Favorable Impact of Community Adherence Support Groups on Retention in Care and Viral Suppression Rates Among Persons with HIV Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Mozambique.

The community adherence support group (CASG) was one of the first differentiated service delivery (DSD) models introduced in Mozambique. This study assessed the impact of this model on retention in care, loss to follow-up (LTFU), and viral suppression among antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated adults in Mozambique. A retrospective cohort study included CASG-eligible adults enrolled between April 2012 and October 2017 at 123 health facilities in Zambézia Province. Propensity score matching (1:1 ratio) was used to allocate CASG members and those who never enrolled in a CASG. Logistic regressions were performed to estimate the impact of CASG membership on 6- and 12-month retention and viral load (VL) suppression. Cox proportional regression was used to model differences in LTFU. Data from 26,858 patients were included. The median age at CASG eligibility was 32 years and 75% were female, with 84% residing in rural areas. A total of 93% and 90% of CASG members were retained in care at 6 and 12 months, respectively, while 77% and 66% non-CASG members were retained during the same periods. The odds of being retained in care at 6 and 12 months were significantly higher among patients receiving ART through CASG support (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.19 [95% confidence interval; CI: 3.79-4.63], p < .001, and aOR = 4.43 [95% CI: 4.01-4.90], p < .001, respectively). Among 7,674 patients with available VL measurements, the odds of being virally suppressed were higher among CASG members (aOR = 1.14 [95% CI: 1.02-1.28], p < .001). Non-CASG members had a significantly higher likelihood of being LTFU (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.45 [95% CI: 3.20-3.73], p < .001). While Mozambique rapidly scales up multi-month drug dispensation as the preferred DSD model, this study emphasizes the continued importance of CASG as an efficacious DSD alternative, especially among patients residing in rural areas, where CASG acceptability is higher.

Translation and validation of a questionnaire on the impact of strabismus on the quality of life of patients / Tradução e validação de um questionário sobre impacto na qualidade de vida em pacientes com estrabismo

ABSTRACT Objective: To translate and validate the Adult Strabismus Quality of Life Questionnaire into Brazilian Portuguese. Methods: A cross-sectional study for linguistic and cross-cultural validation of the Adult Strabismus Quality of Life Questionnaire in order to assess the quality of life in patients with strabismus. We have followed previous published guidelines on translation process to ensure the equivalence between the original and translated versions. The final version was applied in a pilot study to evaluate concordance and its reliability and reproducibility as a tool to be used in future studies. Results: The translation and counter translation processes of the Adult Strabismus Quality of Life Questionnaire were conducted according to preestablished protocols. The analysis of the results obtained in the test-retest application of the questionnaire in a sample of 30 participants revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.67, which was deemed satisfactory for the validation process of this tool. Conclusion: The Adult Strabismus Quality of Life Questionnaire was translated and validated according to preestablished protocols. The referred questionnaire has been used in studies worldwide, so this process will enable its application to better understand the impact of strabismus in patients' quality of life in the Brazilian population.

RESUMO Objetivo: Traduzir e validar o questionário Adult Strabismus Quality of Life Questionnaire (AS-20) para o português brasileiro. Métodos: Estudo transversal para validação linguística e transcultural do questionário Adult Strabismus Quality of Life Questionnaire (AS-20) para avaliação da qualidade de vida em pacientes com estrabismo. Foram seguidas as diretrizes já publicadas sobre o processo de tradução, para garantir a equivalência entre as versões original e traduzida. A versão final foi aplicada em um estudo-piloto para avaliar a concordância e sua confiabilidade e reprodutibilidade, como ferramenta a ser utilizada em estudos futuros. Resultados: Os processos de tradução e contratradução do questionário Adult Strabismus Quality of Life Questionnaire (AS-20) foram realizados de acordo com protocolos preestabelecidos. A análise dos resultados obtidos na aplicação teste-reteste do questionário em uma amostra de 30 participantes revelou coeficiente de correlação de 0,67, que foi considerado satisfatório para o processo de validação desse instrumento. Conclusão: O questionário Adult Strabismus Quality of Life Questionnaire (AS-20) foi traduzido e validado de acordo com protocolos preestabelecidos. O referido questionário vem sendo utilizado em estudos ao redor do mundo e, portanto, esse processo possibilitará sua aplicação para melhor compreensão do impacto do estrabismo na qualidade de vida dos pacientes da população brasileira.

