Fernando César Wehrmeister

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Trajectories From Childhood to Young Adulthood: Evidence From a Birth Cohort Supporting a Late-Onset Syndrome.

IMPORTANCE The requirement of a childhood onset has always been a key criterion for the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults, but recently this requirement has become surrounded by controversy. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether impaired young adults with ADHD symptoms always have a childhood-onset disorder in a population-based longitudinal study. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Participants belonged to the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study, including 5249 individuals born in Pelotas, Brazil, in 1993. They were followed up to 18 to 19 years of age, with 81.3% retention. The data analysis was performed between August 8, 2015, and February 5, 2016. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The ADHD status was first ascertained at 11 years of age using a screening instrument (hyperactivity subscale of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire) calibrated for a DSM-IV ADHD diagnosis based on clinical interviews with parents using the Development and Well-Being Assessment. At 18 to 19 years of age, ADHD diagnosis was derived using DSM-5 criteria, except age at onset. We estimated the overlap between these groups assessed at 11 and 18 to 19 years of age and the rates of markers of impairment in these 2 groups compared with those without ADHD. RESULTS At 11 years of age, childhood ADHD (C-ADHD) was present in 393 individuals (8.9%). At 18 to 19 years of age, 492 individuals (12.2%) fulfilled all DSM-5 criteria for young adult ADHD (YA-ADHD), except age at onset. After comorbidities were excluded, the prevalence of YA-ADHD without comorbidities decreased to 256 individuals (6.3%). Children with C-ADHD had a male preponderance not observed among children without ADHD (251 [63.9%] vs 1930 [47.9%] male, P < .001), whereas the YA-ADHD group had a female preponderance (192 [39.0%] vs 1786 [50.4%] male, P < .001). Both groups had increased levels of impairment in adulthood, as measured by traffic incidents, criminal behavior, incarceration, suicide attempts, and comorbidities. However, only 60 children (17.2%) with ADHD continued to have ADHD as young adults, and only 60 young adults (12.6%) with ADHD had the disorder in childhood. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The findings of this study do not support the assumption that adulthood ADHD is necessarily a continuation of childhood ADHD. Rather, they suggest the existence of 2 syndromes that have distinct developmental trajectories.

Cohort profile update: The 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort follow-up visits in adolescence.

In this paper we update the profile of the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study, with emphasis on a shift of priority from maternal and child health research topics to four main categories of outcome variables, collected throughout adolescence: (i) mental health; (ii) body composition; (iii) risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs); (iv) human capital. We were able to trace 81.3% (n = 4106) of the original cohort at 18 years of age. For the first time, the 18-years visit took place entirely on the university premises, in a clinic equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for the assessment of body composition. We welcome requests for data analyses from outside scientists. For more information, refer to our website (http://www.epidemio-ufpel.org.projetos_de_pesquisas/estudos/coorte_1993) or e-mail the corresponding author.

Life-course evidence of birth weight effects on bone mass: systematic review and meta-analysis

A systematic review of the literature was performed in July 2011. Original papers based on longitudinal studies measuring spine, femoral neck, or total body bone mass by DXA were included (n = 17). Birth weight was positively associated with bone mass among children. The association was unclear among adolescents and weak among adults. This study aims to evaluate the association between birth weight and bone mass in future ages through a systematic review of literature and meta-analysis. A systematic review of the literature was performed in July 2011 in Medline, Web of Science and LILACS bases using key terms: (“birth size” OR “birth weight” OR birthweight OR prematurity OR premature OR “gestational age”) AND (osteoporosis OR “bone mass” OR “bone density” OR “bone mineral density” OR “bone mineral content” OR “bone area”) AND (longitudinal OR cohort). Original papers based on longitudinal studies measuring lumbar spine, femoral neck or total body bone mass by dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were included. A meta-analysis was performed using birth weight and bone mass density and/or content as continuous variables and adjusted for current height and/or weight. A total of 218 articles were retrieved from which 17 were selected and grouped into three categories according to age: studies with children; with adolescents and young adults, and studies with adults (older than 25). Five papers were included in the meta-analysis. Positive association between birth weight and bone mass was clear among children, unclear among adolescents, and weak among adults. The effect on bone mass content was stronger than those on body mass density regardless of age. Birth weight influences positively bone health in later life. Preventive health policies dealing with early-life modifiable risk factors, as birth weight, should be encouraged to attain an optimal peak bone mass as an strategy to decrease osteoporosis in the elderly.

