Mauricélia da Silveira Lima

Mortality and case fatality due to visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil: a nationwide analysis of epidemiology, trends and spatial patterns.

Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a significant public health problem in Brazil and several regions of the world. This study investigated the magnitude, temporal trends and spatial distribution of mortality related to VL in Brazil. Methods We performed a study based on secondary data obtained from the Brazilian Mortality Information System. We included all deaths in Brazil from 2000 to 2011, in which VL was recorded as cause of death. We present epidemiological characteristics, trend analysis of mortality and case fatality rates by joinpoint regression models, and spatial analysis using municipalities as geographical units of analysis. Results In the study period, 12,491,280 deaths were recorded in Brazil. VL was mentioned in 3,322 (0.03%) deaths. Average annual age-adjusted mortality rate was 0.15 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants and case fatality rate 8.1%. Highest mortality rates were observed in males (0.19 deaths/100,000 inhabitants), <1 year-olds (1.03 deaths/100,000 inhabitants) and residents in Northeast region (0.30 deaths/100,000 inhabitants). Highest case fatality rates were observed in males (8.8%), ≥70 year-olds (43.8%) and residents in South region (17.7%). Mortality and case fatality rates showed a significant increase in Brazil over the period, with different patterns between regions: increasing mortality rates in the North (Annual Percent Change – APC: 9.4%; 95% confidence interval – CI: 5.3 to 13.6), and Southeast (APC: 8.1%; 95% CI: 2.6 to 13.9); and increasing case fatality rates in the Northeast (APC: 4.0%; 95% CI: 0.8 to 7.4). Spatial analysis identified a major cluster of high mortality encompassing a wide geographic range in North and Northeast Brazil. Conclusions Despite ongoing control strategies, mortality related to VL in Brazil is increasing. Mortality and case fatality vary considerably between regions, and surveillance and control measures should be prioritized in high-risk clusters. Early diagnosis and treatment are fundamental strategies for reducing case fatality of VL in Brazil.

Prevalence of Chagas disease in pregnant women and congenital transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To estimate the prevalence of Chagas disease in pregnant women and the risk of congenital transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Brazil, through a systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Temporal trends and spatial distribution of unsafe abortion in Brazil, 1996-2012

OBJECTIVE To analyze temporal trends and distribution patterns of unsafe abortion in Brazil. METHODS Ecological study based on records of hospital admissions of women due to abortion in Brazil between 1996 and 2012, obtained from the Hospital Information System of the Ministry of Health. We estimated the number of unsafe abortions stratified by place of residence, using indirect estimate techniques. The following indicators were calculated: ratio of unsafe abortions/100 live births and rate of unsafe abortion/1,000 women of childbearing age. We analyzed temporal trends through polynomial regression and spatial distribution using municipalities as the unit of analysis. RESULTS In the study period, a total of 4,007,327 hospital admissions due to abortions were recorded in Brazil. We estimated a total of 16,905,911 unsafe abortions in the country, with an annual mean of 994,465 abortions (mean unsafe abortion rate: 17.0 abortions/1,000 women of childbearing age; ratio of unsafe abortions: 33.2/100 live births). Unsafe abortion presented a declining trend at national level (R2: 94.0%, p < 0.001), with unequal patterns between regions. There was a significant reduction of unsafe abortion in the Northeast (R2: 93.0%, p < 0.001), Southeast (R2: 92.0%, p < 0.001) and Central-West regions (R2: 64.0%, p < 0.001), whereas the North (R2: 39.0%, p = 0.030) presented an increase, and the South (R2: 22.0%, p = 0.340) remained stable. Spatial analysis identified the presence of clusters of municipalities with high values for unsafe abortion, located mainly in states of the North, Northeast and Southeast Regions. CONCLUSIONS Unsafe abortion remains a public health problem in Brazil, with marked regional differences, mainly concentrated in the socioeconomically disadvantaged regions of the country. Qualification of attention to women’s health, especially to reproductive aspects and attention to pre- and post-abortion processes, are necessary and urgent strategies to be implemented in the country.