Favorable Impact of Community Adherence Support Groups on Retention in Care and Viral Suppression Rates Among Persons with HIV Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Mozambique

The community adherence support group (CASG) was one of the first differentiated service delivery (DSD) models introduced in Mozambique. This study assessed the impact of this model on retention in care, loss to follow-up (LTFU), and viral suppression among antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated adults in Mozambique. A retrospective cohort study included CASG-eligible adults enrolled between April 2012 and October 2017 at 123 health facilities in Zambézia Province. Propensity score matching (1:1 ratio) was used to allocate CASG members and those who never enrolled in a CASG. Logistic regressions were performed to estimate the impact of CASG membership on 6- and 12-month retention and viral load (VL) suppression. Cox proportional regression was used to model differences in LTFU. Data from 26,858 patients were included. The median age at CASG eligibility was 32 years and 75% were female, with 84% residing in rural areas. A total of 93% and 90% of CASG members were retained in care at 6 and 12 months, respectively, while 77% and 66% non-CASG members were retained during the same periods. The odds of being retained in care at 6 and 12 months were significantly higher among patients receiving ART through CASG support (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.19 [95% confidence interval; CI: 3.79-4.63], p < .001, and aOR = 4.43 [95% CI: 4.01-4.90], p < .001, respectively). Among 7,674 patients with available VL measurements, the odds of being virally suppressed were higher among CASG members (aOR = 1.14 [95% CI: 1.02-1.28], p < .001). Non-CASG members had a significantly higher likelihood of being LTFU (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.45 [95% CI: 3.20-3.73], p < .001). While Mozambique rapidly scales up multi-month drug dispensation as the preferred DSD model, this study emphasizes the continued importance of CASG as an efficacious DSD alternative, especially among patients residing in rural areas, where CASG acceptability is higher.

Efectos de la Nitréndipina Vs. Captopril sobre la hipertensión leve: estudio comparativo

Se estudiaron 40 pacientes con hipertensión diastólica entre 95-115 mmsHg de la Clínica de Hipertensión del Instituto Dominicano de Cardiología y se realizó un estudio abierto, prospectivo y comparativo. Se establecieron los efectos de diferentes dosis del antagonista de Calcio Nitrendipina y se compararon con el Captopril, un conocido inhibidor de ECA; también se establecieron efectos con la combinación de Propranolol en aquellos pacientes que no respondieron a las dosis maximas de ambos medicamentos. La Nitrendipina disminuyó significativamente la TA sistólica en el primer mes de tratamiento, a la dosis de 20 mg OID (PL 0.0001). el Captopril también redujo signficativamente la TA arterial pero; cuantitativamente la Nitrendipina fue más efectiva, ya que el promedio de reducción de la TA diastólica fue 10 mm en tanto que con el Captopril fue de 4 mms. Teniendo como criterio una reducción de 90 mms la distólica, la Nitrendipina disminuyó la TA arterial en el 73% con las dosis máximas de ambos medicamentos). El comportamiento de la frecuencia cardíaca fue muy similar con ambos fármacos y las variaciones no fueron significativas. El Captopril fue muy bien tolerado y no hubo efectos atribuibles al fármaco. La Nitredipona produjo ademas en un 11% así como aumento de la diuresis en el mismo %. Las cefaleas se presentaron en la misma proporción en el grupo placebo Vs Nitrendipina

Efectos antilipidémicos de un preparado de aceite de hígado de bacalao en 40 pacientes con dislipidemias

Estudiamos el efecto de un preparado nacional de aceite de hígado de bacalao a dosis de 14G. por día, en 40 pacientes con dislipidemias, y comparamos con un placebo en un estudio simple ciego abierto durante dos meses de tratamiento. El efecto sobre los lípidos plasmáticos se documentó luego de un mes de una dieta estándard tipo II de la AHA. El colesterol disminuyó en el grupo tratado solamente en 3%, en tanto que los triglicéridos se redujeron en un 28%. El colesteroL HDL aumentó 15% con el tratamiento. Estos resultados se obtuvieron luego dela reducción que produjo la administración de la dieta, la cual también provocó disminuciones que variaron entre un 6-15% para el colestero y los triglicéridos respectivamente. La tolerancia al preparado administrado en forma de suspensión fue excelente en la mayoría de los pacientes