Luane Marques de Mello

Fatores associados à procura por serviços de saúde numa perspectiva relacional de gênero

Male culture values involve risk behaviors to health, since the way men perceive and experience their masculinity is one of the most influential shapers of falling sick and dying. The scope of this study was to identify the factors associated with the demand for health services and differences between the sexes by selecting users of health services. The dependent variables were sex of the user (cultural indicator) and failure to seek out health services. Independent variables included socio-demographic and clinical-epidemiological characteristics. The Prevalence Ratio studied by univariate and multivariate analysis was used in the analysis of the association between variables. The factors associated with non-demand for health services included: being male, hours of operation of health care facilities, working hours of the user and not having any disease. By multivariate analysis the factors facilitating demand for health services (protection) were: being female aged 26 to 49 years. Effective consolidation of a health care model that questions the contradiction that exists between the epidemiological data regarding mens health and the position of the health services using common sense regarding the apparent invulnerability of men to falling sick is of great relevance.

TH1/TH2 balance in concomitant immediate and delayed-type hypersensitivity diseases

In spite of the observation of mutual inhibitory properties of TH1 and TH2 CD4+ cells, a group of patients developed simultaneously immediate and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions that are theoretically antagonistic. Patients presenting concomitant hypersensitivity reactions were evaluated for cytokine production. PBMC from 45 patients and 13 non-atopic individuals were cultured with mite allergen and mitogen and the supernatants obtained were evaluated for cytokine production by ELISA. The analysis of the cytokines levels revealed increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha in the non-atopic individuals after specific and mitogen stimulus. The IL-4 was largely observed on serum samples and IL-5 levels were higher in the double sensitized group (group DerpNi) after PHA stimulus. The IL-13 levels were increased in sensitized groups (Derp and DerpNi groups) after PHA stimuli. Atopic patients (Derp and DerpNi groups) presented lowest levels IFN-gamma and the analysis of TGF-beta production after rDER P I stimulation have shown increased levels among sensitized patients to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus mite. IL-10 levels did not differ after antigen stimulation but basal production was higher on Derp and DerpNi groups. Furthermore, negative correlations were observed between IFN-gamma levels and IL-4, IL-13 and IL-10. This study has shown patients able to react, concomitantly, to the two types of antigens - rDER P I and NiSO4, present distinct pattern of cytokine production. The increased levels of IL-13 in the sensitive individuals to mite antigen (rDER P I) and IFN-gamma in NiSO4 sensitized individuals confirm the role of the type TH2 response in the atopies and TH1 type in DCA.

Prevalence of Rotavirus in Acute Diarrhea and its Association with Clinical Signs and Symptoms

Rotaviruses are the main etiological agents of acute infectious diarrhea in children. Thus, the objective of this study is to contribute to the information about the rotavirus variants circulating in Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 124 fecal samples collected from children up to the age of 5 years, with acute gastroenteritis. Thirty-one samples were positive for rotavirus A. Regarding the G genotyping, 16 (80%) were classified as G1 and regarding P genotyping all strains were classified as P[8]. The determination of the prevalence of rotavirus infection and the characterization of the viral strains circulating are expected to contribute to the information we have about the molecular biology and epidemiology of disease.

Impact of the antipneumococcal conjugate vaccine on the occurrence of infectious respiratory diseases and hospitalization rates in children

INTRODUCTION In 2010, to reduce the occurrence of serious pneumococcal disease, the Ministry of Health in Brazil incorporated the 10-valent pneumococcal vaccine in the immunization schedule of children younger than two years of age. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of vaccination on the incidence of infectious respiratory diseases in infants before and after the introduction of the 10-valent pneumococcal vaccine. METHODS This cross-sectional study involved primary care and hospital networks from a city in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, between 2009 and 2012. RESULTS A 40% reduction in the prevalence of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) was observed after introducing the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Male children were 28% more likely to develop the disease. The prevalence ratio ([PR] = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.52 to 2.53, p < 0.05) suggested that not being vaccinated was associated with the occurrence of pneumonia. The prevalence of CAP was 70% lower (PR 0.30, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.37, p<0.05) in children vaccinated as recommended compared to children with delayed vaccination, suggesting that the updated vaccine schedule improves protection. CONCLUSIONS Immunization with the 10-valent pneumococcal vaccine appeared to reduce the number of pneumonia cases in children during the study period. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of the vaccine against the occurrence of pneumococcal pneumonia.

Análise dos fatores associados a quedas com fratura de fêmur em idosos: um estudo caso-controle

OBJECTIVE: To identify the main factors associated to falls and hip fractures in the elderly. METHODS: This is a case-control study (a group of cases and two control groups) in a 1: 1: 1 proportion, studying 135 individuals aged ≥60 years, matched by sex, from 2005 to 2012. Data were collected through interviews at the homes of participants, and information was gathered from medical records. To analyze the differences between proportions and means between groups, they employed the chi-square and Students t test, respectively. To study the association between variables, were performed univariate and multivariate analyzes using logistic regression. As effect measure, were employed odds ratio (OR) and its confidence interval at 95% (95%). In all analyzes, we considered a 5% significance level. RESULTS: After multivariate analysis, hip fracture protection factors were: listen well and have handrails on the stairs of their homes. Risk factors for hip fracture were: hypertension, sedentary lifestyle and have slippery surface in the residence. Protective factors for fall were: have handrails on the stairs of their homes, have osteoporosis and depression. Risk factor for falls was physical inactivity. CONCLUSION: Hip fractures are an important cause of morbidity in the elderly. Knowing the risk factors for post-fall fractures in the elderly is essential for planning individual and collective actions aimed at prevention of this disease and its consequences. Physical activities, more effective treatment plans and inadequacies correction in households of those individuals should be counseled and encouraged.