Waist circumference and pulmonary function: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundStudies have reported an impact of central obesity on people’s health. The literature is scarce on the effects of waist circumference (WC) on pulmonary function. Our objective was to review the literature on the association between WC and pulmonary function.MethodsA systematic review was carried out in the PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus databases. The search included published, in press and online documents up to December 2011. A meta-analysis was carried out to obtain the pooled effect, and a meta-regression was performed to evaluate sources of heterogeneity.ResultsFrom the 547 studies identified, 10 were included. The meta-analysis revealed an inverse relationship between WC and pulmonary function parameters, indicating that the effect was greater among men (forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 β = −15.9 (95% confidence interval = −23.2, −8.5); forced vital capacity (FVC) β = −16.6 (95% confidence interval = −21.0, −12.2)) compared with women (FEV1 β = −5.6 (95% confidence interval = −9.1, −2.1); FVC β = −7.0 (95% confidence interval = −9.1, −4.8)). The meta-regression identified sex as the characteristic that most contributed to the heterogeneity (R2 = 54.8% for FEV1 and R2 = 85.7% for FVC).ConclusionsThere seems to be an inverse relationship between WC and pulmonary function, mainly in men. More population-based studies should be performed, especially among children and adolescents, to confirm these findings.

Tabagismo no Brasil: desigualdades regionais e prevalência segundo características ocupacionais

This study describes the prevalence of daily tobacco smoking according to sex, age, per capita household income and occupation of residents aged 15 years or more in Brazil and regions using data from the 2008 National Household Sample Survey (PNAD/IBGE). The analysis was adjusted for the sampling design and included 252.768 individuals. Daily smoking prevalence in Brazil was 15.1%, varying from 12.8% in the North region to 17.4% in the South region, and it was 62% higher in men compared to women. Smoking prevalence was inversely proportional to household income, 18.6% among the poorest 20% and 11.5% among the wealthiest 20%. The same trends for gender, age and income were observed in the different regions of Brazil. Daily smoking was 3% higher among workers compared to non-workers. White collar workers presented a smoking prevalence below 10%, while blue collar workers had rates above 20%. The association between smoking and occupation persisted after the adjustment for sex, age and household income. The inequalities found should be considered when developing effective strategies for smoking reduction. The more exposed occupational groups should have priority in the interventions.

Programas de reabilitação pulmonar em pacientes com DPOC

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are aimed at providing benefits to COPD patients, in various aspects. Our objective was to review the literature on COPD patient rehabilitation. This systematic review involved articles written in English, Spanish, or Portuguese; published between 2005 and 2009; and indexed in national and international databases. Articles were classified in accordance with the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria for the determination of the level of scientific evidence (grade of recommendation A, B, or C). The outcome measures were exercise, quality of life, symptoms, exacerbations, mortality, and pulmonary function. Treatments were classified as standard rehabilitation, partial rehabilitation, strength exercises, and resistance exercises. Of the 40 articles selected, 4, 18, and 18 were classified as grades A, B, and C, respectively. Of the 181 analyses made in these articles, 61, 50, 23, 23, 20, and 4, respectively, were related to the outcome measures quality of life, exercise, symptoms, exacerbations, pulmonary function, and mortality. The standard rehabilitation programs showed positive effects on all of the outcomes evaluated, except for mortality (because of the small number of analyses). However, we found no differences among the various rehabilitation programs regarding their effects on the outcomes studied. Rehabilitation programs can be considered important tools for the treatment of COPD. Therefore, health administrators should implement public policies including such programs in the routine of health care facilities.

Time trend of asthma in children and adolescents in Brazil, 1998-2008

OBJECTIVE To analyze the trends in asthma prevalence in children and adolescents between 1998 and 2008 in Brazil. METHODS Data on asthma prevalence from the 1998, 2003 and 2008 National Household Sample Surveys were analyzed. The sample was comprised of 141,402, 144,443 and 134,032 individuals in 1998, 2003 and 2008, respectively, and the analysis was adjusted for the sample design. Trends in asthma prevalence were described for sex, Brazilian regions and place of residence of children (zero to nine years of age) and adolescents (ten to 19 years of age). RESULTS The prevalence of asthma in children was 7.7% in 1998, 8.1% in 2003 and 8.5% in 2008, with an annual increase of 1%. The highest annual increase was observed in the Southeast and North regions (1.4%). Among adolescents, the prevalence of asthma was 4.4% in 1998, 5.0% in 2003 and 5.5% in 2008, with an increase of 2.2% per year. In the Northeast region, the annual increase in the prevalence of asthma was 3.5%. The greatest increases were observed in boys and in residents of rural areas. CONCLUSIONS Although asthma has decreased in some developing countries, the results found in Brazil point to an increase in this disease in children and adolescents between 1998 and 2008, especially in rural areas.OBJETIVO: Analisar as tendencias de asma em criancas e adolescentes entre 1998 e 2008 no Brasil. METODOS: Foram analisados os dados de prevalencia de asma da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicilios, dos anos de 1998, 2003 e 2008. A amostra foi constituida por 141.402, 144.443 e 134.032 individuos em 1998, 2003 e 2008, respectivamente, e a analise foi ajustada pelo desenho amostral. As tendencias de asma foram descritas por sexo, regioes do Brasil e local de residencia, em criancas (zero a nove anos) e adolescentes (dez a 19 anos). RESULTADOS: A prevalencia de asma entre criancas foi 7,7% em 1998, 8,1% em 2003 e 8,5% em 2008, com um incremento anual de 1%. O maior aumento anual foi observado nas regioes Sudeste e Norte (1,4%). Entre o grupo de adolescentes, a prevalencia de asma foi de 4,4% em 1998, 5,0% em 2003 e 5,5% em 2008, com aumento de 2,2% ao ano. Na regiao Nordeste, o aumento anual na prevalencia de asma foi de 3,5%. Os maiores incrementos foram observados entre os meninos e entre moradores da zona rural. CONCLUSOES: Apesar de a asma apresentar um decrescimo em paises emergentes, no Brasil os resultados apontam um incremento da asma entre criancas e adolescentes no periodo de 1998 e 2008, especialmente na zona rural.

