DIRECT COSTS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES: A BRAZILIAN COST-OF-ILLNESS STUDY.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the direct costs of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients treated in a Brazilian public hospital. METHODS: This was an exploratory retrospective cost-of-illness study with quantitative approach, using medical records of patients treated in a public hospital (2012-14), with at least one consultation over a period of 12 months. Data on patient's profile, exams, number of consultations, medications, hospitalizations, and comorbidities were collected. The cost per patient per year (pppy) was calculated as well as the costs related to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values, using thresholds of 7 and 8 percent. RESULTS: Data of 726 patients were collected with mean age of 62 ± 11 years (68.3 percent female). A total of 67.1 percent presented HbA1c > 7 percent and 44.9 percent > 8 percent. The median cost of diabetes was United States dollar (USD) 197 pppy. The median costs of medication were USD 152.49 pppy, while costs of exams and consultations were USD 40.57 pppy and 8.70 pppy, respectively. Thirty-eight patients (4 percent) were hospitalized and presented a median cost of 3,656 per patient per hospitalization with a cost equivalent to 53.1 percent of total expenses. Total costs of patients with HbA1c ≤ 7 percent were lower for this group and also costs of medications and consultations, whereas for patients with HbA1c ≤ 8 percent, only total costs and costs of medications were lower when compared with HbA1c > 8 percent patients. CONCLUSIONS: Medications and hospitalizations were the major contributor of diabetes expenses. Preventing T2DM, or reducing its complications through adequate control, may help avoid the substantial costs related to this disease.

Evaluation of adverse events associated with antiretroviral therapy and the relationship to treatment adherence.

Despite the effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), many adverse events (AEs) are associated with the use of these drugs, thus affecting treatment adherence. The aim of this study was to evaluate AE incidence with the use of HAART and the relationship to treatment adherence. This was a retrospective observational study conducted with patients who experienced serious AEs related to HAART, resulting in the need to change the therapeutic regimen. To calculate adherence, the dates the patients received HAART were used. From January 2009 to December 2011, 168 AE cases associated with antiretroviral drugs were observed. Of the total study population, 58% of the patients were male. The side effects were associated with 12 drugs, of which 58.3% were nucleoside analogues reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). In addition, 16.7% were non-nucleoside reversetranscriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), and 25% were protease inhibitors (PIs). The NRTIs and PIs presented similar numbers of AEs, whereas the NNRTIs resulted in less than 50% of the reported AEs compared to other drug classes. The low adherence observed in patients with severe AEs that force treatment regimen change suggests that the occurrence of side effects could be one of the obstacles affecting the adherence and thus the effectiveness of HAART.

Prognostic Factors, Survival Analyses and the Risk of Second Primary Cancer: A Population-Based Study on Burkitt Lymphoma/Leukemia.

Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia (BL/L) is an aggressive oncohematological disease. This study evaluated the population-based prognosis and survival on BL/L as well as if BL/L behaved as a risk factor for the development of second primary cancers (SPCs) and if other first tumors behaved as risk factors for the occurrence of BL/L as an SPC. A retrospective cohort using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program (2008-2016) was performed. Kaplan-Meier, time-dependent covariate Cox regression and Poisson regression models were conducted. Overall, 3094 patients were included (median, 45 years; IQR, 22-62). The estimated overall survival was 65.4 months (95% CI, 63.6-67.3). Significantly more deaths occurred for older patients, black race, disease at an advanced stage, patients without chemotherapy/surgery and patients who underwent radiotherapy. Hodgkin lymphomas (nodal) (RR, 7.6 (3.9-15.0; p < 0.001)), Kaposi sarcomas (34.0 (16.8-68.9; p < 0.001)), liver tumors (3.4 (1.2-9.3; p = 0.020)) and trachea, mediastinum and other respiratory cancers (15.8 (2.2-113.9; p = 0.006)) behaved as risk factors for the occurrence of BL/L as an SPC. BL/L was a risk factor for the occurrence of SPCs as acute myeloid leukemias (4.6 (2.1-10.4; p < 0.001)), Hodgkin lymphomas (extranodal) (74.3 (10.0-549.8; p < 0.001)) and Kaposi sarcomas (35.1 (12.1-101.4; p < 0.001)). These results may assist the development of diagnostic and clinical recommendations for BL/L.

