Carlos Eduardo Leite Arieta

Quality of health care: patient satisfaction in a university hospital

OBJECTIVE To evaluate patient characteristics and satisfaction in an outpatient service at a university hospital, aiming at obtaining subsidies for standardization of a quality assessment program. METHOD Patient-representative sample was selected. It consisted of users of the Ophthalmology Outpatient Service at the Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). A structured questionnaire was applied through interview, including the following variables: personal characteristics (gender, age, literacy, job), type of appointment (new patient, follow-up), waiting time for the first appointment, opinion regarding ease of access to the hospital, assistance at the front desk, time spent in the waiting room on the appointed day, quality of care, degree of satisfaction with the consultation and general evaluation of the assistance. RESULTS The sample was characterized by patients with low literacy and socioeconomic level; 21.7% had a steady income. The majority of them think that it is easy to obtain an appointment. According to patients, the mean waiting time for the appointment was 94.6 minutes and 45.3% of them received no orientation after the appointment. Final evaluation of the quality of assistance was positive and patients were satisfied with the provided assistance. CONCLUSION Although a high level of satisfaction regarding the provided service was observed, when the various factors that can affect patient satisfaction are considered, users reported limitations as concerns quality. Evaluation allowed a better knowledge about the provided service in a university hospital and pointed to the possibility of implantation of quality assessment routines.

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Versus Placebo to Reduce the Risk of Recurrences of Toxoplasma Gondii Retinochoroiditis: Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

PURPOSE To compare the effects of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole vs placebo in reducing the risk of recurrences of Toxoplasma gondii retinochoroiditis. DESIGN Single-center, prospective randomized double-masked clinical trial. METHODS A total of 95 patients from Campinas, Brazil, with active recurrent Toxoplasma gondii retinochoroiditis were included. The initially active toxoplasmosis lesions were successfully treated in all cases using trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (800 mg/160 mg) twice daily for 45 days. Subsequently, 5 patients dropped out of the study. The remaining patients were randomized to Group 1 (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole tablet every 2 days) or Group 2 (identical placebo tablet every 2 days). Randomization was 1:1, was stratified by sex, and used block sizes of 4. The primary outcome was recurrent toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis within 1 year, and the secondary outcome was a 1-year change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (ETDRS chart). RESULTS The incidence of recurrent toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis within 12 months was 0 of 46 (0%) and 6 of 47 (12.80%) in the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and placebo groups, respectively (P = .026). Visual acuity improvements in the 2 groups were similar. No treatment-limiting toxicity was observed. CONCLUSIONS Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole therapy resulted in a 100% reduction in the recurrence of Toxoplasma gondii retinochoroiditis over 1 year of treatment.

Effect of preoperative use of topical prednisolone acetate, ketorolac tromethamine, nepafenac and placebo, on the maintenance of intraoperative mydriasis during cataract surgery: A randomized trial

Purpose: To compare the effects of preoperative use of topical anti-inflammatory prednisolone acetate, ketorolac tromethamine, nepafenac and placebo, on the maintenance of intraoperative mydriasis during cataract surgery. Design: Randomized clinical trial. Materials and Methods: This single-center, masked, randomized clinical study comprised 140 patients scheduled for cataract surgery. Patients (35 in each group) were randomized to receive placebo, prednisolone acetate, ketorolac tromethamine 0.4% or nepafenac. These eye drops were administered three times daily for the two days prior to surgery. The pupillary diameters were measured by the surgeon using a compass prior to the corneal section and at the end of surgery. The primary outcome was the number of patients with pupil ≥ 6mm at the end of the surgery; the secondary outcome was the number of patients with pupil ≥ 6mm at the beginning of the surgery. Results: All the patients achieved pupil ≥ 6mm at the beginning of the surgery. The number of patients in the prednisolone (29/35), nepafenac (31/35) and ketorolac (30/35) groups with pupil ≥ 6mm was greater than in the placebo group in the maintenance of intraoperative mydriasis (19/35 – P =0.003). There was no statistical difference among the prednisolone, nepafenac and ketorolac groups in the maintenance of intraoperative mydriasis (P =.791). There were no complications during surgery or related to the preoperative use of the eye drops. Conclusion: Preoperative use of ketorolac, prednisolone and nepafenac was effective in maintaining intraoperative mydriasis when compared with placebo.

