coefficient found in Brazilian municipalities was the Virchowian clinical form, which can influence the operational classification in multibacillary. The predominance of the Virchowian clinical form, larger number of patients in rural areas and children under 15 years of age provides new information on the manifestations of the disease in the border territories. The study revealed that municipalities with contiguous cross-border urban areas with Paraguay have unique epidemiological features that need to be addressed by policies focusing leprosy as a public health priority.

Predictors for papillary thyroid cancer persistence and recurrence: a retrospective analysis with a 10-year follow-up cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine outcome predictors of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) persistence and recurrence, separately. CONTEXT: The factors contributing to either persistence or recurrence of PTC are poorly defined, as both outcomes are usually evaluated together. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: In this 10-year follow-up cohort study, 190 PTC patients were evaluated (18-85 years old; registered from 1 January 1990 to31 December 1999 at a Brazilian Cancer Care referral Hospital). After initial surgery, we examined persistence (disease detected up to 1 year), recurrence (disease detected after 1 year) and PTC-free status (disease absence during follow-up). MEASUREMENTS: Outcome predictors were modelled using multinomial logit regression analysis. RESULTS: The univariate analysis showed that persistence and recurrence were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (OR = 12·33; OR = 2·84, respectively), local aggressiveness (OR = 5·22; OR = 3·35) and extrathyroidal extension (OR = 5·07; OR = 7·11). Persistence was associated with male sex (OR = 3·49), age above 45 years old at diagnosis (OR = 1·03), macroscopic lymph node metastasis (OR = 5·85), local aggressiveness (OR = 5·22), each 1-cm tumour size increase (OR = 1·34), a cancer care referral hospital as the place of initial surgery (OR = 2·3), thyroidectomy or near total thyroidectomy(OR = 3·03) and neck dissection (OR = 3·19). Recurrence was associated with the time of radioactive iodine ((131) I) therapy (OR = 3·71). After data modelling, persistence was associated with macroscopic lymph node metastasis (OR = 6·17), 1-cm increases in tumour size (OR = 1·30) and thyroidectomy or near total thyroidectomy (OR = 3·82), while recurrence was associated with surgery at referral hospital (OR = 3·79). CONCLUSIONS: The best predictors of persistence were tumour size and macroscopic lymph node metastasis; when the initial surgery is of quality, the recurrence depends more on tumour's biology aspects.

The context of leprosy in Brazil-Paraguay border.

In Brazil, leprosy is endemic in three regions: the North, Northeast, and Mid-West. Counties with contiguous binational urban areas are characterized by a constant flow of people, goods, and services, which facilitates the transmission of diseases and influences the epidemiological profile of leprosy. The purpose of this study was to examine territorial differences in relation to the incidence of leprosy, focusing on border counties with contiguous binational urban areas or otherwise. Each county was taken as an information unit for leprosy cases reported during 2001-2011, based on data from original notification records of the state's Department of Health. In counties with contiguous binational urban areas detection rates showed tendency to increase, Virchowian (lepromatous) disease and disability grade II predominated when compared with Groups II and III: 0.64 and 0.54/100,000 inhabitants for Virchowian disease and 0.14 and 0.27/100,000 inhabitants for disability grade II respectively, and were associated with higher transmission rates. The findings demonstrate the role of border areas in maintaining the endemicity of leprosy.

The context of leprosy in Brazil-Paraguay border / O contexto da hanseníase na fronteira Brasil/Paraguai

Abstract In Brazil, leprosy is endemic in three regions: the North, Northeast, and Mid-West. Counties with contiguous binational urban areas are characterized by a constant fow of people, goods, and services, which facilitates the transmission of diseases and influences the epidemiological profile of leprosy. The purpose of this study was to examine territorial differences in relation to the incidence of leprosy, focusing on border counties with contiguous binational urban areas or otherwise. Each county was taken as an information unit for leprosy cases reported during 2001-2011, based on data from original notification records of the state's Department of Health. In counties with contiguous binational urban areas detection rates showed tendency to increase, Virchowian (lepromatous) disease and disability grade II predominated when compared with Groups II and III: 0.64 and 0.54/100,000 inhabitants for Virchowian desease and 0.14 and 0.27/100,000 inhabitants for disability grade II respectively, and were associated with higher transmission rates. The findings demonstrate the role of border areas in maintaining the endemicity of leprosy.