Second Primary Malignancy after Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A Population-Based Study.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), is now highly curable with treatment approaches that include all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). The high incidence of APL in the Hispanics suggests an association with genetic variants in this population. Information on second primary malignancies (SPMs) in patients with APL is limited. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to interrogate whether the rate of SPMs in patients with APL was associated with ethnicity and/or ATRA treatment. Between 2000 and 2016, 116 cases of SPM were diagnosed among 4019 patients with APL. The mean age at diagnosis of primary APL was 53.9 years (±15.7 years), and the mean age at diagnosis of SPMs was 59.0 years (±14.5 years). Comparisons with 3774 APL survivors who did not develop SPMs revealed that age ≥40 years at diagnosis of APL (p < 0.001) and non-Hispanic white ethnicity (p = 0.025) were associated with SPMs in APL survivors. Salivary gland, liver, and soft tissue malignancies were significantly more common in patients with primary APL than in individuals with non-APL malignancies. A risk analysis comparing patients who had APL with patients who had non-APL AML suggests that SPMs after APL is associated with ATRA treatment. Therefore, patient follow-up after APL should focus on early diagnosis of SPMs.

Local References for Ultrasound-Estimated Fetal Weight Based on 2,211 Singleton Pregnancies in the City of Curitiba, South of Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To develop reference curves of estimated fetal weight for a local population in Curitiba, South of Brazil, and compare them with the curves established for other populations. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted. A reference model for estimated fetal weight was developed using a local sample of 2,211 singleton pregnancies with low risk of growth disorders and well-defined gestational age. This model was compared graphically with the Hadlock and Intergrowth 21st curves. RESULTS: Reference curves for estimated fetal weight were developed for a local population. The coefficient of determination was R2 = 99.11%, indicating that 99.11% of the fetal weight variations were explained by the model. Compared with Hadlock curves, the 50th, 90th, and 97th percentiles in this model were lower, whereas the 10th percentile nearly overlapped, and the 3rd percentile was slightly higher in the proposed model. The percentiles were higher in the proposed model compared with the Intergrowth 21st curves, particularly for the 3rd, 10th, and 50th percentiles. CONCLUSION: We provide a local reference curve for estimated fetal weight. The proposed model was different from other models, and these differences might be due to the use of different populations for model construction.

OBJETIVO: Desenvolver curvas de referência para o peso fetal estimado em uma população de Curitiba, Sul do Brasil, e compará-las com curvas estabelecidas para outras populações. MéTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo observacional, transversal e retrospectivo. Um modelo de referência para o peso fetal estimado foi desenvolvido usando uma amostra local de 2.211 gestações únicas de baixo risco de distúrbios do crescimento e idade gestacional bem definida. Este modelo foi comparado graficamente com as curvas de Hadlock e Intergrowth 21 st. RESULTADOS: As curvas de referência para o peso fetal estimado foram desenvolvidas para uma população local. O coeficiente de determinação foi de R2 = 99,11%, indicando que 99,11% das variações do peso fetal foram explicadas pelo modelo. Em comparação com as curvas de Hadlock, os percentis 50, 90, e 97 neste modelo foram inferiores, enquanto o percentil 10 quase se sobrepôs, e o percentil 3 foi ligeiramente superior no modelo proposto. Os percentis foram maiores no modelo proposto em comparação com as curvas do Intergrowth 21st, particularmente para os percentis 3, 10, e 50. CONCLUSãO: Fornecemos uma curva de referência local para o peso fetal estimado. O modelo proposto foi diferente de outros modelos, e essas diferenças podem ser devido ao uso de diferentes populações para a construção do modelo.

From adrenarche to aging of adrenal zona reticularis: precocious female adrenopause onset.

OBJECTIVE: Adaptive changes in DHEA and sulfated-DHEA (DHEAS) production from adrenal zona reticularis (ZR) have been observed in normal and pathological conditions. Here we used three different cohorts to assess timing differences in DHEAS blood level changes and characterize the relationship between early blood DHEAS reduction and cell number changes in women ZR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DHEAS plasma samples (n = 463) were analyzed in 166 healthy prepubertal girls before pubarche (<9 years) and 324 serum samples from 268 adult females (31.9-83.8 years) without conditions affecting steroidogenesis. Guided by DHEAS blood levels reduction rate, we selected the age range for ZR cell counting using DHEA/DHEAS and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), tumor suppressor and cell stress marker, immunostaining, and hematoxylin stained nuclei of 14 post-mortem adrenal glands. RESULTS: We confirmed that overweight girls exhibited higher and earlier DHEAS levels and no difference was found compared with the average European and South American girls with a similar body mass index (BMI). Adrenopause onset threshold (AOT) defined as DHEAS blood levels <2040 nmol/L was identified in >35% of the females >40 years old and associated with significantly reduced ZR cell number (based on PTEN and hematoxylin signals). ZR cell loss may in part account for lower DHEA/DHEAS expression, but most cells remain alive with lower DHEA/DHEAS biosynthesis. CONCLUSION: The timely relation between significant reduction of blood DHEAS levels and decreased ZR cell number at the beginning of the 40s suggests that adrenopause is an additional burden for a significant number of middle-aged women, and may become an emergent problem associated with further sex steroids reduction during the menopausal transition.

