Probability of premature death for chronic non-communicable diseases, Brazil and Regions, projections to 2025

Evaluation of quality of life and eating behavior in outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or systemic arterial hypertension: a cross-sectional study

To evaluate the quality of life and eating behavior of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or systemic arterial hypertension treated at a specialized outpatient service in southern Brazil. The cross-sectional study included adults and elderly individuals previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or systemic arterial hypertension. The WHOQOL-bref instrument was used to obtain quality of life. Eating behavior was assessed using the Three-factor Eating Questionnaire-R21. Multiple linear regression and Spearman's correlation were used to examine the relationship between quality of life and eating behavior. And the Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis and multiple linear regression to verify the relationship between quality of life, behavior, sociodemographic and clinical. E o Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between quality of life and eating behavior. A significance level of 5% was adopted for all analyses. A total of 326 participants were included, with a mean age of 57.0 ± 12.2 years, the majority of whom were females (70.9%) and adults (53.4%). Females exhibited worse quality of life, as observed in the domains of 'psychological' (p = 0.000), 'environmental' (p = 0.033), and general quality of life (p = 0.017). In addition, associations were also observed between quality of life and age, education level, and sleep duration. Sleeping less than 8 hours/day was the predictor that most contributed to the decrease in quality of life scores. Cognitive restriction was the dimension of eating behavior with the highest score (44.4); however, only uncontrolled eating (p = 0.000) and emotional eating (p = 0.000) were associated with age. Self-perception of quality of life changed according to gender, age group, sleep duration and eating behavior. The quality of life was inversely correlated with emotional eating and uncontrolled eating.

Determinants of quality of life decrease in family caregivers of care-dependent patients: a longitudinal study

PURPOSE

Family caregivers of care-dependent patients experience a decline in their Quality of Life (QoL). However, the determinants contributing to this decrease in QoL are still not fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate prospectively the determinants contributing to decreased QoL among family caregivers of care-dependent patients.

METHODS

This longitudinal study involved 135 family caregivers in Brazil. Data were collected at baseline from October 2016 to August 2017, and at follow-up from December 2021 to July 2022. During both periods, we administered a questionnaire that covered sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle characteristics of the participants; the Barthel Index to assess the dependency level of the patients; and the WHOQOL-bref to assess the caregivers' QoL.

RESULTS

Both caregivers and care-dependent patients were more frequently elderly (44.4% versus 74.6%), female (79.3% versus 61.5%), and had non-communicable disease (60.0% versus 94.3%) at baseline. Most patients experienced a worsening in their level of dependency (59.8%), while over a third of family caregivers (34.8%) reported a decline in their General Quality of Life Index. Eight determinants of decreased QoL were identified: four protective factors (religious faith, physical activity, sharing caregiving responsibilities, and sufficient sleep) and four risk factors (patient hospitalization in the past year, patient increased care dependency, older family caregiver age, and longer caregiving duration).

CONCLUSION

Many factors influencing caregiver QoL are modifiable through intervention, underscoring the need for public policies to support family caregivers. Healthcare professionals can play a vital role in promoting protective factors and addressing risk factors to enhance caregiver QoL.

Cardiac Biomarkers in a Brazilian Indigenous Population Exposed to Arboviruses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Arthropod-borne viral diseases are acute febrile illnesses, sometimes with chronic effects, that can be debilitating and even fatal worldwide, affecting particularly vulnerable populations. Indigenous communities face not only the burden of these acute febrile illnesses, but also the cardiovascular complications that are worsened by urbanization. A cross-sectional study was conducted in an Indigenous population in the Northeast Region of Brazil to explore the association between arboviral infections (dengue, chikungunya, and Zika) and cardiac biomarkers, including cardiotrophin 1, growth differentiation factor 15, lactate dehydrogenase B, fatty-acid-binding protein 3, myoglobin, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin I, big endothelin 1, and creatine kinase-MB, along with clinical and anthropometric factors. The study included 174 individuals from the Fulni-ô community, with a median age of 47 years (interquartile range 39.0 to 56.0). High rates of previous exposure to dengue, chikungunya, and Zika were observed (92.5%, 78.2%, and 95.4% anti-IgG, respectively), while acute exposure (anti-IgM) remained low. The biomarkers were linked to age (especially in the elderly), obesity, chronic kidney disease, and previous or recent exposure to chikungunya. This study pioneers the use of Luminex xMAP technology to reveal the association between cardiac inflammatory biomarkers and exposure to classical arboviruses in an Indigenous population undergoing urbanization.

