Juliana Álvares

Non-adherence among patients initiating antiretroviral therapy: a challenge for health professionals in Brazil.

Objective:To assess the incidence, magnitude and factors associated with the first episode of non-adherence for 12 months after the first antiretroviral prescription. Design:A prospective study of HIV-infected patients receiving their first antiretroviral prescription in public referral centers, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Baseline assessment occurred at the moment of the first prescription and follow-up visits at the first, fourth and seventh month, from May 2001 to May 2003. Methods:Non-adherence was self-reported and defined as the intake of less than 95% of the prescribed doses for 3 days before the follow-up interviews. Cumulative and person-time incidence were estimated and Coxs proportional model was used to assess the relative hazard (RH) of non-adherence with 95% confidence interval for both univariate and multivariate analysis. Results:Among 306 patients, the cumulative incidence of non-adherence was 36.9% (incidence rate 0.21/100 person-days). Multivariate analysis (P < 0.05) showed that unemployment (RH = 2.17), alcohol use (RH = 2.27), self-report of three or more adverse reactions (RH = 1.64), number of pills per day (RH = 2.04), switch in antiretroviral regimen (RH = 2.72), and a longer time between the HIV test result and the first antiretroviral prescription (RH = 2.27) were associated with an increased risk of non-adherence, whereas the use of more than one health service indicated a negative association (RH = 0.54). Conclusion:The current analysis has pointed out the importance of clinical and health service characteristics as potential indicators of non-adherence after initiating therapy. Early assessment and intervention strategies should be priorities in these AIDS public referral centres. Feasible and reliable indicators for the routine monitoring of adherence should be incorporated in clinical practice.

Quality of life of patients in renal replacement therapy in Brazil: comparison of treatment modalities

PurposeThis study aimed to analyze and compare the quality of life of renal replacement therapy patients undergoing hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and those with renal transplantation in Brazil. In addition, we aimed to verify factors associated with patients’ quality of life and the relationship between quality of life and treatment modality, socioeconomic and demographic conditions as well as aspects related to the disease and health services.MethodsA representative sample of the dialysis units and transplant centers was obtained. Structured questionnaires were used to interview 3,036 patients in one of three treatment modalities: hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and renal transplant. Information was collected about socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and quality of life measures.ResultsThere were significant differences between renal transplants and both forms of dialysis for all dimensions of the SF-36. Hemodialysis patients showed better results in the dimensions of functional capacity, physical aspects and social aspects, compared to peritoneal dialysis patients. Renal transplant patients had the best mean score in the physical component of quality of life. There were no significant differences among treatment groups regarding the mental component of quality of life. The physical and mental components were associated with comorbidities and age; however, older patients had better mental quality of life but worse physical quality of life. Patients in a higher socioeconomic class and patients that were not hospitalized also reported better quality of life. Unmarried and male patients presented better physical quality of life. The dialysis units and transplant centers influenced the patients’ quality of life.ConclusionsRenal transplant patients have the best quality of life of the three treatment modalities. It is necessary to increase access to renal transplants.

A organização da Atenção Básica em municípios integrantes do projeto de expansão e consolidação do saúde da família em Mato Grosso, Brasil

This article presents part of the results from the Baseline Study on the PROESF. The objective was to evaluate primary health care in the cities of Cuiaba, Varzea Grande, and Rondonopolis, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, based on the inter-subjectivity in human relations (among health workers, users of health services, and the public at large and within institutionalized levels of social control). A qualitative and quantitative methodology was used, including interviews with key informants; short meetings with managers; focal groups with managers; and interviews with users and health professionals from pre-selected health units. Scores were assigned to all the questions that indicated participatory processes in primary care practices in the various municipalities. Despite the geopolitical identity among the municipalities and their similar access to the same public policies, there was a significant difference in their performance of the functions pertaining to the organization of primary care and the Family Health Program, in terms of portal of entry into the system, longitudinality, comprehensiveness, and coordination. Differences were observed in the type of relations that were established (participatory versus non-participatory), corresponding to the previous difference.

Determinants of expenditures on dialysis in the Unified National Health System, Brazil, 2000 to 2004

The aim of this study was to compare total outpatient expenditures on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis from 2000 to 2004 in patients that began dialysis in 2000 under the Unified National Health System (SUS). A historical cohort was developed, consisting of patients that began dialysis in 2000, identified by probabilistic matching in the database of Authorizations for High-Complexity/High-Cost Procedures (APAC). A multiple linear regression model was used, including individual and clinical attributes and health services supply variables. The cohort included 10,899 patients, 88.5% of whom began hemodialysis and 11.5% peritoneal dialysis. The dialysis modality explains 12% of the variance in expenditures, and patients in peritoneal dialysis showed 20% higher mean annual expenditure. The differences in expenditures are explained according to the State of Brazil and health services supply level. Individual risk variables did not alter the models explanatory power, while age and diabetes mellitus were significant. The study showed the importance of the National Health Systems payment mechanism for explaining differences in expenditures on dialysis treatment in Brazil.

