Eduardo Luiz Hoehne

[Noise-induced hearing loss and high blood pressure among city bus drivers].

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss and arterial hypertension among city bus drivers. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out on a probability random sample of 108 city bus drivers taken out of a total of 1,529 estimated professionals in the city of Campinas, Brazil, in 1991. Drivers were interviewed using questionnaires on job history, shift work and vacation schedules and underwent clinical and laboratory examinations including measures of blood pressure, pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and anthropometric data analysis after an informed consent was obtained. RESULTS The prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss was 32.7%. According to Merluzzis classification, 91.2% (31 cases) were classified as first and second-degree losses and the most affected frequencies were 6 kHz in 61.3%, and 4 kHz in 38.7%. There were no differences in the laterality of the first affected ear. The prevalence of arterial hypertension was 13.2% (PAD > or =90 mmHg; PAS > or =140 mmHg). CONCLUSIONS The risk of noise-induced hearing loss was greater for drivers in job for more than 6 years, after controlling for age-related hearing loss. An odds ratio of 19.25 was found for those aged 45 or more (1.59

Qualidade de vida de familiares de pessoas surdas atendidas em um centro de reabilitação

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a qualidade de vida de pais de pessoas surdas de um servico de reabilitacao. Trata-se de estudo descritivo, realizado no periodo de marco a junho de 2005, que contou com uma amostra de quinze familiares de surdos atendidos no CEPRE/FCM/UNICAMP. Foi utilizado o instrumento generico de avaliacao de qualidade de vida World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), versao em portugues, alem de um questionario de identificacao e dados sociodemograficos. Na analise estatistica descritiva, utilizou-se o SPSS, com escores transformados de zero a 100. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comite de Etica em Pesquisa da Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas da Unicamp. Os entrevistados foram na maioria do sexo feminino (93,3%), todos ouvintes, donas de casa, idade media de 44 anos. Na avaliacao dos diferentes dominios do WHOQOL-BREF, de um modo geral, os familiares entrevistados consideraram ter uma qualidade de vida “boa” e “muito boa”. O estudo revelou melhor qualidade de vida nos aspectos fisicos (73,8) e das relacoes sociais (72,2) e uma menor percepcao de qualidade de vida no dominio de meio ambiente (51,8), provavelmente pelas proprias caracteristicas socioculturais dos entrevistados, e no dominio psicologico (63,3), que pode estar relacionado a vivencia da surdez de um filho.

Use of Traditional Medicine and Globalized Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Low-Income Cancer Service Users in Brazil

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become increasingly high profile in prosperous countries over the past 2 decades. Alongside this has been a renewed interest in the use of traditional medicine (TM) in poorer countries. Academic attention has tended to focus on either CAM in rich countries or indigenous TM in poorer ones. However, such a differentiation leads to a potential to gloss over global complexities, such as the study of countries where both CAM and TM are a potentially significant part of health options. Brazil is just such a country. Brazil is marked by massive socioeconomic inequalities; cancer is its second highest cause of death. To date, there has been little research on CAM/TM in cancer care in Brazil. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide the first exploratory data on the proportion of the use of CAM and/or TM among low-income cancer service users in Brazil. Method: A survey of cancer patients was conducted in November 2004 in a public-sector hospital in a major city in Brazil. A random sample (n = 92) was generated from a list of all appointments scheduled during that month (n = 570). Eighty-nine of the 92 patients contacted (97%) completed the questionnaire. Results: Of the sample, 62.9% had used at least 1 form of CAM or TM. However, this headline figure is potentially misleading. The data reveal an almost total absence of use of non-indigenous international CAM; it also shows prayer to be a major contributor to the relatively high use rate. Discussion: On the basis of this small-scale exploratory study, there is no evidence that those international CAMs ubiquitous in the West are spreading to low-income cancer service users in Brazil (despite anecdotal evidence of its increasing presence in the country generally). Moreover, when excluding prayer, use of indigenous traditional medicine was found to be relatively low. Further research is needed to examine these findings on a larger scale and to explore the relative importance of social, cultural, and economic factors behind them.

Isolated mitral valve prolapse is an independent predictor of aortic root size in a general population

AIMS Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is associated with aortic root (AoR) enlargement in patients with inherited connective tissue disorders. This report evaluated whether MVP is related to AoR dimension in a large population with otherwise normal echocardiographic parameters. METHODS AND RESULTS We retrospectively analysed echocardiograms performed by a single echocardiographer between 2001 and 2007 for various clinical indications. Six hundred and twenty-seven subjects with isolated MVP were found and then matched by sex, age, and body mass index to 627 individuals without MVP. The whole sample included 454 men and 800 women with an average age of 37.9 +/- 0.3 years and a body mass index of 23.7 +/- 0.1 kg/m(2). MVP subjects had a higher AoR diameter (30.4 +/- 0.1 vs. 29.5 +/- 0.1 cm; P < 0.0001) compared with controls. Furthermore, multivariate analyses demonstrated an independent association between MVP and AoR size (P < 0.0001) in a model that included age, gender, body mass index, body surface area, blood pressure levels, and left ventricular mass index as confounding variables. CONCLUSION Isolated MVP is an independent predictor of greater AoR size in a large population with otherwise normal echocardiographic parameters.