Impact of the pneumococcal 10-valent vaccine on reducing hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia in children.

Abstract Objective: To describe and analyze the occurrence of hospitalizations for community-acquired pneumonia in children before and after the pneumococcal 10-valent conjugate vaccine implementation into the National Immunization Program. Methods: This is an ecological study that includes records of children younger than one year old, vaccinated and not vaccinated with the pneumococcal 10-valent conjugate vaccine in the periods pre- and post-inclusion of the vaccine in the National Immunization Program in the area covered by the Regional Health Superintendence of Alfenas, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Vaccination was considered as the exposure factor and hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia as the endpoint, using secondary annual data by municipality. The prevalence ratio and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to verify the association between variables. The Z test was used to calculate the difference between proportions. Results: Considering the 26 municipalities of the Regional Health Superintendence of Alfenas, there was a significant reduction in hospitalizations for community-acquired pneumonia in children younger than one year of age, with prevalence ratio (PR)=0.81 (95%CI: 0.74-0.89; p<0.05), indicating a 19% lower prevalence of hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia in the post-vaccination period. Conclusions: The results suggest the effectiveness of the pneumococcal 10-valent conjugate vaccine in preventing severe cases of community-acquired pneumonia in children younger than one year of age.

Rituximab, fludarabine, and cyclophosphamide versus fludarabine and cyclophosphamide for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease of the lymphoid system, in which the most common therapy is fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide (FC). The addition of rituximab to FC has been used, a combination known as FCR. OBJECTIVES To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis of clinical trials between 2000 and 2012 comparing FC and FCR in patients with CLL. MATERIAL AND METHODS Electronic databases were searched using keywords related to the objectives of this review. The outcomes examined were progression-free survival and complete remission. RESULTS The progression-free survival and the overall survival showed significant difference between the two regimens, with complete remission being more frequent in FCR-treated patients (odds ratio=2.58; 95% CI: 2.13-3.13). Patients treated with FCR showed significantly higher neutropenia and serious adverse reactions. CONCLUSION Despite the favorable results of the FCR regimen on outcomes including complete remission, progression-free survival, and overall survival, there is a lack of methodological rigor and appropriate analyses in many of these studies, and thus, there is a need for further studies examining the effect of rituximab in CLL patients.

Fraturas de fêmur em idosos no Brasil: análise espaço-temporal de 2008 a 2012

Fraturas de femur em pessoas com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos (idosos) representam um grande impacto para a saude publica, e estao associadas a elevada morbimortalidade e grandes custos socioeconomicos. Buscou-se descrever temporal e espacialmente os casos de fratura de femur em idosos de todas as regioes do pais, por sexo, em um periodo de cinco anos. Foram realizadas descricoes de serie temporal e espacial bayesiana, baseadas em dados obtidos do Sistema de Informacoes Hospitalares do Sistema Unico de Saude (SIH-SUS), empregando modelo de regressao de Poisson, sobre os casos ocorridos entre os anos de 2008-2012. No periodo estudado ocorreram mais de 181 mil casos de fratura de femur, predominando o sexo feminino, sem correlacoes espaciais e diferencas temporais importantes. Apesar de nao se observar predominio de comportamento temporal e espacial, o numero de casos de fratura de femur no Brasil e alto e com grandes custos financeiros e sociais. Politicas publicas de saude visando a controlar os fatores predisponentes para esse evento devem ser urgentemente implementadas.

Qualidade da Estratégia Saúde da Família: comparação do desempenho de municípios de pequeno e grande porte

ABSTRACT It is a transverse study, based on the AMQ Proposal to evaluate and compare the per-formance of the team work in the Family Health Units in 2 native of Sao Paulo counties, applying the instruments 4 and 5 of the AMQ. In the data analysis, it was used the prevalence ratio and the Kappa statistic. The quality between the FHU, in both investigated counties, has presented no difference. With regard to consolidation, Ribeirao Preto has been found in the satisfactory stage, and Sao Jose do Rio Pardo in the regular. The worst performance was presented at the Community Participation and Social Control. It was observed nonlinearity between the imple-mentation complexity of work processes and the self-assessment of the teams. KEYWORDS Health services evaluation; Family health; Primary Health Care; Quality management. SAUDE DEBATE | RIO DE JANEIRO, V. 38, N. 102, P. 452-467, JUL-SET 2014 452 Qualidade da Estrategia Saude da Familia: comparacao do desempenho de municipios de pequeno e grande porte

Prevalence of influenza and adherence to the anti-flu vaccination among elderly

INTRODUCTION The flu, a condition that can affect the elderly by increasing the risk of serious complications can be prevented through vaccination. Estimate the prevalence of signs and symptoms suggestive of influenza in a group of elderly either vaccinated or unvaccinated against influenza was the objective this study. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study performed in a Brazilian City. A structured questionnaire was employed to identify the presence of signs and symptoms of influenza in individuals aged 60 years or over. For analysis of associations between variables the prevalence ratio (PR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used. RESULTS One hundred ninety-six participants were interviewed, of whom 57.7% were female. The average age was 69.7 years. About 25% of the vaccinated and 20% of the unvaccinated in 2009, and 25% of the vaccinated and 22.5% of the unvaccinated in 2010 reported having the flu. Among the vaccinated and unvaccinated in 2009 and 2010, there was no verified association between vaccination and influenza (PR=1.24; [95% CI: 0.63-2.43] and PR=1.11; [95% CI: 0.59-2.09], respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that, among the elderly selected, the vaccination coverage for influenza is below the ideal, even with projection of the best indices for 2011 (~ 84%). The data on vaccination and disease protection needs further research; however, the results point to the need for measures to better clarify to this population about the disease, its complications and the benefits of vaccination, in addition to combatting the stigma related to low adherence.