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Children and Adolescents with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Brazil: A Multicentric Retrospective Study.

The survival rates of children with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) range from 60% to 70% in high-income countries. The corresponding rate for Brazilian children with AML who undergo HSCT is unknown. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 114 children with AML who underwent HSCT between 2008 and 2012 at institutions participating in the Brazilian Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Working Group. At transplant, 38% of the children were in first complete remission (CR1), 37% were in CR2, and 25% were in CR3+ or had persistent disease. The donors included 49 matched-related, 59 matched-unrelated, and six haploidentical donors. The most frequent source of cells was bone marrow (69%), followed by the umbilical cord (19%) and peripheral blood (12%). The 4-year overall survival was 47% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30%-57%), and the 4-year progression-free survival was 40% (95% CI 30%-49%). Relapse occurred in 49 patients, at a median of 122 days after HSCT. There were 65 deaths: 40 related to AML, 19 to infection, and six to graft versus host disease. In conclusion, our study suggests that HSCT outcomes for children with AML in CR1 or CR2 are acceptable and that this should be considered in the overall treatment planning for children with AML in Brazil. Therapeutic standardization through the adoption of multicentric protocols and appropriate supportive care treatment will have a significant impact on the results of HSCT for AML in Brazil and possibly in other countries with limited resources.

The Impact of Flt3 Gene Mutations in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A Meta-Analysis.

The association of FLT3 mutations with white blood cell (WBC) counts at diagnosis and early death was studied in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Publications indexed in databases of biomedical literature were analyzed. Potential publication bias was evaluated by analyzing the standard error in funnel plots using the estimated relative risk (RR). Mixed-effect models were used to obtain the consolidated RR. All analyses were conducted using the R statistical software package. We used 24 publications in the final meta-analysis. Of 1005 males and 1376 females included in these 24 publications, 645 had FLT3-ITD (internal tandem duplication) mutations. Information on FLT3-D835 mutations was available in 10 publications for 175 patients. Concurrent occurrence of the two mutations was rare. WBC count at diagnosis was ≥10 × 109/L in 351 patients. For patients with the FLT3-ITD mutation, RR was 0.59 for overall survival (OS) and 1.62 for death during induction. For those with FLT3-D835 mutations, the RR was 0.50 for OS and 1.77 for death during induction. RR for WBC count ≥10 × 109/L was 3.29 and 1.48 for patients with FLT3-ITD and FLT3-D835, respectively. APL patients with FLT3-ITD or FLT3-D835 are more likely to present with elevated WBC counts and poorer prognosis than those without these mutations.

Safety of Biologics Approved for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Autoimmune Diseases: A Disproportionality Analysis from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

INTRODUCTION: The molecular and pharmacological complexity of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs used for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) favors the occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), which should be constantly monitored in post-marketing safety studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify signals of disproportionate reporting (SDR) of clinical relevance related to the use of biologic drugs approved for RA and other autoimmune diseases. METHODS: All suspected ADRs registered in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System between January 2003 and June 2016 were collected. The reporting odds ratio was used as a measure of disproportionality to identify possible SDRs related to biologics. Those involving important medical events and designated medical events (DME) were prioritized. RESULTS: In total, 2602 SDRs were prioritized. The most commonly reported were 'Infections and infestations' (32.2%) and 'Neoplasms benign, malignant, and unspecified' (20.4%), and were mainly related to use of infliximab (25.3%, p < 0.001, and 28.8%, p = 0.002, respectively). Sixty-three signals involving DMEs were identified, most of which were related to rituximab (n = 27), and were mainly due to 'blood disorders'. Amongst the DMEs detected for more than one biologic, 'intestinal perforation' and 'pulmonary fibrosis' were related to most of them. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study highlight possible safety issues associated with biologics, whose relationship should be more thoroughly investigated. Our results contribute to future research on the identification of clinically relevant risks associated with these drugs, and may help contribute to their rational and safe use.