Resumo A hanseníase no Brasil é endêmica em três regiões: norte, nordeste e centro-oeste. As cidades com áreas urbanas contíguas entre o Brasil e Paraguai têm como característica intenso fluxo de pessoas, bens e serviços, cuja mobilidade favorece a transmissão de doenças e influencia no perfil epidemiológico da hanseníase. O objetivo do estudo é analisar as diferenças territoriais relacionadas aos casos de hanseníase, considerando os municípios da linha de fronteira com e sem áreas urbanas contiguas e demais municípios de Mato Grosso do Sul. Cada município foi tratado como unidade de informação para os casos de hanseníase notificados no período de 2001 a 2011, sendo os dados obtidos a partir da base de dados composta pelas fichas de notificação originais da Secretaria de Estado de Saúde. Em municípios com áreas urbanas contiguas, a detecção de casos mostra tendência de aumento, maior coeficientes da forma clínica virchowiana e grau de incapacidade II, em relação aos grupos II e III, que apresentaram 0,64 e 0,54/100.000 da forma clínica virchowiana, respectivamente, e 0,14 e 0,27/100.000, respectivamente, para o grau II de incapacidade. Situação que implica no aumento da transmissão da doença e configura o território de fronteira como cidade urbana contigua importante na manutenção da hanseníase como endêmica.

Nanotecnología. El impacto potencial de las nanotecnologías y las nanopartículas para la salud humana / Nanotechnology. The potential impact of nanotechnologies and nanoparticles to human health

Los nanomateriales pueden tener diferentes propiedades a las del mismo material en mayor escala. Esto permite el uso en diversas ramas de la producción, con un papel especial en la industria de la salud, como en sensores para el diagnóstico y recubrimiento de fármacos para drug delivery. Diferentes propiedades del mismo material, determinadas por la escala, podrán determinar diferentes toxicidades. De hecho, ya conocemos algunos efectos tóxicos celulares, tales como la producción de radicales libres y en los sistemas cardiovascular y respiratorio, en la piel y otros órganos por ciertos nanomateriales, incluyendo nanopartículas presentes en el smog. En este trabajo, una revisión integradora tiene como objetivo presentar estos temas en general, destacando que los nanomateriales están cada vez más presentes en los productos utilizados en la vida cotidiana.

Nanomaterials may have different properties than the same materials at larger scales. This allows use in various branches of production, with a special role in the healthcare industry, such as sensors for diagnosis and drug coating for drug delivery. Different properties of the material depend on the scale, may determine different toxicities. In fact, we already know some cellular toxic effects such as the production of free radicals, and in cardiovascular, respiratory, skin and other systems and organs by certain nanomaterials, including nanoparticles in smog. In this work integrative review aims to present these issues in general, noting that nanomaterials are increasingly present in products used in everyday life.

[Reproducibility, relative validity, and calibration of a food-frequency questionnaire for adults in Greater Metropolitan Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil]. / Reprodutibilidade, validade relativa e calibração de um questionário de frequência alimentar para adultos da Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

This study tested the relative validity and estimated calibration factors of a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with 120 food items in 128 adults. We applied one FFQ and three 24h recalls. Validity was tested by the Bland-Altman method, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), classification in quartile categorization, and weighted kappa. Calibration factors were estimated by linear regression, with 24h recall of food intake as the dependent variable and the FFQ values as the independent variable. FFQ underestimated the nutrient intake when compared to 24h recall. The energy-adjusted and de-attenuated ICC ranged from 0.19 (zinc) to 0.82 (calcium). 37% of subjects were classified in the same quartile, with mean kappa of 0.28 (zinc: 0.08; calcium: 0.49). The highest calibration factors were 0.48 (calcium), 0.47 (potassium), and 0.44 (carbohydrates), and the lowest was 0.10 (retinol). FFQ showed satisfactory relative validity and calibrated energy and nutrient intake values similar to 24h recall.