Cataract Remains an Important Cause of Blindness in Campinas, Brazil

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of blindness in the elderly population of Campinas, Brazil, and to describe the coverage and quality of cataract surgery services in the area. Methods: A brief assessment of cataract surgery services (using the “RACSS” (Rapid Assessment of Cataract Surgical Services Method) was conducted using random cluster sampling, with a sample composed of 60 clusters of 40 people aged 50 years or older. Visual acuity (VA) was measured and the lens status observed by direct visual ophthalmoscopy. From the selected sample of 2,400 subjects, 92.67% were examined. Results: Blindness (VA < 3/60 with available correction) was found in 1.98 % (2.03 % among male subjects, and 1.94 % among female subjects). The prevalence of blindness varied with age, from 0.2%, in the group from 50 to 54 years, to 7.2% in those above 80. Cataract was the main cause of blindness (40.2%) followed by suspected posterior segment disorders (18.2%), diabetic retinopathy (15.9%), and glaucoma (11.4%). The cataract surgical coverage was of 93% (VA < 3/60) and 82.18% when the criterion was VA 6/60 in the best eye. The main reasons the subjects did not receive surgical treatment were: fear of undergoing surgery, 11.1%; lack of awareness about the condition, 16.7%; waiting for maturity, 16.7%; and contraindication to surgery, 44.4%. Conclusion: Cataract is the major cause of blindness in Campinas. Education on eye diseases, their prevention and treatment must become part of the citys public healthcare policies.

Cryotherapy vs Laser Photocoagulation in Scleral Buckle Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE To compare the reattachment rate and visual acuity results among patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who underwent scleral buckle surgery with retinopexy by intraoperative cryotherapy (cryopexy) vs postoperative (1 month later) laser photocoagulation (laserpexy). METHODS Eighty-six patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment scheduled for scleral buckle surgery were randomly assigned to the cryopexy or laserpexy group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the 1-week reattachment rate. Other outcome measures included later reattachment rate (1 month and 6 months), best-corrected visual acuity, rate of subsequent operations, and postoperative complications. RESULTS The 1-week, 1-month, and 6-month anatomical success rates were similar in the 2 groups: 93% (40 patients), 100%, and 100% in the cryopexy group and 95% (41 patients), 100%, and 100% in the laserpexy group, respectively. Three patients in the cryopexy group and 2 in the laserpexy group underwent 1 additional rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery (pars plan vitrectomy) after primary failure at 1-week follow-up. The types of postoperative complications were similar in both groups, except for eyelid edema. Visual recovery was slower in the cryotherapy group, but the difference in visual acuity after 6 months was not significant. CONCLUSIONS In patients with uncomplicated retinal detachment, both techniques of retinopexy have shown satisfactory anatomical and functional success. Laserpexy offers faster visual acuity recuperation with fewer postoperative complications but requires a second intervention and costs more than cryotherapy. APPLICATION TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Laserpexy is a successful alternative to cryopexy in creating chorioretinal adhesion for scleral buckle surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01068379.

Suspensão de cirurgia de catarata e suas causas

Com o objetivo de verificar as causas de suspensao de cirurgia de catarata e sugerir medidas para melhorar a eficiencia do servico prestado a populacao, foi realizado um estudo transversal no servico de oftalmologia de um hospital universitario do Estado de Sao Paulo. A amostra foi composta por 200 individuos. A media de idade foi de 68± 11,4 anos. As causas de suspensao de cirurgia foram: condicao clinica desfavoravel (23,1%); horario cirurgico insuficiente (35,9%); e nao comparecimento do paciente (41%). Os fatores causadores foram, majoritariamente, as razoes sociais e o funcionamento do hospital.

Dorzolamide x Apraclonidine in the prevention of the intraocular pressure spike after Nd : YAG laser posterior capsulotomy

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of dorzolamide compared to apraclonidine, in the prevention of the intra-ocular pressure (IOP) spike after Nd : YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. Site. Department of Ophthalmology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) General Hospital, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Methods. In a double masked prospective clinical trial, 217 eyes from 217 patients were randomly assigned to receive either dorzolamide 2 h before and placebo 1 h before Nd : YAG laser capsulotomy or placebo 2 h before and apraclonidine 1 h before the procedure. Inclusion criteria were secondary cataracts with reduction in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA < 20/40), absence of manifest or suspected glaucoma and no known hypersensitivity to the study drugs. IOP was measured 2 h and 1 h before applying the laser, and 1 h, 2 h, 3 h and 7 days after. Results. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding the IOP 2 h and 1 h before the procedure, and 1 h, 2 h, 3 h and 7 days after the laser treatment (p values, respectively: 0.077, 0.21, 0.085, 0.36, and 0.60). Conclusion. The results of this study suggest that dorzolamide is as safe and effective as apraclonidine in the prevention of the IOP elevation after Nd : YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. Synopsis. The efficacy of dorzolamide was compared to apraclonidine in the prevention of the intraocular pressure spike after Nd : YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in 217 patients and the results were similar with both drugs.

Are routine preoperative medical tests needed with cataract surgery? Study of visual acuity outcome.