Adverse childhood experiences: Prevalence and related factors in adolescents of a Brazilian birth cohort ☆

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can affect peoples health and wellbeing not only at the time the ACE is experienced, but also later in life. The majority of studies on ACEs are carried out in high-income countries and little is known about its prevalence in low and middle-income countries. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of ACEs, associations between ACEs and sociodemographic factors, and the interrelationship between types of ACEs in adolescents of a Brazilian birth cohort. Data from 3,951 adolescents (78.4% of the original cohort) from the 1993 Pelotas Cohort were analyzed. Seven types of ACEs were assessed in those up to 18 years old: physical abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, domestic violence, parental separation and parental death. The most common ACE was parental separation (42%), followed by emotional neglect (19.7%) and domestic violence (10.3%). Approximately 85% of the adolescents experienced at least one ACE, and females reported a higher number of adversities. Several socioeconomic, demographic and family-related characteristics were associated with the occurrence of ACEs, e.g. non-white skin color, low family income, low maternal schooling, absence of mothers partner, maternal smoking, and poor maternal mental health. A strong interrelationship was observed among the ACEs, indicating clustering of risk. These aspects should be considered by health and social care professionals in the prevention and identification of childhood adversities.

African ancestry, lung function and the effect of genetics

African-Americans have smaller lung function compared with European-Americans. The aim of this study was to disentangle the contribution of genetics from other variables on lung function. A cohort was followed from birth to 30 years of age in Brazil. Several variables were collected: genomic analysis based on DNA; forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) obtained by spirometry; height measured by anthropometrists; and thorax circumference evaluated by photonic scanner. Crude and adjusted linear regression models were calculated according to African ancestry. The sample comprised 2869 participants out of 3701 members of the cohort. Males with higher African ancestry by DNA analysis had a smaller FEV1 (−0.13 L, 95% CI −0.23– −0.03 L) and FVC (−0.21 L, 95% CI −0.32– −0.09 L) compared with those with less African ancestry, having accounted for height, sitting to standing height ratio and other confounders. Similar effects were seen in females. After adjustment, ancestry remained significantly associated with lung function, but the large effect of adjustment for confounding among males (but not females) does not allow us to exclude the possibility that residual confounding may still account for these findings. Smaller lung function is related to African ancestry but adjustments for confounders reduced the effect sizes http://ow.ly/Iq0Ve

FEV1 Is a Better Predictor of Mortality than FVC: The PLATINO Cohort Study

Objective To determine whether the presence of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and reduction of lung function parameters were predictors of mortality in a cohort. Materials/Patients and Methods Population based cohorts were followed in Montevideo, Santiago and Sao Paulo during 5, 6 and 9 years, respectively. Outcomes included all-cause, cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer mortality; exposures were COPD, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Cox regression was used for analyses. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, receiver operator characteristics curves and Youdens index were calculated. Results Main causes of death were cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer. Baseline COPD was associated with overall mortality (HR = 1.43 for FEV1/FVC<LLN; 2.01 for GOLD 2-4; 1.46 for GOLD 1-4; 1.50 for FEV1/FEV6 <LLN). For cardiovascular mortality, significant associations were found with GOLD 2-4 (HR = 2.68) and with GOLD 1-4 (HR = 1.78) for both genders together (not among women). Low FEV1 was risk for overall and respiratory mortality (both genders combined). FVC was not associated with overall mortality. For most COPD criteria sensitivity was low and specificity high. The area under the curve for FEV1 was greater than for FVC for overall and cardiovascular mortality. Answer to the Question COPD and low FEV1 are important predictors for overall and cardiovascular mortality in Latin America.