Prediction of metabolic syndrome and its associated risk factors in patients with chronic kidney disease using machine learning techniques

INTRODUCTION

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and metabolic syndrome (MS) are recognized as public health problems which are related to overweight and cardiometabolic factors. The aim of this study was to develop a model to predict MS in people with CKD.

METHODS

This was a prospective cross-sectional study of patients from a reference center in São Luís, MA, Brazil. The sample included adult volunteers classified according to the presence of mild or severe CKD. For MS tracking, the k-nearest neighbors (KNN) classifier algorithm was used with the following inputs: gender, smoking, neck circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. Results were considered significant at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 196 adult patients were evaluated with a mean age of 44.73 years, 71.9% female, 69.4% overweight, and 12.24% with CKD. Of the latter, 45.8% had MS, the majority had up to 3 altered metabolic components, and the group with CKD showed statistical significance in: waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose. The KNN algorithm proved to be a good predictor for MS screening with 79% accuracy and sensitivity and 80% specificity (area under the ROC curve - AUC = 0.79).

CONCLUSION

The KNN algorithm can be used as a low-cost screening method to evaluate the presence of MS in people with CKD.

Hospitalisations and fatality due to respiratory diseases according to a national database in Brazil: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Respiratory diseases (RDs) cause millions of hospitalisations and deaths worldwide, resulting in economic and social impacts. Strategies for health promotion and disease prevention based on the epidemiological profile of the population may reduce hospital costs.

AIM

To characterise hospitalisations and deaths due to RDs in Brazilian adults above 20 years old between 2008 and 2021.

METHODS

This ecological study used secondary data of hospitalisations and deaths due to RDs from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System between 2008 and 2021. Data were grouped according to region, age group and sex. The period was divided into first (2008-2011), second (2012-2015) and third (2016-2019) quadrennia and one biennium (2020-2021), and all data were analysed using the GraphPad Prism; statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 9 502 378 hospitalisations due to RDs were registered between 2008 and 2021. The south and southeast regions presented the highest hospitalisation and fatality rate, respectively, in the age group ≥80 years with no significant differences between sexes. Also, RDs caused 1 170 504 deaths, with a national fatality rate of 12.32%.

CONCLUSION

RDs affected the Brazilian population and impaired the health system, especially the hospital environment. The south/southeast regions were the most affected, and the ageing process contributed to the increased incidence of RDs.

Health inequalities in Brazil: proposed prioritization to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

This study aimed to develop a prioritization index to speed up the achievement of national health targets proposed in the 2030 Agenda. This is an ecological study that addressed the Health Regions in Brazil. The index incorporated 25 indicators with analytical proximity to the official indicators of the 2030 Agenda whose data are available from public municipal sources for the period of 2015-2019. According to our study, the index was a powerful method to support health management decisions. The results showed the most vulnerable territories are located in the North Region of the country, and therefore, these are priority areas for resource allocation. The analysis of subindices highlighted local health bottlenecks, reinforcing the need for municipalities in each region to set their own priorities while making decisions for health resource allocation. By indicating Health Regions and priority themes for more investments, this investigation shows paths to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, from the local to the national level, in addition to providing elements that can be used by policy makers to minimize the effects of social inequalities on health, prioritizing territories with worse indices.

Low health literacy and quality of life in patients with systemic arterial hypertension

Purpose

Evaluate the level of health literacy and quality of life of patients with hypertension.

Methods

A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out in the Northeast region of Brazil with 105 patients with hypertension through the SAHLPA-18, S-TOFHLA and MINICHAL tests.

