Association beteeen smoking, crack cocaine abus and the discontinuation of commbination antiretroviral therapy in recife, pernambuco, Brazil / Associacao entre tabagismo e o uso de crack com a descontinuidade da terapia antirretroviral combinada em Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil

Despite the effectiveness of combination antiretroviral therapy in the treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), nonadherence to medication has become a major threat to its effectiveness. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported irregular use of antiretroviral therapy and the factors associated with such an irregularity in PLWHA. A cross-sectional study of PLWHA who attended two referral centers in the city of Recife, in Northeastern Brazil, between June 2007 and October 2009 was carried out. The study analyzed socioeconomic factors, social service support and personal habits associated with nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy, adjusted by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of PLWHA who reported irregular use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) was 25.7%. In the final multivariate model, the irregular use of cART was associated with the following variables: being aged less than 40 years (OR = 1.66, 95%-CI: 1.29-2.13), current smokers (OR = 1.76, 95%-CI: 1.31-2.37) or former smokers (OR = 1.43, 95%-CI: 1.05-1.95), and crack cocaine users (OR = 2.79, 95%-CI: 1.24-6.32). Special measures should be directed towards each of the following groups: individuals aged less than 40 years, smokers, former smokers and crack cocaine users. Measures for giving up smoking and crack cocaine should be incorporated into HIV-control programs in order to promote greater adherence to antiretroviral drugs and thus improve the quality of life and prolong life expectancy.

Apesar da eficácia da terapêutica antirretroviral combinada para o tratamento de pessoas vivendo com HIV/Aids, a não adesão aos medicamentos tem se tornado uma das maiores ameaças à efetividade dessa terapêutica. O objetivo desse estudo foi estimar a prevalência de uso irregular autorreferido da terapia antirretroviral e os fatores associados com essa irregularidade em pessoas vivendo com HIV. Foi realizado um estudo seccional de pessoas vivendo com HIV/Aids atendidas em dois centros de referência no Recife, Nordeste do Brasil, entre junho 2007 e outubro de 2009. Foram analisados os fatores socioeconômicos, de apoio social e de hábitos do indivíduo, ajustados através de análise de regressão logística multivariada. A prevalência de pessoas vivendo com HIV/Aids que relataram o uso irregular da terapia antirretroviral combinada (TARC) foi de 25,7%. No modelo multivariado final, o uso irregular da TARC esteve associado às seguintes variáveis: ter menos de 40 anos (OR = 1,66, IC95%: 1,29-2,13), fumantes (OR = 1,76, IC95%: 1,31-2,37) ou ex-fumantes (OR = 1,43, IC95%: 1,05-1,95) e ser usuário de crack (OR = 2,79, IC95%: 1,24-6,32). Medidas especiais devem ser direcionadas para cada um dos seguintes grupos: adultos com menos de 40 anos, fumantes, ex-fumantes e usuários de crack. Ações voltadas para a cessação do tabagismo e do crack devem ser incorporadas ao programa de controle dos infectados pelo HIV, visando promover a maior adesão aos antirretrovirais e, consequentemente, aumentar a expectativa e a qualidade de vida.

Primary resistance of HIV to antiretrovirals among individuals recently diagnosed at voluntary counselling and testing centres in the metropolitan region of Recife, Pernambuco

