Association between arteriovenous fistulae and hematomas in a dialysis center in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by slow, progressive, and irreversible loss of kidney function. CKD has become a serious public health issue because of its increasing morbidity and mortality rates. The present study aimed to investigate factors associated with hematomas caused by arteriovenous fistula (AVF) at a Renal Replacement Therapy Unit in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 72 patients with CKD aged 18 years or over, presenting with AVF, and undergoing three hemodialysis sessions per week were evaluated from June 2014 to March 2015. Prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated for identification of risk factors associated with AVF. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Sex, age, self-reported skin color, educational level, hypertension, diabetes, nephrotic syndrome, congestive heart failure, and hepatitis C were not associated with hematoma formation (i.e., all estimated PRs had p-values > 0.05). The single factor associated with hematomas was AVF time shorter than 60 days (PR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.28-3.27; p < 0.01). Conclusion: AVF maturation time was associated with higher prevalence of hematomas at the cannulation site. Therefore, AVF time should be given special attention in patients undergoing renal therapy at dialysis centers. (AU)

Risk factors for hepatitis B transmission in South Brazil

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem in Brazil. Several risk factors are involved in HBV infection and their identification by a rational and essential approach is required to prevent the transmission of this infection in Brazil. OBJECTIVES To evaluate risk factors associated with HBV infection in South Brazil. METHODS A total of 260 patients with HBV and 260 controls from Caxias do Sul (state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) participated in this study. All participants were given a standard questionnaire to yield the sociodemographic information and to identify HBV risk factors. HBV infection was detected by HBsAg test in all participants. FINDINGS HBV infection in these cases was strongly associated with history of a family member HBV-infected, mainly mother [odds ratio (OR) = 4.86; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.69-13.91], father (OR = 5.28; 95% CI: 1.58-17.71), and/or siblings (OR = 22.16; 95% CI: 9.39-52.25); sharing personal objects (OR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.37-2.38); and having history of blood transfusion (OR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.10-2.84). CONCLUSIONS HBV infection was strongly associated with having a family member infected with hepatitis B, sharing personal objects, and having history of blood transfusion.