Purpose. The aim of this prospective randomized clinical trial was to investigate whether routine medical testing before cataract surgery reduced the rate of ocular surgical complications and to study its impact on visual acuity outcome. Methods. The study was carried out in an academic medical center in Brazil, at State University of Campinas, between 10 February 2000 and 10 January 2001. The scheduled cataract operations were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1) to be preceded by routine medical testing (the “routine-testing group”) or 2) not to be preceded by routine medical testing (the “selective-testing group”). If the patient was assigned to the selective-testing group, it was requested that no preoperative testing be performed unless the patient presented with a new or worsening medical problem that would warrant medical evaluation with testing. In the case of patients assigned to the routine-testing group, three tests were requested: a 12-lead electrocardiogram, a complete blood count, and measurements of serum glucose. Ocular surgical complications, preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity were recorded on a standardized form. Results. The sample of 1025 patients scheduled to undergo cataract surgery was comprised of 512 assigned to the routine-testing group and of 513 assigned to the selective-testing group. The two groups had similar proportions of operations canceled and not subsequently rescheduled, 2% in each group. The cumulative rate of ocular surgical complications was similar in the two groups, 20.5% in the routine-testing group and 19.3% in the selective-testing group (p = 0.624). The preoperative and the postoperative best-corrected visual acuity were similar in both groups (p = 0.999 in the former and p = 0.664 in the latter). Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that routine medical testing before cataract surgery did not reduce the rate of ocular surgical complications and did not influence visual acuity outcome.

Dexamethasone/Povidone Eye Drops versus Artificial Tears for Treatment of Presumed Viral Conjunctivitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Purpose: To determine whether topical dexamethasone 0.1%/povidone-iodine 0.4% reduces the duration of presumed viral conjunctivitis better than artificial tears and whether the treatment relieves the symptoms of this disease. Methods: Randomized, masked and controlled trial. One-hundred twenty-two patients with a clinical diagnosis of presumed viral conjunctivitis were randomized to either the treatment group or the control group. Physicians and patients were masked to the treatment. Swabs were taken from the conjunctival fornix for adenovirus PCR analyses. Patients in the treatment group received topical dexamethasone 0.1%/povidone-iodine 0.4% eye drops four times daily, and patients in the placebo group received artificial tears four times daily, both for seven days. Symptoms were recorded on the day of recruitment and at the time of a follow-up examination 5, 10 and 30 d later. The main outcome was duration of the disease. The others outcomes were overall discomfort, itching, foreign body sensation, tearing, redness, eyelid swelling, side effects of the eye drops, intraocular pressure and the incidence of subepithelial corneal infiltrates. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment group and the control group in terms of the patients’ symptoms, intraocular pressure and incidence of subepithelial cornea infiltrates during the entire follow-up period. Patients of the treatment group reported more stinging (p < 0.001) and a shorter conjunctivitis duration (9.4 ± 4.6 d in the dexamethasone 0.1%/povidone-iodine 0.4% group versus 11.8 ± 4.9 d in the artificial tears group, p = 0.009). Conclusions: The use of topical dexamethasone 0.1%/povidone-iodine 0.4% eye drops four times daily appears to reduce the duration of conjunctivitis, although it causes more stinging than artificial tears.

Prophylactic Use of Ketorolac Tromethamine in Cataract Surgery: A Randomized Trial

PURPOSE To determine the efficacy of topical ketorolac tromethamine in preventing cystoid macular edema (CME) after uncomplicated cataract surgery. METHODS This single-center, prospective, double-masked, randomized clinical trial consisted of 81 patients who were scheduled for cataract surgery. Patients were randomized to receive hypromellose/dextran 70 as a placebo (n=44) or ketorolac tromethamine 0.4% (n=37) as an adjuvant therapy. These eye drops were administered 4 times daily (QID) for 3 days before surgery and 5 weeks postoperatively. All patients received prednisolone acetate 1% QID during the same period as basal/standard anti-inflammatory therapy. The primary outcome was the incidence of angiographic CME 5 weeks after surgery. The secondary outcomes were mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) [Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy study (ETDRS)], clinical CME incidence, intraocular pressure, and retinal thickness measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS In the placebo group, 2/44 (4.5%) patients and in the ketorolac group, 2/37 (5.4%) patients presented with angiographic CME (P=0.624). The mean change in postoperative BCVA was 32±15 letters in the placebo group and 26±16 letters in the ketorolac group (P=0.07). There were no statistically significant between-group differences in the mean central subfield thickness (P=0.679), minimal central thickness (P=0.352), or central macular volume (P=0.729). CONCLUSION There was no difference between ketorolac tromethamine and a placebo with regard to BCVA results or prevention of CME after uncomplicated cataract surgery.