Determining the prevalence and type of antiretroviral (ARV) resistance among ARV-naïve individuals is important to assess the potential responses of these individuals to first-line regimens. The prevalence of primary resistance and the occurrence of recent infections among individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) were identified among recently diagnosed patients at five sexually transmitted disease/AIDS testing and counselling centres in the metropolitan region of Recife (RMR), Pernambuco, Brazil, between 2007-2009. One-hundred and eight samples were analysed using the Calypte® BED assay. Males predominated (56%), as did patients aged 31-50 years. Twenty-three percent presented evidence of a recent HIV infection. The median CD4+ T lymphocyte count was 408 cells/mm³ and the median viral load was 3.683 copies/mL. The prevalence of primary resistance was 4.6% (confidence interval 95% = 1-8.2%) based on criteria that excluded common polymorphisms in accordance with the surveillance drug resistance mutation criteria. The prevalence of resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase, nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitors were 3.8%, 1.5% and 0.8%, respectively. Fifty-seven percent of strains were from clade B, 37.7% were clade F and 3.1% were clade C; there were no statistically significant differences with respect to resistance between clades. Recent infection tended to be more common in men (p = 0.06) and in municipalities in the south of the RMR (Jaboatão dos Guararapes and Cabo de Santo Agostinho) (p = 0.046). The high prevalence of recent infection and the high prevalence of non-B strains in this poor Brazilian region merit further attention.

Recent HIV infection rates among HIV positive patients seeking voluntary counseling and testing centers in the metropolitan region of Recife - Pe, Brazil

The BED capture enzyme immunoassay test makes it possible to determine whether individuals were recently infected with HIV. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the overall HIV and recent infections prevalences were determined at five Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) centers, in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Northeastern of Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among users of five VCTs in the metropolitan region of Recife between July 2007 and April 2009. Out of the individuals who tested positive for HIV, 169 were analyzed to assess the prevalence of recent infection by means of the BED-CEIA (BED-Calypte®). RESULTS: Out of 46,696 individuals tested 916 (1.96%) turned out positive for HIV infection The highest prevalence was in Recife (3.9%). The prevalence was higher among males (3.93%), and men who have sex with men (MSM) (12.4%). The frequency of recent infections among the 169 subjects evaluated was 23.7%. Recent infections were more common among individuals under 25 years of age. There was slight predominance of men and higher frequency of heterosexuals in both groups, but still a significant portion of MSM (33%). Subtype B predominated, followed by a high proportion of subtype F. CONCLUSIONS: Recent infection occurs mainly among young individuals and heterosexuals, despite a significant proportion of recent infection among MSM. These results suggest that preventive actions aimed at the MSM community remains a challenge and efforts focusing this group should continue to be a priority.

Angina pectoris in patients with HIV/AIDS: prevalence and risk factors

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of ischemic heart disease is higher in patients with HIV/AIDS. However, the frequency of angina pectoris in these patients is still not known. Literature about this subject is still scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of angina pectoris and risk factors for coronary disease and to examine the association between traditional risk factors and HIV-related risk factors and angina pectoris. METHOD: An epidemiological cross-sectional study, analyzed as case-control study, involving 584 patients with HIV/AIDS. Angina pectoris was identified by Rose questionnaire, classified as definite or possible. Information regarding risk factors was obtained through a questionnaire, biochemical laboratory tests, medical records and anthropometric measures taken during consultations at AIDS treatment clinics in Pernambuco, Brazil, from June 2007 to February 2008. To adjust the effect of each factor in relation to others, multiple logistic regression was used. RESULTS: There was a preponderance of men (63.2 percent); mean ages were 39.8 years for men, 36.8 years for women. The prevalence of definite and possible angina were 11 percent and 9.4 percent, respectively, totaling 20.4 percent, with independent associations between angina and smoking (OR = 2.88; 95 percent CI: 1.69-4.90), obesity (OR = 1.62; 95 percent CI: 0.97-2.70), family history of heart attack (OR = 1.70; 95 percent CI: 1.00-2.88), low schooling (OR = 2.11; 95 percent CI: 1.24-3.59), and low monthly income (OR = 2.93; 95 percent CI: 1.18-7.22), even after adjustment for age. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that angina pectoris is underdiagnosed, even in patients with medical monitoring, revealing lost opportunities in identification and prevention of cardiovascular morbidity.