Results

For both literacy tests applied, it can be observed that about 60% of the interviewed patients did not present adequate health literacy. It was found that factors such as increasing age, lower economic class and lower education were associated with a lower level of health literacy. In the evaluation of the quality of life by the MINICHAL, 46.7% of the patients reported that hypertension interferes with quality of life. It was also possible to show that the time of diagnosis (p = 0.04) and the economic class (p = 0.008) influence the quality of life.

Conclusion

Hypertension is a chronic condition that requires continuous treatment and has potential risks of evolving with fatal and non-fatal complications that can affect the patients' quality of life. The data presented reflect the difficulty in understanding and processing health information, which may directly impact on the therapeutic management of hypertension.

Circulating microRNA Related to Cardiometabolic Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review

MicroRNA regulates multiple pathways in inflammatory response, adipogenesis, and glucose and lipid metabolism, which are involved in metabolic syndrome (MetS). Thus, this systematic review aimed at synthesizing the evidence on the relationships between circulating microRNA and risk factors for MetS. The systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020168100) and included 24 case-control studies evaluating microRNA expression in serum/plasma of individuals ≥5 years old. Most of the studies focused on 13 microRNAs with higher frequency and there were robust connections between miR-146a and miR-122 with risk factors for MetS, based on average weighted degree. In addition, there was an association of miR-222 with adiposity, lipid metabolism, glycemic metabolism, and chronic inflammation and an association of miR-126, miR-221, and miR-423 with adiposity, lipid, and glycemic metabolism. A major part of circulating microRNA was upregulated in individuals with risk factors for MetS, showing correlations with glycemic and lipid markers and body adiposity. Circulating microRNA showed distinct expression profiles according to the clinical condition of individuals, being particularly linked with increased body fat. However, the exploration of factors associated with variations in microRNA expression was limited by the variety of microRNAs investigated by risk factor in diverse studies identified in this systematic review.

Chronic respiratory diseases and respiratory symptoms after a mining dam rupture: Brumadinho Health Project

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory symptoms, in Brumadinho, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, after a dam rupture.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study, including a representative sample of adults (aged 18 years and over) in the municipality. Associations were assessed between dependent variables (medical diagnosis of asthma and COPD; symptoms of wheezing, dry cough, and nose irritation) and exploratory variables (sex, age group, smoking habit, having worked at Vale S.A. company before the dam rupture, time and area of residence in relation to the dam rupture). Logistic regression models with odds ratio (OR) calculation and 95% confidence interval were used.

RESULTS

We identified a prevalence of 7.2% of asthma; 3.5% of COPD; 8.8% of wheezing; 23.6% of dry cough; and 31.8% of nose irritation. We observed a greater chance of asthma among women and residents in the affected and mining regions, while a greater chance of COPD was observed in smokers and in those with longer time of residence in the municipality. Among the symptoms, we verified a higher chance of nose irritation among women, while a higher chance of wheezing and dry cough were found among smokers (current and former). Residents of regions affected by the mud reported a greater chance of presenting all the analyzed symptoms. Conversely, level of education was negatively associated with wheezing and dry cough.

CONCLUSION

We found respiratory changes and identified the groups most vulnerable to developing them, which could contribute to directing actions to reduce the population's respiratory problems.

Trends in mortality from heart failure in Brazil: 1998 to 2019

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the trend of mortality from heart failure in Brazilians aged 50 years and over, within 21 years.

METHODS

Ecological study with time series analysis of mortality from heart failure in Brazil, according to regions and Federation Units, in individuals aged 50 years or older in the period from 1998 to 2019. Deaths that had heart failure as the underlying cause (coded as I50 according to the International Classification of Diseases) that occurred during the study period were included in the study. Data were obtained from the Mortality Information System of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Statistical analyses were performed using the Stata 11.1 program, by estimating the mortality rate due to heart failure per 100 thousand inhabitants. In the trend analysis, the Prais-Winsten regression was used.