A consagração científica em números: análise do perfil de uma vanguarda pelos currículos Lattes

, v.13, n.30, p.181-95, jul./set. 2009.The objective was to analyze the possibilities and limitations of quantitative study on an institution and its professionals, taking into account the Lattes curriculum vitae platform. Through exploring this material, we sought to delineate the profile of full professors within the Unicamp School of Medical Sciences and to characterize their scientific production, main activities and academic profile. Our methodology was quantitative. We outlined and analyzed the main characteristics of these professors presented in their curricula vitae that are held in the database of the Lattes platform, by means of descriptive statistics. Next, by means of qualitative analysis based on the theories of Pierre Bourdieu, we pointed out the difficulties in achieving good descriptions of researchers’ social and scientific paths from the Lattes platform. Thus, the Lattes system consists of a repository of finished scientific actions, comprising a linear and non-historical succession within official science.Keywords: Sociology of science. Habitus. Bourdieu. Scientific production. Health human resource training. Research personnel.O objetivo foi o de analisar as possibilidades e os limites do estudo quantitativo de uma instituicao e dos profissionais que nela atuam, tomando como objeto os curriculos da Plataforma Lattes. Explorando esse material, procuramos delinear um quadro dos professores plenos da Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas da Unicamp, caracterizar sua producao cientifica, as principais atividades que exercem e seu perfil academico. Nossa metodologia foi quantitativa. Desenhamos e analisamos, por meio de uma estatistica descritiva, as principais caracteristicas desses professores, presentes na base de dados da Plataforma Lattes que contem os seus curriculos. Em seguida, por meio de uma analise qualitativa, baseada na teoria de Pierre Bourdieu, apontamos, como resultado, as dificuldades da Plataforma Lattes em bem descrever as trajetorias sociais e cientificas dos pesquisadores, consistindo, assim, em um repositorio de atos cientificos acabados e que compoem uma sucessao a-historica e linear da ciencia oficial. Palavras-chave: Sociologia da ciencia. Habitus. Bourdieu. Producao cientifica. Capacitacao de recursos humanos em saude. Pesquisadores.The objective was to analyze the possibilities and limitations of quantitative study on an institution and its professionals, taking into account the Lattes c urriculum vitae platform. Through exploring this material, we sought to delineate the profile of pro fessors of the UNICAMP School of Medical Sciences and to characterize their scientific production, ma in activities and academic profile. The methodology used was quantitative. Based on descriptive statist ics, we outlined and analyzed the main characterist ics these professors presented in their curricula vitae , which are stored in the database of the Lattes Platform. Next, using qualitative analysis based on the theories of Pierre Bourdieu, we emphasized the difficulties in achieving good descriptions of rese archers’ social and scientific paths based on the L attes Platform. Thus, the Lattes system consists of a rep ository of finished scientific actions, comprising a

La consagración científica en números: análisis del perfil de una vanguardia por los currículos Lattes

, v.13, n.30, p.181-95, jul./set. 2009.The objective was to analyze the possibilities and limitations of quantitative study on an institution and its professionals, taking into account the Lattes curriculum vitae platform. Through exploring this material, we sought to delineate the profile of full professors within the Unicamp School of Medical Sciences and to characterize their scientific production, main activities and academic profile. Our methodology was quantitative. We outlined and analyzed the main characteristics of these professors presented in their curricula vitae that are held in the database of the Lattes platform, by means of descriptive statistics. Next, by means of qualitative analysis based on the theories of Pierre Bourdieu, we pointed out the difficulties in achieving good descriptions of researchers’ social and scientific paths from the Lattes platform. Thus, the Lattes system consists of a repository of finished scientific actions, comprising a linear and non-historical succession within official science.Keywords: Sociology of science. Habitus. Bourdieu. Scientific production. Health human resource training. Research personnel.O objetivo foi o de analisar as possibilidades e os limites do estudo quantitativo de uma instituicao e dos profissionais que nela atuam, tomando como objeto os curriculos da Plataforma Lattes. Explorando esse material, procuramos delinear um quadro dos professores plenos da Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas da Unicamp, caracterizar sua producao cientifica, as principais atividades que exercem e seu perfil academico. Nossa metodologia foi quantitativa. Desenhamos e analisamos, por meio de uma estatistica descritiva, as principais caracteristicas desses professores, presentes na base de dados da Plataforma Lattes que contem os seus curriculos. Em seguida, por meio de uma analise qualitativa, baseada na teoria de Pierre Bourdieu, apontamos, como resultado, as dificuldades da Plataforma Lattes em bem descrever as trajetorias sociais e cientificas dos pesquisadores, consistindo, assim, em um repositorio de atos cientificos acabados e que compoem uma sucessao a-historica e linear da ciencia oficial. Palavras-chave: Sociologia da ciencia. Habitus. Bourdieu. Producao cientifica. Capacitacao de recursos humanos em saude. Pesquisadores.The objective was to analyze the possibilities and limitations of quantitative study on an institution and its professionals, taking into account the Lattes c urriculum vitae platform. Through exploring this material, we sought to delineate the profile of pro fessors of the UNICAMP School of Medical Sciences and to characterize their scientific production, ma in activities and academic profile. The methodology used was quantitative. Based on descriptive statist ics, we outlined and analyzed the main characterist ics these professors presented in their curricula vitae , which are stored in the database of the Lattes Platform. Next, using qualitative analysis based on the theories of Pierre Bourdieu, we emphasized the difficulties in achieving good descriptions of rese archers’ social and scientific paths based on the L attes Platform. Thus, the Lattes system consists of a rep ository of finished scientific actions, comprising a