Frequency and types of human papillomavirus among pregnant and non-pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Recife determined by genotyping

Women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection present a higher risk of infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. To determine HPV genotypes and frequencies among HIV-positive women, an analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on 147 women (51 were pregnant and HIV-positive, 45 pregnant and HIV-negative and 51 HIV-positive and not pregnant), who were attended at a maternity hospital in Recife between April 2006-May 2007. They answered a questionnaire and underwent a gynaecological examination, with samples collected for HPV investigation by PCR, hybrid capture II, oncotic colpocytology (Papanicolau) and colposcopy. The frequency of HPV DNA was 85.3 percent (122/143), with a high proportion of HPV types that have been identified as high risk for cervical cancer. Among HIV-positive pregnant women, there was an HPV prevalence of 96 percent (48/50), of whom 60.4 percent (29/48) were high-risk. HPV 16, 58, 18, 66 and 31 were the most frequent types. Colpocytological abnormalities were observed in 35.3 percent (18/51) of HIV-positive non-pregnant women, 21.6 percent (11/51) of HIV-positive pregnant women and 13.3 percent (6/45) of HIV-negative pregnant women with a predominance of low-level lesions. A high prevalence of HPV infection was identified, especially with the high-risk types 16, 58, 18 and 66. This study identified high-risk HPV types in all three groups examined (HIV-positive pregnant women, HIV-negative pregnant women and HIV-positive not pregnant), characterising its distribution in this setting.

Fatores de risco associados à mortalidade em pacientes com sepse em unidade de terapia intensiva de hospital privado de Pernambuco / Risk factors associated to mortality on septic patients in an intensive care unit of a general private hospital from Pernambuco

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Verificar a associação entre as características clínicas, epidemiológicas e laboratoriais com a mortalidade de pacientes com sepse, internados em UTI de hospital privado do estado de Pernambuco (Nordeste do Brasil), a fim de melhorar o atendimento a essa população, através da identificação precoce dos pacientes com risco de desenvolver falência de órgãos. MÉTODO: Estudo de caso-controle aninhado a uma coorte prospectiva e observacional que incluiu os pacientes adultos admitidos na UTI com sepse ou que a desenvolveram durante a internação. Foram colhidos os dados epidemiológicos, avaliados os escores clínicos e exames laboratoriais como: D-dímero, antitrombina III, INR, contagem de plaquetas, sódio, albumina, lactato e creatinina, sendo analisada sua associação com a mortalidade. Os pacientes foram acompanhados até a alta da UTI ou óbito. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 199 pacientes. Após regressão logística, apenas o tempo de internação na UTI maior que 72h, a presença de doença crônica associada, o número de órgãos acometidos superior a três e o lactato maior que 4 mmol/L estiveram associados com a mortalidade. Com relação à associação com o intervalo de tempo para o óbito, apenas o escore SOFA foi significativo, pois um terço dos pacientes com pontuação superior a 12 foram a óbito em menos de 72h. CONCLUSÕES: Os pacientes admitidos com sepse na UTI provenientes da comunidade (tempo de internação hospitalar < 72 horas) apresentaram melhor prognóstico, os pacientes com maior número de órgãos com disfunção apresentaram risco de óbito mais elevado. Laboratorialmente apenas o lactato elevado esteve associado com a mortalidade.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Verify the association between clinical, epidemiological and laboratorial characteristics with mortality of septic patient in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from Pernambuco, northeast of Brazil, to improve the attention for patients with sepse which are in risk of developing organ dysfunction. METHODS: Case-control study, without intervention, that included adults' patients admitted in ICU with sepsis or that developed it during ICU stay. RESULTS: It was included 199 patients. After logistic regression, the length of hospital stay more than 72 hours before admission in ICU, evidence of associated co-morbidities, more than three organ failures, and lactate more than 4 mmol/L were associated with mortality. The SOFA score with more than 12 points was associated with precocity mortality (< 72hours). CONCLUSIONS: The septic patients admitted ICU with less than 72h of hospital stay have a better prognosis, and those with a great number of organ failure, and co-morbidities have a superior mortality rate. Between laboratory results, only the high concentration of lactate is associated with mortality.