Reprodutibilidade, validade relativa e calibração de um questionário de frequência alimentar para adultos da Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Reproducibility, relative validity, and calibration of a food-frequency questionnaire for adults in Greater Metropolitan Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil / Reproducibilidad, validez relativa y calibración de un cuestionario de frecuencia alimentaria para adultos de la región metropolitana de Porto Alegre, Río Grande do Sul, Brasil

Este estudo testou reprodutibilidade e validade relativa, e estimou fatores de calibração de um QFA (questionário de frequência alimentar) com 120 itens alimentares, em 128 adultos. Aplicou-se um QFA e três inquéritos recordatórios de 24hs (IR24h). A validade foi testada pelo método de Bland-Altman, correlação intraclasse (CCI), classificação em quartos de ingestão e kappa ponderado. Os fatores de calibração foram estimados por meio de regressão linear, com os valores de ingestão alimentar do IR24h como variável dependente e os valores do QFA como variável independente. O QFA subestimou a ingestão da maioria dos nutrientes em relação ao IR24h. O CCI corrigido para energia e deatenuado variou de 0,19 (zinco) a 0,82 (cálcio). Trinta e sete por cento dos indivíduos foram classificados no mesmo quarto, com valor médio de kappa de 0,28 (zinco: 0,08; cálcio: 0,49). Os maiores fatores de calibração foram 0,48 (cálcio), 0,47 (potássio) e 0,44 (carboidratos), e o menor fator foi 0,10 (retinol). Esse QFA demonstrou validade relativa satisfatória e valores de ingestão de energia e nutrientes calibrados semelhantes ao IR24h.

This study tested the relative validity and estimated calibration factors of a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with 120 food items in 128 adults. We applied one FFQ and three 24h recalls. Validity was tested by the Bland-Altman method, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), classification in quartile categorization, and weighted kappa. Calibration factors were estimated by linear regression, with 24h recall of food intake as the dependent variable and the FFQ values as the independent variable. FFQ underestimated the nutrient intake when compared to 24h recall. The energy-adjusted and de-attenuated ICC ranged from 0.19 (zinc) to 0.82 (calcium). 37% of subjects were classified in the same quartile, with mean kappa of 0.28 (zinc: 0.08; calcium: 0.49). The highest calibration factors were 0.48 (calcium), 0.47 (potassium), and 0.44 (carbohydrates), and the lowest was 0.10 (retinol). FFQ showed satisfactory relative validity and calibrated energy and nutrient intake values similar to 24h recall.

Se evaluó la validez relativa y se obtuvieron los factores de calibración de un cuestionario de frecuencia alimentaria (CFA) con 120 alimentos en 128 adultos. Se aplicó un CFA y tres recuerdos de 24 horas (R24h). La validez se evaluó mediante el método de Bland-Altman, correlación intraclase (CCI), clasificación en cuartil de ingesta, y kappa ponderado. Los factores de calibración se estimaron por regresión lineal, con los valores del R24h como la variable dependiente y los valores de los CFA como la variable independiente. El CFA subestimó la ingesta de nutrientes en relación con R24h. El CCI corregido para la energía y desatenuado osciló entre 0,19 (zinc) y 0,82 (calcio). Un 37% de los sujetos fueron clasificados en el mismo cuartil de ingesta, con un valor promedio de kappa de 0,28 (zinc: 0,08; calcio: 0,49). Los mayores factores de calibración fueron 0,48 (calcio), 0,47 (potasio) y 0,44 (carbohidrato), y el factor más bajo fue de 0,10 (retinol). Este CFA demostró validez satisfactoria y los valores relativos de la ingesta de energía y nutrientes similares al R24h calibrado.

Production of iodine-124 and its applications in nuclear medicine.