Epidemiological patterns of mortality due to visceral leishmaniasis and HIV/AIDS co-infection in Brazil, 2000–2011

BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL)-HIV/AIDS co-infection is an emerging health problem with high case fatality. This study presents the epidemiological and clinical aspects of deaths related to VL-HIV/AIDS co-infection in Brazil. METHODS This was a nationwide population-based study based on mortality data obtained from the Brazilian Mortality Information System. We included all deaths between 2000 and 2011 (about 12.5 million), and analyzed those in which VL and HIV/AIDS were mentioned in the same death certificate. RESULTS VL and HIV/AIDS were mentioned in 272 deaths. HIV/AIDS was the underlying cause in 59.6% (162/272) of deaths by VL-HIV/AIDS co-infection, and VL the underlying cause in 39.3% (107/272). Predominating characteristics were: male gender (79.0%, 215/272), age 30-39 years (41.0%, 111/271), brown race/color (61.6%, 159/258) and residence in the Northeast region (47.4%, 129/272). Average annual age-adjusted mortality rate was 0.13 deaths/1 000 000 inhabitants. Deaths were distributed in 20 of 27 Brazilian states. There was an increasing trend of mortality (annual percent change: 16.4%). Infectious/parasitic (58.8%) and respiratory (51.1%) diseases/disorders, particularly sepsis, respiratory failure and pneumonia, were most commonly associated with deaths related to this co-infection. CONCLUSION VL-HIV/AIDS co-infection is an increasing public health problem in Brazil. The systematic description of the epidemiological characteristics and magnitude of mortality related to VL-HIV/AIDS co-infection reflects the need to intensify control measures and disease surveillance.

Tendências da hanseníase no Tocantins, um estado hiperendêmico do Norte do Brasil, 2001-2012

A hanseniase e hiperendemica no Estado do Tocantins, Brasil. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as tendencias dos indicadores da hanseniase no Tocantins em 2001-2012. Analise de dados advindos do Sistema de Informacao de Agravos de Notificacao (SINAN). Incluiram-se casos novos de residentes no Tocantins. Calcularam-se os indicadores da hanseniase e analisaram-se as tendencias temporais por meio de regressao polinomial. Houve tendencia significativa e decrescente para a deteccao geral (R2 = 0,40; p 0,05), deteccao de casos com grau 2 de incapacidade fisica (R2 = 0,37; p > 0,05) e proporcao de casos com grau 2 (R2 = 0,49; p > 0,05). Houve aumento significativo para a proporcao de casos com grau 1 de incapacidade (R2 = 0,82; p < 0,05) e proporcao de casos multibacilares (R2 = 0,81; p < 0,05). O Tocantins apresenta regioes com alta transmissao e diagnostico tardio da hanseniase, apontando a expansao da doenca de forma heterogenea na analise temporal.Leprosy is hyperendemic in the State of Tocantins, Brazil. The aim of the study was to analyze trends in leprosy indicators in Tocantins from 2001 to 2012, based on analysis of data from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), including incident cases living in Tocantins. The study calculated leprosy indicators and analyzed time trends using polynomial regression. There was a significant downward trend in overall case detection (R2 = 0.40; p < 0.05) and proportion of paucibacillary cases (R2 = 0.81). Detection rates remained stable in individuals < 15 years (R2 = 0.48; p > 0.05) and cases with grade 2 physical disability (R2 = 0.37; p > 0.05), as did the proportion of grade 2 cases (R2 = 0.49; p > 0.05). There were significant increases in the proportions of cases with grade 1 disability (R2 = 0.82; p < 0.05) and multibacillary cases (R2 = 0.81; p < 0.05). Tocantins has regions with high transmission and late diagnosis of leprosy, indicating heterogeneous dissemination of the disease in the time trend analysis.

Epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminthiases-related mortality in Brazil.