Primary resistance of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in a reference center in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

To assess the prevalence of primary resistance of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to antiretrovirals, 84 patients chronically infected with HIV without prior antiretroviral treatment from Northeast Brazil were studied. Genotyping was performed using the ViroSeqTM Genotyping System. Thimidine analog mutations occurred in 3 (3.6 percent) patients. Accessory mutations related to NRTI occurred in 6 (7.1 percent) and related to PI in 67 (79.8 percent). Subtypes B (72.6 percent), F (22.6 percent), B/F 3 (3.6 percent), and C (1.2 percent) were detected. A low prevalence of major mutations related to NRTI in patients chronically infected by HIV was observed.

Características da população com sepse em unidade de terapia intensiva de hospital terciário e privado da cidade do Recife / Characteristics of septic patients in an intensive care unit of a tertiary private hospital from Recife, northeast of Brazil

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Determinar as características clínicas, epidemiológicas e laboratoriais, bem como a mortalidade dos pacientes adultos com sepse, admitidos na UTI geral de hospital privado terciário do estado de Pernambuco. MÉTODO: Estudo tipo coorte prospectiva e observacional, que incluiu pacientes adultos admitidos com o diagnóstico de sepse ou que a desenvolveram durante a internação na UTI do Hospital Português de Recife durante o período de seis meses. Foram colhidos dados clínicos e laboratoriais, bem como, calculados os escores APACHE II e SOFA, sendo os pacientes re-avaliados ao final da internação para definir o desfecho clínico, ou seja, para alta, óbito, ou transferência da UTI. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 199 pacientes, dos quais 112 (56,3 por cento) tiveram alta da UTI. Cerca de 67,8 por cento da população foi composta por idosos (maiores de 65 anos), a média do APACHE II foi de 18,2 ± 6,3 e a média do SOFA no primeiro dia foi de 6,3 ± 3,7. O motivo da internação foi clínico em 85,4 por cento dos casos e em 76,4 por cento dos pacientes existia doença crônica associada. A sepse foi de origem pulmonar em 79,3 por cento dos casos e 40 por cento dos pacientes tiveram o agente etiológico isolado. Observou-se plaquetopenia (plaquetas < 100.000/mm³) em 20,6 por cento dos pacientes, o INR > 1,5 em 42 por cento, o fibrinogênio > 300 mg/dL em 81,7 por cento e a atividade da antitrombina < 70 por cento em 32,5 por cento dos casos. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados epidemiológicos de sepse nesse estudo são semelhantes àqueles recentemente descritos em populações no Sul e Sudeste do Brasil, bem como dos Estados Unidos e Europa.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Establish the clinical, epidemiological and laboratorial characteristics of septic patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care private hospital from Pernambuco, in the northeast of Brazil. METHODS: Cohort study without intervention that included adult patients admitted in the ICU with sepsis or that developed it during ICU stay, during a 6-month period. The patients were followed during all ICU stay period. Laboratory and clinical data were collected after sepsis diagnosis. ICU admission APACHE II score and the SOFA score during the three first days after inclusion in the study were collected. RESULTS: The study included 199 patients, of whom 67.8 percent were older than 65 years of age. More than a half (56.3 percent) survived the septic episode, mean APACHE II was 18.2 ± 6.3 and mean SOFA score was 6.3 ± 3.7. The disease related to the admission in ICU was medical in 85.4 percent, and the majority of patients had a chronic associated disease. In 79.3 percent the lungs were the source of sepsis and in 40 percent of patients the etiologic agent of sepsis was isolated. Amongst laboratory tests, thrombocytopenia (platelets < 100.000/mm³) was observed on 20.6 percent, fibrinogen was elevated (> 300 mg/dL) on 81.7 percent, and the activity of antithrombin was low (< 70 percent) on 32.5 percent of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiology of sepsis in this study, in a private hospital of Recife, was no different from what was recently described in Southeast and South of Brazil, United States and Europe.