Until recently, iodine-124 was not considered to be an attractive isotope for medical applications owing to its complex radioactive decay scheme, which includes several high-energy gamma rays. However, its unique chemical properties, and convenient half-life of 4.2 days indicated it would be only a matter of time for its frequent application to become a reality. The development of new medical imaging techniques, especially improvements in the technology of positron emission tomography (PET), such as the development of new detectors and signal processing electronics, has opened up new prospects for its application. With the increasing use of PET in medical oncology, pharmacokinetics, and drug metabolism, (124)I-labeled radiopharmaceuticals are now becoming one of the most useful tools for PET imaging, and owing to the convenient half-life of I-124, they can be used in PET scanners far away from the radionuclide production site. Thus far, the limited availability of this radionuclide has been an impediment to its wider application in clinical use. For example, sodium [(124)I]-iodide is potentially useful for diagnosis and dosimetry in thyroid disease and [(124)I]-M-iodobenzylguanidine ([(124)I]-MIBG) has enormous potential for use in cardiovascular imaging, diagnosis, and dosimetry of malignant diseases such as neuroblastoma, paraganglioma, pheochromocytoma, and carcinoids. However, despite that potential, both are still not widely used. This is a typical scenario of a rising new star among the new PET tracers.

Seasonal variation of food intake of adults from Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The measurement of usual food intake (FI) is necessary to accurately establish the relationship between diet and disease. In most studies data are collected at one particular time of the year, which may influence the interpretation of the results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of seasonality on FI in a sample of adults from Niterói, RJ, Brazil. A total of 102 healthy subjects (69 women) aged between 20 and 69 years were interviewed to obtain six 24-hour dietary recalls, three in summer and three in winter. In both seasons, the intake of energy (EI) and 23 nutrients was determined and the percent of subjects who met the recommendations for the nutrients were computed. The data of FI were deattenuated considering the within-person variability and adjusted for energy. The intake of energy and some nutrients were significantly different between men and women. EI did not differ between seasons, for both sexes, but the intake of macro and micronutrients was different. The results of this study suggest that the seasonality in the measurement of FI should be considered in order to improve the methods and instruments used in population dietary surveys.

Variacao sazonal na ingestao alimentar de adultos de Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro / Seasonal variation of food intake of adults from Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A aferição da ingestão alimentar (IA) usual é necessária para estabelecer, com acurácia, a relação entre a dieta e o aparecimento de doenças. Na maioria dos estudos, os dados de IA usual são coletados referentes ao período de um ano, sem considerar a estação do ano em que o estudo ocorre. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o efeito da sazonalidade na IA de adultos de Niterói, RJ. Um total de 102 sujeitos (69 mulheres) saudáveis, com idade entre 20 e 69 anos, responderam a seis recordatórios dietéticos de 24 horas, três no verão e três no inverno. Em ambas as estações do ano, foi determinada a ingestão energética (IE) e de 23 nutrientes, além do percentual de indivíduos que alcançavam as recomendações dos mesmos. Os dados finais foram deatenuados pela variabilidade intraindividual e ajustados pela energia. A IE e de alguns nutrientes foram significativamente diferentes entre os homens e as mulheres. A IE não se diferenciou entre as estações, para ambos os sexos, porém a ingestão de proteínas, fibras, magnésio, tiamina, piridoxina e niacina foi diferente entre as estações para ambos os sexos. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que a sazonalidade seja considerada na aferição da IA, servindo de base para a adequação dos métodos e instrumentos utilizados nos inquéritos dietéticos populacionais.

The measurement of usual food intake (FI) is necessary to accurately establish the relationship between diet and disease. In most studies data are collected at one particular time of the year, which may influence the interpretation of the results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of seasonality on FI in a sample of adults from Niterói, RJ, Brazil. A total of 102 healthy subjects (69 women) aged between 20 and 69 years were interviewed to obtain six 24-hour dietary recalls, three in summer and three in winter. In both seasons, the intake of energy (EI) and 23 nutrients was determined and the percent of subjects who met the recommendations for the nutrients were computed. The data of FI were deattenuated considering the within-person variability and adjusted for energy. The intake of energy and some nutrients were significantly different between men and women. EI did not differ between seasons, for both sexes, but the intake of macro and micronutrients was different. The results of this study suggest that the seasonality in the measurement of FI should be considered in order to improve the methods and instruments used in population dietary surveys.