Lombalgias e trabalho

Low Back Pains show high rates of existence in all sectors of economical activities which, in some cases, the high risk of alterations lead the worker to absence in workplace and definite work incompetence. In the studies it is observed the need of avaluations and ergonomic interventions. This is a text about the focus on Low Back Pain and its occupational factors; taking under consideration some methodologic aspects regarding the avaluation of the exposition to the risky factors; we also point out some actual problems, the needs and tendencies of research on this field.

Scientific recognition in numbers: analysis of the profile of the vanguard from Lattes curricula vitae

, v.13, n.30, p.181-95, jul./set. 2009.The objective was to analyze the possibilities and limitations of quantitative study on an institution and its professionals, taking into account the Lattes curriculum vitae platform. Through exploring this material, we sought to delineate the profile of full professors within the Unicamp School of Medical Sciences and to characterize their scientific production, main activities and academic profile. Our methodology was quantitative. We outlined and analyzed the main characteristics of these professors presented in their curricula vitae that are held in the database of the Lattes platform, by means of descriptive statistics. Next, by means of qualitative analysis based on the theories of Pierre Bourdieu, we pointed out the difficulties in achieving good descriptions of researchers’ social and scientific paths from the Lattes platform. Thus, the Lattes system consists of a repository of finished scientific actions, comprising a linear and non-historical succession within official science.Keywords: Sociology of science. Habitus. Bourdieu. Scientific production. Health human resource training. Research personnel.O objetivo foi o de analisar as possibilidades e os limites do estudo quantitativo de uma instituicao e dos profissionais que nela atuam, tomando como objeto os curriculos da Plataforma Lattes. Explorando esse material, procuramos delinear um quadro dos professores plenos da Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas da Unicamp, caracterizar sua producao cientifica, as principais atividades que exercem e seu perfil academico. Nossa metodologia foi quantitativa. Desenhamos e analisamos, por meio de uma estatistica descritiva, as principais caracteristicas desses professores, presentes na base de dados da Plataforma Lattes que contem os seus curriculos. Em seguida, por meio de uma analise qualitativa, baseada na teoria de Pierre Bourdieu, apontamos, como resultado, as dificuldades da Plataforma Lattes em bem descrever as trajetorias sociais e cientificas dos pesquisadores, consistindo, assim, em um repositorio de atos cientificos acabados e que compoem uma sucessao a-historica e linear da ciencia oficial. Palavras-chave: Sociologia da ciencia. Habitus. Bourdieu. Producao cientifica. Capacitacao de recursos humanos em saude. Pesquisadores.The objective was to analyze the possibilities and limitations of quantitative study on an institution and its professionals, taking into account the Lattes c urriculum vitae platform. Through exploring this material, we sought to delineate the profile of pro fessors of the UNICAMP School of Medical Sciences and to characterize their scientific production, ma in activities and academic profile. The methodology used was quantitative. Based on descriptive statist ics, we outlined and analyzed the main characterist ics these professors presented in their curricula vitae , which are stored in the database of the Lattes Platform. Next, using qualitative analysis based on the theories of Pierre Bourdieu, we emphasized the difficulties in achieving good descriptions of rese archers’ social and scientific paths based on the L attes Platform. Thus, the Lattes system consists of a rep ository of finished scientific actions, comprising a

Occupational low back pain

Low Back Pains show high rates of existence in all sectors of economical activities which, in some cases, the high risk of alterations lead the worker to absence in workplace and definite work incompetence. In the studies it is observed the need of avaluations and ergonomic interventions. This is a text about the focus on Low Back Pain and its occupational factors; taking under consideration some methodologic aspects regarding the avaluation of the exposition to the risky factors; we also point out some actual problems, the needs and tendencies of research on this field.