Comparative efficacy and safety of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for chronic myeloid leukaemia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The pharmacotherapy of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is mainly based on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of all TKIs in CML patients. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review with network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), including imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, radotinib and ponatinib. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and SciELo (March 2018). The NMAs were built for six outcomes at 12 months: complete cytogenetic response (CCyR), major cytogenetic response (MCyR), deep molecular response, major molecular response (MMR), complete haematologic response and incidence of serious adverse events. We conducted rank order and surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) analyses. RESULTS: Thirteen RCTs were included (n = 5079 patients). Statistical differences were observed for some comparisons in all outcomes. Imatinib 400 mg was considered the safest drug (SUCRA values of 10.3%) but presented low efficacy. Overall, nilotinib 600 mg was superior to the other TKI in efficacy (SUCRA values of 61.1% for CCyR, 81.0% for MMR, 90.0% for MCyR); however, no data on its safety profile at 12 months were reported. INTERPRETATION: Our results suggest that nilotinib should be upgraded to first-line therapy for CML, although further cost-effectiveness analyses, including the new TKI (i.e., ponatinib, radotinib), are needed.

Quality of life in Brazilian patients with treated or untreated chronic hepatitis C.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple factors negatively affect the quality of life of patients infected with hepatitis C virus. This study aims to evaluate the effect of pharmacological treatment on the quality of life of these individuals. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in two Southern Brazilian centers that used two instruments (a generic and a specific one) for measuring the quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C: the Short Form-36 (SF-36); and the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) for liver disease. We included patients from two centers without any treatment (control group), or receiving medication (peginterferon + ribavirin ± telaprevir or boceprevir, i.e., respectively, dual, and triple therapies). RESULTS: One hundred and forty-seven patients were included. Patients under treatment (n = 86) had a lower score in 7 of the 8 SF-36 domains, with statistical significance (p<0.05) only for the emotional function domain. Patients who were not treated (n = 58) had higher scores in 4 of the 6 (p<0.05) CLDQ domains. A comparison of patients, receiving dual or triple therapies for both questionnaires, was only significant in the Vitality domain from CLDQ. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment can affect the subjective perception of patients regarding quality of life. Due to the complexity of the disease, each patient must be evaluated in multiple dimensions. Thus, the results may be useful for understanding the patient's perceptions during treatment, and it can also serve as a reference for care instructions.

Local references for ultrasound-estimated fetal weight based on 2, 211 singleton pregnancies in the City of Curitiba, south of Brazil / Referências locais para o peso fetal estimado por ultrassom baseado em 2. 211 gestações únicas na cidade de Curitiba, Sul do Brasil

Abstract Objective To develop reference curves of estimated fetal weight for a local population in Curitiba, South of Brazil, and compare them with the curves established for other populations. Methods An observational, cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted. A reference model for estimated fetal weight was developed using a local sample of 2,211 singleton pregnancies with low risk of growth disorders and well-defined gestational age. This model was compared graphically with the Hadlock and Intergrowth 21st curves. Results Reference curves for estimated fetal weight were developed for a local population. The coefficient of determination was R2 = 99.11%, indicating that 99.11% of the fetal weight variations were explained by the model. Compared with Hadlock curves, the 50th, 90th, and 97th percentiles in this model were lower, whereas the 10th percentile nearly overlapped, and the 3rd percentile was slightly higher in the proposed model. The percentiles were higher in the proposed model compared with the Intergrowth 21st curves, particularly for the 3rd, 10th, and 50th percentiles. Conclusion We provide a local reference curve for estimated fetal weight. The proposed model was different from other models, and these differences might be due to the use of different populations for model construction.

