RESUMEN
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Cerebrovascular disease is one of the most important causes of death and disability worldwide. The patient's inability to identify the warning signs of stroke substantially delays the search for emergency services, which is related directly to a worse outcome. Thus, during the 2011 Stroke Campaign in Brazil, a survey was conducted to identify the lay population's knowledge with regard to the recognition, treatment, and prevention of stroke. DESIGN AND SETTING: This retrospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study was held in cities throughout southeastern Brazil. METHODS: The campaign was conducted by students of several medical schools under the guidance of neurologists (assistants and professors). The students traveled to various public areas in Sao Paulo, Campinas, Sorocaba, Taubaté, and Pouso Alegre, where information about stroke was distributed and a specific questionnaire was administered. RESULTS: A total of 1304 people answered the questionnaire: 43.9% claimed to know what a stroke was, 65% knew someone who has had the disease, 35% knew > 3 risk factors for stroke, and 28.8% knew a preventive measure. Further, 17.9% was able to list at least 3 signs or symptoms of a stroke, 33.6% was aware that they should activate the emergency service, and 3.1% would have checked the time at which the signs and symptoms had developed. CONCLUSION: Despite the severity of stroke, the population that we analyzed has a low level of knowledge. Campaigns should increase the lay population's understanding of this disease, thus improving its prevention and treatment and contributing to public health politics.
RESUMEN
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between glucose levels and intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuation in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Seventeen nondiabetic and 20 diabetic subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, capillary glucose testing, and applanation tonometry in two distinct situations: first, fasting for at least 8 hours and, second, postprandial measurements. Baseline glucose levels were higher in diabetic patients (P < 0.001). Postprandial IOP was significantly higher than baseline IOP in diabetic (P < 0.001) and nondiabetic patients (P = 0.006). Postprandial glucose levels were significantly higher than baseline measurements in both diabetic (P = 0.005) and nondiabetic patients (P = 0.015). There was a significant association between glucose levels variation and IOP change in both diabetic patients (R (2) = 0.540; P < 0.001) and nondiabetic individuals (R (2) = 0.291; P = 0.025). There is also a significant association between the baseline glucose levels and IOP change in diabetic group (R (2) = 0.445; P = 0.001). In a multivariable model, the magnitude of glucose level change remained significantly associated with IOP variation even including age, baseline IOP, ancestry, and gender as a confounding factor (P < 0.001). We concluded that there is a significant association between blood glucose levels and IOP variation, especially in diabetic patients.