Reprodutibilidade e validade de um questionário de frequência alimentar por grupos de alimentos, em adultos da Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre, Brasil / Reproducibility and validity of a food frequency questionnaire based on food groups, in adult population of the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Testar reprodutibilidade e validade por grupos de alimentos de um questionário de frequência alimentar, desenvolvido para indivíduos adultos residentes no Sul do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Dois questionários de frequência alimentar e três inquéritos recordatórios de 24 horas foram aplicados a 128 participantes, com idade entre 20 e 69 anos. Os alimentos foram agrupados em 19 grupos previamente definidos. As análises foram realizadas com dados brutos e corrigidos pela energia. RESULTADOS: Apenas nas estimativas de ingestão dos grupos de folhosos e de leguminosas observaram-se diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os dois questionários de frequência alimentar. Os coeficientes de correlação, corrigidos pela energia, entre os questionários variaram de 0,53 (embutidos e presuntos) a 0,85 (bebidas alcoólicas e leite e derivados light). Quanto à validade, ambos os questionários produziram tanto estimativas de ingestão mais altas como mais baixas do que a média dos inquéritos recordatórios de 24 horas. O coeficiente de correlação médio entre cada questionário e os inquéritos recordatórios de 24 horas foi de 0,39 para o questionário de frequência alimentar 1, e de 0,40 para o questionário de frequência alimentar 2. Os coeficientes de correlação foram iguais ou maiores que 0,40 para 9 grupos alimentares no questionário de frequência alimentar 1, e para 11 grupos no questionário de frequência alimentar 2. Os percentuais médios de classificação no mesmo terço, pelos dois métodos, foram 49% para o questionário de frequência alimentar 1, e 48% para o questionário de frequência alimentar 2. Os valores de Kappa ponderado variaram de -0,04 (bebidas não-alcoólicas) a 0,69 (leite e derivados light), considerando ambos os questionários. CONCLUSÃO: O questionário de frequência alimentar baseado em grupos de alimentos representa uma boa alternativa para avaliar o hábito alimentar, com a vantagem de ter uma lista reduzida de itens alimentares.

OBJECTIVE: To test reproducibility and validity of a food frequency questionnaire based in food groups developed for adults living in Southern Brazil. METHODS: Two food frequency questionnaire (food frequency questionnaire 1 and food frequency questionnaire 2) and three 24-hour dietary recalls (24h-R) were applied to 128 participants (20-69 years). The foods were grouped in 19 groups previously defined. Analyses were performed for crude data and adjusted for energy. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in the estimates of intake between two food frequency questionnaire were observed for the group of leafy vegetables and legumes. The energy-adjusted correlation coefficients between questionnaires ranged from 0.53 (sausages and hams) to 0.85 (alcoholic beverages and low-fat dairy). As to the validity, both questionnaires showed higher and lower estimates of intake in relation to 24-hour dietary recalls. The mean correlation coefficient between each food frequency questionnaire and 24h-R was 0.39 (food frequency questionnaire 1) and 0.40 (food frequency questionnaire 2). The correlation coefficients were equal to or greater than 0.40 for nine food groups in the food frequency questionnaire 1 and for eleven food groups in the food frequency questionnaire 2. The average classification percentages in the same tertile, by the two methods, were 49% (food frequency questionnaire 1) and 48% (food frequency questionnaire 2). The weighted kappa values ranged from -0.04 (non-alcoholic beverages) to 0.69 (milk and light derived) for both food frequency questionnaire. CONCLUSION: This food frequency questionnaire based food group represents a good alternative for assessing the food habits, with the advantage of having a short list of food items.