Resumo Objetivo Desenvolver curvas de referência para o peso fetal estimado em uma população de Curitiba, Sul do Brasil, e compará-las com curvas estabelecidas para outras populações. Métodos Foi realizado um estudo observacional, transversal e retrospectivo. Um modelo de referência para o peso fetal estimado foi desenvolvido usando uma amostra local de 2.211 gestações únicas de baixo risco de distúrbios do crescimento e idade gestacional bem definida. Este modelo foi comparado graficamente com as curvas de Hadlock e Intergrowth 21st. Resultados As curvas de referência para o peso fetal estimado foram desenvolvidas para uma população local. O coeficiente de determinação foi de R2 = 99,11%, indicando que 99,11% das variações do peso fetal foram explicadas pelo modelo. Em comparação com as curvas de Hadlock, os percentis 50, 90, e 97 neste modelo foram inferiores, enquanto o percentil 10 quase se sobrepôs, e o percentil 3 foi ligeiramente superior no modelo proposto. Os percentis foram maiores no modelo proposto em comparação com as curvas do Intergrowth 21st, particularmente para os percentis 3, 10, e 50. Conclusão Fornecemos uma curva de referência local para o peso fetal estimado. O modelo proposto foi diferente de outros modelos, e essas diferenças podem ser devido ao uso de diferentes populações para a construção do modelo.

Custo da Doença em Pacientes com Carcinoma Mamário Tratados com Tamoxifeno / Cost of the Disease in Patients with Breast Cancer Treated with Tamoxifen / Costo de la Enfermedad en Pacientes com Carcinoma Mamário Tratados com Tamoxifeno

Introdução: A estimativa do Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva para o Brasil, para cada ano do biênio 2018-2019, foi de 59.700 novos casos de câncer de mama, com um risco estimado de 56,33 casos a cada 100 mil mulheres. Em 2014, os gastos públicos com atenção oncológica foram de aproximadamente R$ 2,5 bilhões. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto dos custos diretos médicos em pacientes com carcinoma mamário tratados com tamoxifeno pelo Sistema Único de Saúde. Método: Estudo exploratório de custo da doença, quantitativo, retrospectivo, com caráter de prevalência e de abordagem bottom-up. A coleta dos dados foi realizada no ambulatório de Oncologia do Hospital São Vicente em Curitiba, Paraná. Resultados: A média do custo do tratamento dos pacientes foi R$ 14.497,70 em tratamento neoadjuvante ou adjuvante e de R$ 9.108,60 em tratamento paliativo. Em relação a essas variáveis, o custo do tamoxifeno foi o que mais impactou em relação ao custo total do tratamento, representando mais de 80% deste valor. A média do custo anual gasto com tamoxifeno por paciente foi de R$ 1.947,60. Conclusão: O custo médio do tratamento demonstrou ser alto em relação à média salarial dos brasileiros de R$ 2.110.00 (IBGE-2017). Os custos levantados neste estudo podem auxiliar os gestores de saúde pública em estratégias para racionalização dos gastos, otimização do capital e manutenção do atendimento à população.

Introduction: The estimate of the National Cancer Institute José Alencar Gomes da Silva, for each year of the 2018-2019 biennium in Brazil, was 59,700 new cases of breast cancer, with an estimated risk of 56.33 cases per 100,000 women. In 2014, public expenditures on cancer care were approximately R$ 2.5 billion. Objective: To evaluate the impact of direct medical costs on breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen using the Unified Health System. Method: Prospective, quantitative, retrospective, cost-of-disease study with prevalence and bottom-up approach. Data collection was performed at the Oncology Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital São Vicente in Curitiba, Paraná. Results: The mean cost of the treatment was R$ 14,497.70 for neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment and R$ 9,108.60 for palliative treatment. In relation to these variables, the cost of tamoxifen was the one that most impacted, in relation to the total cost of the treatment, representing more than 80% of this value. The mean annual cost of tamoxifen per patient was R$ 1,947.60. Conclusion: The average cost of treatment was high in relation to the Brazilian average salary of R$ 2,110.00 (IBGE-2017). The costs investigated in this study can help public health managers in strategies to rationalize expenditures, optimize capital and maintain patient care.