RESULTS

Between 1998 and 2019, 567,789 deaths from heart failure were recorded in adults aged over 50 years, which corresponds to an average rate of 75.5 per 100 thousand inhabitants. There was a downward trend per sex, regions, and in 23 Federation Units. The highest mortality rates were observed for older ages in all regions of the country.

CONCLUSION

The trend in mortality rates from heart failure among Federation Units and Brazilian regions was downward over 21 years. There was an upward trend in mortality from heart failure in the northern region and in the category "other health facilities."

[Inequalities in risk behaviors for chronic noncommunicable diseases: Vigitel, 2019]

This study analyzes the economic, racial, and geographic inequalities in risk behaviors for chronic non-communicable diseases of Brazilian adults. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with data from the 2019 Vigitel (Risk and Protective Factors Surveillance System for Chronic Noncomunicable Diseases Through Telephone Interview). The analyzed risk behaviors were smoking, alcohol abuse, physical inactivity, overweight, regular consumption of soft drinks or artificial juice drinks, and non-regular consumption of fruits, legumes, and vegetables. Inequalities in risk behaviors were assessed considering Brazilian's schooling level and their dwelling region, via the slope index of inequality (SII). Equiplots graphs were also built to better illustrate the inequalities. Stata svy command was used for all analyses due to the complexity of the sampling process. In total, 52,395 patients were evaluated. Significant inequalities in risk behaviors for chronic non-communicable diseases were observed: most risk behaviors were concentrated in those with low schooling. Smoking and soft drinks consumption were more observed in the Southern region of Brazil. Public policies are necessary to reduce the inequalities found, allowing for improvement in health indicators of the Brazilian population.

Fatores socioculturais que contribuem para a qualidade de vida de cuidadores familiares de adultos dependentes de cuidados crônicos

Objetivo: explorar os fatores socioculturais que contribuem para a qualidade de vida de cuidadores familiares de adultos dependentes de cuidados crônicos no Brasil. Método: estudo qualitativo realizado de outubro de 2016 a março de 2017 em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Vinte e cinco cuidadores familiares de adultos dependentes de cuidados crônicos foram entrevistados por dois pesquisadores por meio de visitas domiciliares. Foi utilizado um roteiro com sete questões abertas relacionadas ao processo de cuidar. As entrevistas foram gravadas em áudio, transcritas e, posteriormente, analisadas por meio da análise de conteúdo. O COREQ foi utilizado para adequação da qualidade estrutural do manuscrito. Resultados: os participantes do estudo relataram diferentes fatores socioculturais que contribuem para sua qualidade de vida. Esses fatores foram categorizados em três categorias principais: O impacto dos construtos socioculturais no processo de cuidar; O autocuidado e suas nuances: velhos desafios para os cuidadores; e Estado e cuidadores: desafios e possibilidades. Conclusões: a qualidade de vida do cuidador é influenciada por suas características e condições socioculturais, apresentando relação com seu modo de viver e de se expressar, sendo, portanto, passível de mudanças. O desenvolvimento de políticas sociais e de saúde para famílias cuidadoras é urgente para a prevenção da sobrecarga familiar e para a promoção de famílias sustentáveis que convivem com doenças crônicas não transmissíveis.

Cancer surveillance in Mato Grosso, Brazil: methodological and operational aspects of a university extension/research project

OBJECTIVE

To describe the methodological and operational aspects of the "Project for surveillance of cancer and its associated factors: population-based and hospital-based registry" (VIGICAN), in the state of Mato Grosso (MT), Brazil.

METHODS

VIGICAN was divided into two projects: a university extension one, which updated the data from the Population-based Cancer Registry (PBCR) of MT in the 2008-2016 period; and a research project, which collected primary data, through individual interviews and analysis of medical records of people with a diagnosis of cancer, aged 18 years or older, treated at reference hospitals for oncology. To analyze the factors associated with cancer, the following variables were collected: socioeconomic and demographic, social support, health status and behavior, and environmental exposure.