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas, including Brazil. We performed a nationwide population-based study including all deaths in Brazil from 2000 to 2011, in which STHs (ascariasis, trichuriasis and/or hookworm infection) were mentioned on death certificates, either as underlying or as associated causes of death. Epidemiological characteristics, time trends and spatial analysis of STH-related mortality were analysed. STHs was identified on 853/12 491 280 death certificates: 827 (97·0%) deaths related to ascariasis, 25 (2·9%) to hookworm infections, and 1 (0·1%) to trichuriasis. The average annual age-adjusted mortality rate was 0·34/1 000 000 inhabitants (95% confidence interval: 0·27-0·44). Females, children <10 years of age, indigenous ethnic groups and residents in the Northeast region had highest STH-related mortality rates. Nationwide mortality decreased significantly over time (annual percent change: -5·7%; 95% CI: -6·9 to -4·4), with regional differences. We identified spatial high-risk clusters for STH-related mortality mainly in the North, Northeast and South regions. Diseases of the digestive system and infectious/parasitic diseases were the most commonly associated causes of death mentioned in the STH-related deaths. Despite decreasing mortality in Brazil, a considerable number of deaths is caused by STHs, with ascariasis responsible for the vast majority. There were marked regional differences, affecting mainly children and vulnerable populations.

Mortality related to tuberculosis-HIV/AIDS co-infection in Brazil, 2000-2011: epidemiological patterns and time trends

Co-infection of tuberculosis (TB)-HIV/AIDS is a persistent public health problem in Brazil. This study describes epidemiological patterns and time trends of mortality related to TB-HIV/AIDS co-infection. Based on mortality data from 2000-2011 (almost 12.5 million deaths), 19,815 deaths related to co-infection were analyzed. The average age-adjusted mortality rate was 0.97 deaths/100,000 inhabitants. The highest mortality rates were found among males, those in economically productive age groups, black race/color and residents of the South region. There was a significant reduction in the mortality coefficient at the national level (annual average percent change: -1.7%; 95%CI: -2.4; -1.0), with different patterns among regions: increases in the North, Northeast and Central regions, a reduction in the Southeast and a stabilization in the South. The strategic integration of TB-HIV/AIDS control programmes is fundamental to reduce the burden of mortality related to co-infection in Brazil.

Trends in AIDS-related mortality among people aged 60 years and older in Brazil: a nationwide population-based study

ABSTRACT The success of antiretroviral therapy has led to an increase in the number of older people living with human immunodeficiency virus worldwide. This study analyzed the epidemiological patterns and time trends of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) related mortality in people aged 60 and older in Brazil from 2000 to 2011. Secondary mortality data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System was used to perform a nationwide population-based study, which included all AIDS-related deaths among people aged 60 years and older in Brazil from 2000 to 2011. Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates (per 100,000 inhabitants) were calculated by sex, age group and place of residence. Trends over time were assessed using joinpoint regression analysis. In the 12-year study period, 12,491,280 deaths were recorded in Brazil, of which 144,175 were AIDS-related deaths. A total of 8194 AIDS-related deaths was identified in people aged 60 years and older (0.12% of all deaths and 5.7% of AIDS-related deaths). The overall age-adjusted mortality rate for the period was 4.30 deaths/100,000 inhabitants (95% confidence interval: 3.99–4.64). Males (6.45 deaths/100,000 inhabitants), aged 60–64 years (6.63 deaths/100,000 inhabitants) and residing in the South region (5.94 deaths/100,000 inhabitants) had the highest mortality rates. We observed a significant increase in mortality at the national level and in all the Brazilian regions, with a sharper increase in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged regions of the country, such as the North and Northeast. The findings show that AIDS in older people is an increasing public health problem in Brazil, and reinforce the need to establish public policies for the prevention, early diagnosis and appropriate clinical treatment of this age group.