Introducción: La estimación del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva para Brasil, para cada año del bienio 2018-2019, fue de 59,700 casos nuevos de cáncer de mama, con un riesgo estimado de 56.33 casos por 100,000 mujeres. En 2014, los gastos públicos con atención oncológica fueron de aproximadamente R $ 2,5 mil millones. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de los costos directos médicos en pacientes con carcinoma mamario tratados con tamoxifeno por el Sistema Único de Salud. Método: Estudio exploratorio de costo de la enfermedad, cuantitativo, retrospectivo, con carácter de prevalencia y de enfoque bottom-up. La recolección de los datos fue realizada en el Ambulatorio de Oncología del Hospital São Vicente en Curitiba, Paraná. Resultados: El promedio del costo del tratamiento de los pacientes fue R$ 14.497,70 en tratamiento neoadyuvante o adyuvante y de R$ 9.108,60 en tratamiento paliativo. En relación a estas variables el costo del tamoxifeno fue el que más impactó en relación al costo total del tratamiento, representando más del 80% de este valor. El promedio del costo anual gastado con tamoxifeno por paciente fue de R$ 1.947,60. Conclusión:El costo promedio del tratamiento demostró ser alto en relación al promedio salarial de los brasileños de R $ 2.110.00 (IBGE-2017). Los costos levantados en este estudio pueden auxiliar a los gestores de salud pública en estrategias para racionalización de los gastos, optimización del capital y mantenimiento de la atención a la población.

The characteristics, clinical manifestations and outcomes of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in the elderly.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) in the elderly and identify the clinical characteristics, mortality and prognostic factors of the infection in these patients. METHODS: This was an observational, retrospective study. Data were collected from the National Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), from the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Only patients 60 years old or more that had laboratory confirmed infections were included. The socio-demographic and clinical variables and outcomes were evaluated to compare mortality rates in the presence or absence of these factors. RESULTS: We included 93 patients in the study, 16.1% of whom died. The symptoms of cough and dyspnea, the use of the antiviral oseltamivir, influenza vaccine and comorbidities influenced the outcomes of cure or death. Chest radiography can aid in diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Although relatively few elderly people were infected, this population presented high lethality that can be justified by the sum of clinical, physical and immunological factors in this population. Treatment with oseltamivir and vaccination against seasonal influenza have significantly reduced rates of hospitalization and mortality.

Economic evaluation of treatments for chronic hepatitis B.

The aim of this study was to conduct a cost-utility study of adefovir, entecavir, interferon alpha, pegylated interferon alpha, lamivudine and tenofovir for chronic hepatitis B in the context of Brazilian Public Health Care System. A systematic review was carried out for efficacy and safety. Another review was performed to collect utility data and transition probabilities between health states. A Markov model was developed in a time horizon of 40 years with annual cycles for three groups of: HBeAg positive, HBeAg negative, and all patients. These strategies were compared to a fourth group that received no treatment. Discount rates of 5% were applied and sensitivity analyses were performed. Tenofovir offered the best cost-utility ratio for the three evaluated models: U$397, U$385 and U$384 (per QALY, respectively, for HBeAg positive, negative, and all patients). All other strategies were completely dominated because they showed higher costs and lower effectiveness than tenofovir. The sequence of cost-utility in the three models was: tenofovir, entecavir, lamivudine, adefovir, telbivudine, pegylated interferon alpha, and interferon alpha. In the sensitivity analysis, adefovir showed lower cost-utility than telbivudine in some situations. The study has some limitations, primarily related to the creation of scenarios and modeling. In this study, tenofovir presented the best cost-utility ratio. The results obtained in this study will be valuable in decision-making and in the review of the clinical protocol, mainly involving the allocation of available resources for health care.

Suporte Social e HIV: Relações Entre Características Clínicas, Sociodemográficas e Adesão ao Tratamento / Social support and HIV: Relationship between Clinical and Sociodemographic Characteristics and Treatment Adherence

RESUMO Este estudo investigou a relação entre suporte social, características sociodemográficas, clínicas e adesão ao Tratamento Antirretroviral (TARV) utilizando o questionário Social Support Inventory for People who are HIV Positive or Have AIDS. Para isso, foram avaliados 119 usuários HIV-positivos - dos quais 53,8% eram homens. Em relação à disponibilidade e satisfação, os valores médios foram de 3,37 (DP=1,00) para o suporte instrumental e 3,48 (DP=1,06) para o suporte emocional. Observaram-se diferenças significativas na disponibilidade e satisfação do suporte social com variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas. Verificou-se que, quanto maior a disponibilidade e a satisfação com o suporte social, maior o OR para a adesão ao tratamento. O desenvolvimento de estratégias de apoio social pode contribuir positivamente para o controle da doença e melhor qualidade de vida dos usuários.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the relationship between social support, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and treatment adherence using the Social Support Inventory for People who are HIV Positive or Have AIDS. Thus, it were evaluated 119 HIV-positive patients, of which 53.8% were men. Regarding the availability and satisfaction mean values were 3.37 (DP=1.00) for the instrumental support and 3.48 (DP=1.06) for emotional support. Significant differences were found in the availability and satisfaction of social support with clinical and sociodemographic variables. It was found that the greater the availability and satisfaction with social support, the greater the OR for adherence to treatment. The development of social support strategies can positively contribute to disease control and better quality of life of HIV-positive patients.