Development of a food frequency questionnaire in a probabilistic sample of adults from Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

With the purpose of generating a list of foods for a food-frequency questionnaire, data from 24h dietary recalls on a typical day from a probabilistic sample of 1,724 adults of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed. The frequency of food intake, the total intake of energy and macronutrients and the relative contribution of each food item to total energy and macronutrient intake were calculated. The most frequently reported food items (> 50% of adults) were rice, coffee, beans, refined canesugar, and bread. Whole milk was consumed more frequently then skimmed milk or semi-skimmed milk. Beef was consumed by more adults than chicken, pork or fish. Approximately 90% of energy and macronutrients intake was explained by 65 food items. The list of food items generated in the present analysis is similar to those found in other samples of adults from urban areas in Brazil. It may be possible to generate a core list of common foods with addition of regional foods to be used nationally in urban areas of the country.

Development of a food frequency questionnaire in a probabilistic sample of adults from Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Desenvolvimento de questionário de freqüência alimentar em amostra probabilística de adultos de Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

With the purpose of generating a list of foods for a food-frequency questionnaire, data from 24h dietary recalls on a typical day from a probabilistic sample of 1,724 adults of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed. The frequency of food intake, the total intake of energy and macronutrients and the relative contribution of each food item to total energy and macronutrient intake were calculated. The most frequently reported food items (> 50 percent of adults) were rice, coffee, beans, refined canesugar, and bread. Whole milk was consumed more frequently then skimmed milk or semi-skimmed milk. Beef was consumed by more adults than chicken, pork or fish. Approximately 90 percent of energy and macronutrients intake was explained by 65 food items. The list of food items generated in the present analysis is similar to those found in other samples of adults from urban areas in Brazil. It may be possible to generate a core list of common foods with addition of regional foods to be used nationally in urban areas of the country.

Com o objetivo de gerar uma lista de alimentos para questionário de freqüência alimentar (QFA), avaliou-se dados de recordatório alimentar de 24 horas de um dia típico em uma amostra probabilística de adultos, obtidos num inquérito domiciliar durante o ano de 2003. Verificou-se a freqüência dos alimentos ingeridos, calculou-se o total ingerido de energia e macronutrientes e a contribuição relativa de cada item alimentar no total de energia ou macronutrientes ingeridos. Os dados foram ponderados para representar a população adulta de Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Os alimentos mais ingeridos pelos adultos (> 50 por cento) foram arroz branco, café, feijão, açúcar refinado e pão francês. Um total de 65 alimentos é capaz de explicar aproximadamente 90 por cento da ingestão de energia e macronutrientes. A lista de alimentos gerada se assemelha a de outros estudos em amostras de adultos vivendo em regiões urbanas nacionais, e precisa ser validada em outras áreas urbanas do país. É possível que seja gerada uma lista de alimentos comuns, com inclusões de alimentos regionais para ser universalmente usada em QFA nas áreas urbanas do país.

Can living in the surroundings of a petrochemical complex be a risk factor for autoimmune thyroid disease?

BACKGROUND: Based on a suspicion raised by a health professional and due to a subsequent legal request, a cross-sectional study was made with a comparison group to investigate a possible excess of Hashimoto's thyroiditis-HT and antibodies-ATA in the surroundings of a Petrochemical Complex. METHODS: People of both sexes aged over 20 years were investigated in a random sample of residents in the area surrounding the Petrochemical Complex. Controls were investigated in an area with steel industries. In the areas searched, participants were chosen randomly and stratified a priori by sex and age group. As a result, 90.5% of the expected sample was obtained, totaling 1533 individuals. HT and ATA prevalences were compared by the chi-square test. Logistic regression was used to control the possible confounding factors for HT and ATA. RESULTS: Both TH (9.3%) and ATA (17.6%) prevalences were higher in the Petrochemical Complex area than in the control area (3.9% and 10.3%, respectively). After controlling the possible confounding factors, the POR for living in the surroundings of the Complex and presenting HT was 2.39 (CI95%: 1.42-4.03). According to the ATA criterion, the POR for living in the surroundings of the Complex was 1.78 (CI95%: 1.23-2.60). CONCLUSIONS: The authors have found higher prevalence and risk of developing thyroiditis and anti-thyroid antibodies among residents of areas surrounding the Petrochemical Complex and think these findings need to be further studied in similar areas.