Budget impact analysis of medicines: updated systematic review and implications

ABSTRACT This evaluation determines whether published studies to date meet the key characteristics identified for budget impact analyses (BIA) for medicines, accomplished through a systematic review and assessment against identified key characteristics. Studies from 2001–2015 on ‘budget impact analysis’ with ‘drug’ interventions were assessed, selected based on their titles/abstracts and full texts, and their characteristics checked according to key criteria. Out of 1,984 studies, 92 were subsequently identified for review. Of these, 95% were published in Europe and the USA. 2012 saw the largest number of publications (16%) with a decline thereafter. 48% met up to 7 out of the 9 key characteristics. Only 22% stated no conflict of interest. The results indicate low adherence to the key characteristics that should be considered for BIAs and strong conflict of interest. This is an issue since BIAs can be of fundamental importance in managing the entry of new medicines including reimbursement decisions.

Quality of life of patients with Diabetes Mellitus Types 1 and 2 from a referal health centre in Minas Gerais, Brazil

ABSTRACT Quality of life (QoL) characteristics are important in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM 1 and 2). Aim: Evaluate QoL and DM-associated factors among diabetic patients. Methods: Patients attending a University Hospital were interviewed about their sociodemographic, clinical and QoL characteristics, with QoL measured via the EQ-5D. Descriptive analysis, correlation, linear regression, univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. Results: 346 patients took part, comprising 67% women, 59% with DM2, and 32% DM1. DM 1 patients had a mean QoL score of 0.7369, with retinopathy, depression, dyslipidemia and a serious hypoglycemic crisis significantly reducing QoL. Patients with DM type 2 had a mean QoL score of 0.6582, with hypertension, neuropathy, depression, cancer and dyslipidemia significantly reducing QoL. Reduced QoL also correlated with a lack of physical exercise. Males with both DM1 and 2 had a better QoL than females. Conclusion: Need for better disease monitoring and control combined with effective activities to improve self-care, reduce complications and improve patients’ QoL.

Fatores associados à qualidade de vida de pacientes em terapia renal substitutiva no Brasil

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a serious public health problem. The study of the impact of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in quality of life (QoL) has become increasingly important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the QoL of patients on RRT and associated factors. 3036 patients on RRT in Brazil were interviewed in relation to socioeconomic, demographic, clinical and QoL aspects. Patients were randomly selected after a cluster sampling process on two levels: health services and patients. QoL was measured by Eq5D. The instrument allows the indirect measurement of QoL and utility calculation, in addition to the direct measurement of QoL by a visual analog scale (VAS). It was observed that transplant patients have better QoL and that the most prejudicial aspects are pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. The main factors associated with QOL are age, female gender, variables associated with the clinical condition of the patient such as the need for hospitalization and the presence of comorbidities, social class and variables associated with the health service use. The correlation between VAS and utility calculated was moderate and the 5 Eq5D questions explain 43% of the variability of VAS. The calculated utility can be used in cost-utility analysis.

Health technology performance assessment : real-world evidence for public healthcare sustainability

OBJECTIVES Health technology financing is often based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which are often the same ones used for licensing. Because they are designed to show the best possible results, typically Phase III studies are conducted under ideal and highly controlled conditions. Consequently, it is not surprising that technologies do not always perform in real life in the same way as controlled conditions. Because financing (and price paid) decisions can be made with overestimated results, health authorities need to ask whether health systems achieve the results they expect when they choose to pay for a technology. The optimal way to answer this question is to assess the performance of financed technologies in real-world settings. Health technology performance assessment (HTpA) refers to the systematic evaluation of the properties, effects, and/or impact of a health intervention or health technology in the real world to provide information for investment/disinvestment decisions and clinical guideline updates. The objective is to describe the development and principal aspects of the Guideline for HTpA commissioned by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. METHODS Our methods used include extensive literature review, refinement with experts across countries, and public consultation. RESULTS A comprehensive guideline was developed, which has been adopted by the Brazilian government. CONCLUSION We believe the guideline, with its particular focus on disinvestment, along with the creation of a specific program for HTpA, will allow the institutionalization and continuous improvement of the scientific methods to use real-world evidence to optimize available resources not only in Brazil but across countries.

Implementation of clinical guidelines in Brazil: should academic detailing be used?

The Brazilian National Health System provides high cost medicines through the Specialized Component of Pharmaceutical Assistance in accordance with the adherence to agreed Clinical Guidelines. However, physician compliance to these Guidelines, as well as the barriers and facilitators related to them and the influence on the subsequent quality of care provided is unknown. Consequently, the objectives of this article are to undertake a review of international experiences and scientific publications of a strategy to disseminate and communicate guidelines to physicians through Academic Detailing. Subsequently, use the findings to develop and conduct a pilot Academic Detailing Programme in Brazil targeting specialists who prescribe medicines for patients with Alzheimers disease, which are part of the Specialized Component of Pharmaceutical Assistance.

Consumer Willingness to Pay for Dengue Vaccine (CYD-TDV, Dengvaxia®) in Brazil; Implications for Future Pricing Considerations

Introduction and Objective: Dengue virus is a serious global health problem with an estimated 3.97 billion people at risk for infection worldwide. In December 2015, the first vaccine (CYD-TDV) for dengue prevention was approved in Brazil, developed by Sanofi Pasteur. However, given that the vaccine will potentially be paid via the public health system, information is need regarding consumers’ willingness to pay for the dengue vaccine in the country as well as discussions related to the possible inclusion of this vaccine into the public health system. This was the objective of this research. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with residents of Greater Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, about their willingness to pay for the CYD-TDV vaccine. Results: 507 individuals were interviewed. These were mostly female (62.4%) had completed high school (62.17%), were working (74.4%), had private health insurance (64.5%) and did not have dengue (67.4%). The maximum median value of consumers’ willingness to pay for CYD-TDV vaccine is US