RESULTS

In the 2008-2016 period, approximately one hundred thousand cases of cancer (incident and prevalent) were reported in the PBCR Cuiabá and PBCR Interior. After validation procedures, 50 thousand incident cases were elected. The survey interviewed 1,012 patients, 38.2% living in the municipalities of Cuiabá and Várzea Grande, 60.4% in small cities of the state, and 1.4% in other states. Preliminary data showed that the majority were women (55.0%) and younger than 60 years of age (54.3%). Among the interviewees, 7.2% reported smoking tobacco, 15.5% consumed alcoholic beverages (15.5%), and 32.7% lived nearby crops.

CONCLUSION

The development of these projects allowed the integration of education with health services and will enable the recognition of specificities and different exposure scenarios and factors associated with cancer in the Mato Grosso territory.

Mortality from chronic respiratory disease in Brazil: time trend and forecasts

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the time trend of monthly mortality rates from chronic respiratory diseases in Brazil from 1996 to 2017, with forecasts for 2022, besides analyzing the possibility of achieving the goal of the Plano de Ações Estratégicas para o Enfrentamento das Doenças Crônicas Não Transmissíveis no Brasil (Strategic Action Plan to Tackle Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases in Brazil) from 2011 to 2022.

METHODS

This is an ecological study that uses data from Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM - Mortality Information System), Sistema de Informações Demográficas e Socioeconômicas (Demographic and Socioeconomic Information System) and Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios Contínua (PNAD Contínua - Continuous National Household Sample Survey). We established the age range between 30 and 69 years old and the evolution of the rates over time was made by autoregressive integrated moving average models in R statistical tool.

RESULTS

Premature mortality rates from chronic respiratory diseases are decreasing in Brazil as a whole, mostly in state capitals. There is also a trend to reach the Ministry of Health's goal in most of the country. For capitals that tend not to reach the goal, there is an association between mortality and social indicators, healthcare network and frequency of smoking.

CONCLUSION

This study intends to improve planning of the public health system for the control of chronic respiratory diseases.

Diet quality among older adults: What the Index Associated with the Digital Food Guide and the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index-Revised Reveal

The aim of the present study was to compare the Diet Quality Index-Digital Food Guide (DQI-DFG) to a more widely used measure in the literature: the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index-Revised (BHEI-R). A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted with 822 older adults (≥ 60 years) from the city of Campinas/SP, Brazil. The BHEI-R resulted in a higher overall score compared to DQI-DFG (62.9 vs. 47.7). For the BHEI-R, mean scores increased with age and were worse among smokers and individuals with a higher level of schooling. Regarding the DQI-DFG scores, no significant associations with age, schooling or smoking were detected; however, scores were higher in higher income segments. The components with the worst scores were whole grains, sodium and milk (BHEI-R); fruits, whole grains, roots/tubers, milk, refined cereals and red meat/processed (DQI-DFG). Divergences were found in the global scores and components of the indicators, reflecting important methodological differences. Studies of this nature constitute an opportunity to increase awareness regarding indicators of particular aspects of diet.

Premature mortality due to four main non-communicable diseases and suicide in Brazil and its states from 1990 to 2019: A Global Burden of Disease Study

INTRODUCTION

The goal of reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) requires close monitoring. Our objective is to characterize the decline of premature NCD mortality in Brazil based on Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) Study 2019 estimates.

METHODS

We used GBD 2019 data to estimate death rates of the four main NCDs - cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. We estimated the unconditional probability of death between ages 30 to 69, as recommended by the World Health Organization, as well as premature crude- and age-standardized death rates and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost for these conditions. We also estimated trends in suicide (self-harm) death rates.

RESULTS

From 2010 to 2019, the age-standardized unconditional probability of premature death declined -1.4%/year (UI: -1.7%;-1.0%) . Age-standardized death rates declined -1.5%/year (UI: -1.9%; -1.2%), and crude death rates -0.6%/year (UI: (-1.0%; -0.2%). Level of development correlated strongly with the rate of decline, with greatest declines occurring in the Southeast, Center West and South regions. Age-standardized mortality from self-harm declined, most notably in the elderly.