Tendencias de la lepra en Tocantins, un estado hiperendémico del norte de Brasil, 2001-2012

A hanseniase e hiperendemica no Estado do Tocantins, Brasil. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as tendencias dos indicadores da hanseniase no Tocantins em 2001-2012. Analise de dados advindos do Sistema de Informacao de Agravos de Notificacao (SINAN). Incluiram-se casos novos de residentes no Tocantins. Calcularam-se os indicadores da hanseniase e analisaram-se as tendencias temporais por meio de regressao polinomial. Houve tendencia significativa e decrescente para a deteccao geral (R2 = 0,40; p 0,05), deteccao de casos com grau 2 de incapacidade fisica (R2 = 0,37; p > 0,05) e proporcao de casos com grau 2 (R2 = 0,49; p > 0,05). Houve aumento significativo para a proporcao de casos com grau 1 de incapacidade (R2 = 0,82; p < 0,05) e proporcao de casos multibacilares (R2 = 0,81; p < 0,05). O Tocantins apresenta regioes com alta transmissao e diagnostico tardio da hanseniase, apontando a expansao da doenca de forma heterogenea na analise temporal.Leprosy is hyperendemic in the State of Tocantins, Brazil. The aim of the study was to analyze trends in leprosy indicators in Tocantins from 2001 to 2012, based on analysis of data from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), including incident cases living in Tocantins. The study calculated leprosy indicators and analyzed time trends using polynomial regression. There was a significant downward trend in overall case detection (R2 = 0.40; p < 0.05) and proportion of paucibacillary cases (R2 = 0.81). Detection rates remained stable in individuals < 15 years (R2 = 0.48; p > 0.05) and cases with grade 2 physical disability (R2 = 0.37; p > 0.05), as did the proportion of grade 2 cases (R2 = 0.49; p > 0.05). There were significant increases in the proportions of cases with grade 1 disability (R2 = 0.82; p < 0.05) and multibacillary cases (R2 = 0.81; p < 0.05). Tocantins has regions with high transmission and late diagnosis of leprosy, indicating heterogeneous dissemination of the disease in the time trend analysis.

Leprosy trends in Tocantins, a hyperendemic State in the North of Brazil, 2001-2012

A hanseniase e hiperendemica no Estado do Tocantins, Brasil. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as tendencias dos indicadores da hanseniase no Tocantins em 2001-2012. Analise de dados advindos do Sistema de Informacao de Agravos de Notificacao (SINAN). Incluiram-se casos novos de residentes no Tocantins. Calcularam-se os indicadores da hanseniase e analisaram-se as tendencias temporais por meio de regressao polinomial. Houve tendencia significativa e decrescente para a deteccao geral (R2 = 0,40; p 0,05), deteccao de casos com grau 2 de incapacidade fisica (R2 = 0,37; p > 0,05) e proporcao de casos com grau 2 (R2 = 0,49; p > 0,05). Houve aumento significativo para a proporcao de casos com grau 1 de incapacidade (R2 = 0,82; p < 0,05) e proporcao de casos multibacilares (R2 = 0,81; p < 0,05). O Tocantins apresenta regioes com alta transmissao e diagnostico tardio da hanseniase, apontando a expansao da doenca de forma heterogenea na analise temporal.Leprosy is hyperendemic in the State of Tocantins, Brazil. The aim of the study was to analyze trends in leprosy indicators in Tocantins from 2001 to 2012, based on analysis of data from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), including incident cases living in Tocantins. The study calculated leprosy indicators and analyzed time trends using polynomial regression. There was a significant downward trend in overall case detection (R2 = 0.40; p < 0.05) and proportion of paucibacillary cases (R2 = 0.81). Detection rates remained stable in individuals < 15 years (R2 = 0.48; p > 0.05) and cases with grade 2 physical disability (R2 = 0.37; p > 0.05), as did the proportion of grade 2 cases (R2 = 0.49; p > 0.05). There were significant increases in the proportions of cases with grade 1 disability (R2 = 0.82; p < 0.05) and multibacillary cases (R2 = 0.81; p < 0.05). Tocantins has regions with high transmission and late diagnosis of leprosy, indicating heterogeneous dissemination of the disease in the time trend analysis.