[Factors related to death by the Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in patients treated with oseltamivir]. / Fatores relacionados ao óbito pela Influenza Pandêmica A (H1N1) 2009 em pacientes tratados com Oseltamivir.

This study aimed to identify factors related to death in Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1)2009 in patients treated with Oseltamivir. It is an observational and retrospective study, carried out with data of patients who had presented laboratorial diagnosis of the illness. Data were collected from the notification forms of the disease, belonging to a database of the Ministry of Health. Statistical analysis was performed by chi-square, Student t test and logistic regression, considering significant p values <0,05. The highest mortality was observed in patients aged between 20 and 59 years, low schooling, with the presence of comorbidities, not vaccinated, treated late and had more severe symptoms of infection. The identification of risk factors for death reinforces the need for prevention and early care, especially in the presence of factors that increase the clinical severity of disease.

Comparative efficacy of oral nucleoside or nucleotide analog monotherapy used in chronic hepatitis B: a mixed-treatment comparison meta-analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of nucleoside or nucleotide analog monotherapy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis virus B (HBV) with adefovir dipivoxil, entecavir, lamivudine, telbivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. DESIGN: Mixed-treatment comparison meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled clinical trials. PATIENTS: A total of 3972 adults with a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A systematic review was conducted to search for randomized clinical trials that evaluated the efficacy of nucleoside or nucleotide analogs used as monotherapy. The evaluated outcomes were reduction of HBV DNA levels, normalization of alanine aminotransferase levels, and seroconversion of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). A mixed-treatment comparison was conducted to compare the odds ratios among the treatments and to rank the therapies to determine the optimal treatment option. Tenofovir had the best results among the nucleoside or nucleotide analogs for the three evaluated efficacy outcomes in both HBeAg-positive and -negative patients. CONCLUSION: Tenofovir has the highest probability of reducing HBV DNA, normalizing alanine aminotransferase levels and inducing HBeAg seroconversion after 1 year of treatment. An efficacy comparison of therapies is an important tool to guide clinicians in selecting the optimal treatment option.

Evaluation of pregnancy as a risk factor in the outcomes of influenza A (H1N1)/2009 in women of childbearing age.

The aim of this study was to verify whether pregnancy was a risk factor for death in influenza A (H1N1)/2009 infection. We compared the case-fatality rates for pandemic influenza among non-pregnant women of childbearing age and pregnant women, besides investigating other factors that differentiated the groups in relation to the outcomes. The data were collected from the National Information System on Diseases of Notification (SINAN), of the Ministry of Health. The study used cases with laboratory confirmation and included 1,861 women from 10 to 49 years of age, of whom 352 were pregnant. The case-fatality rate during the 2009 pandemic was 4.5% for pregnant women and 6.4% for non-pregnant women (p = 0.197). Logistic regression did not show an association between pregnancy and death (OR = 0.7; 95%CI: 0.41-1.21). However, there were significant differences between the two groups in relation to mean age, treatment with oseltamivir, schooling, and presence of other risk factors.

Profile of users of drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B available through the Brazilian Public Health System.

Treatment for chronic hepatitis B in Brazil are funded by the Ministry of Health and by the state Departments of Health. Clinical protocol and therapeutic guidelines approve the use of adefovir, entecavir, interferon-α, lamivudine, and tenofovir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. The aim of this study was to establish the profile of users of these drugs in the state of Paraná. A cross-sectional study was conducted with patients under treatment in Paraná in August 2011. The following data were obtained: gender, hepatitis B used drug, International Classification of Diseases, and regional health unit. The monthly cost of these drugs for the public health system was also calculated. 1,093 patients registered were found, 70% male, and 2.6% co-infected with the delta agent. Tenofovir was the drug most commonly used (355 users). The highest prevalence was found in the regional health units of Pato Branco, Cascavel, Foz do Iguaçú, Francisco Beltrão, Toledo, Londrina, and Maringá. The annual cost for the public health system in Paraná was U$1,066,867. Through this study it was possible to investigate the distribution and profile of users of drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in Paraná in August 2011.