CONCLUSIONS

Premature mortality due to the main NCDs has declined from 1990 in Brazil, although at a diminishing rate over time. The unconditional probability of death and the age-standardized mortality rate produced similar estimates of decline for the four main NCDs, and mirror well decline in mortality from all NCDs. Declines, especially more recent ones, fall short of the international goals. Strategic public health actions are needed. The challenge to implement them will be great, considering the political and economic instability currently faced by Brazil.

Associação entre avaliação positiva da atenção primária à saúde e características sociodemográficas e comorbidades no Brasil

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a avaliação positiva da atenção primária à saúde (APS) no Brasil na ótica dos usuários e sua associação com as características sociodemográficas e comorbidades. Métodos: Análise da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019, com amostra de 9.562 adultos que responderam ao primary care assessment tool (PCATool). Foi testada a associação entre avaliação positiva da APS (escore geral ≥6,6) e características individuais, sendo utilizadas as razões de prevalência (RP) calculadas por meio de regressão de Poisson. Resultados: Menos de 40% dos brasileiros avaliaram a APS com escore alto. No que se refere à associação das variáveis sociodemográficas com a avaliação elevada da APS, ajustada por sexo e idade, encontrou-se que a melhor avaliação da APS ocorreu entre mulheres [RPaj 1,10 (intervalo de confiança de 95% — IC95% 1,00–1,21)]; idosos (60 anos ou mais) [RPaj 1,27 (IC95% 1,09–1,48)]; pessoas com renda per capita de um a três salários mínimos (SM) [RPaj 1,14 (IC95% 1,03–1,27)] e ≥5 SM [RPaj 1,75 (IC95% 1,39–2,21)] quando comparadas com renda até um SM; e moradores das regiões Sul, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste em relação à Região Norte. Considerando as variáveis de comorbidades, avaliaram bem a APS indivíduos com hipertensão [RPaj 1,29 (IC95% 1,17–1,43)]; diabetes [RPaj 1,21 (IC95% 1,08–1,36)]; doença cardíaca [RPaj 1,23 (IC95% 1,07–1,41)]; distúrbio osteomuscular [RPaj 1,36 (IC95% 1,10–1,69)]; doença do pulmão [RPaj 1,48 (IC95% 1,13–1,95)] e obesidade [RPaj 1,15 (IC95% 1,03–1,28)] em comparação com pessoas eutróficas. Conclusão: Usuários que avaliaram bem a APS são mulheres, idosos, com prevalências elevadas de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. A avaliação positiva da APS, em geral, resulta da maior utilização dos serviços de saúde.

Doenças respiratórias crônicas e sintomas respiratórios após rompimento de barragem de mineração: Projeto Saúde Brumadinho

RESUMO: Objetivo: Identificar fatores associados a asma, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) e sintomas respiratórios em Brumadinho (MG), após rompimento de barragem. Métodos: Estudo transversal com amostra representativa de adultos. Verificaram-se associações entre variáveis dependentes (diagnóstico médico de asma e DPOC e os sintomas chiado no peito, tosse seca e irritação nasal) e variáveis exploratórias (sexo, faixa etária, tabagismo, ter trabalhado na Vale S.A. antes do rompimento da barragem, tempo e área de residência em relação ao rompimento da barragem). Modelos de regressão logística com cálculo da odds ratio e intervalo de confiança de 95% foram empregados. Resultados: Identificou-se prevalência de asma de 7,2%, de DPOC de 3,5%, de chiado no peito de 8,8%, de tosse seca de 23,6% e de irritação nasal de 31,8%. Maior chance de asma foi observada no sexo feminino e nos residentes em área diretamente atingida pela lama e área de mineração, enquanto maior chance de DPOC foi vista nos fumantes e naqueles com maior tempo de residência no município. Entre os sintomas, maior chance de irritação nasal foi observada no sexo feminino, e de chiado no peito e tosse seca em fumantes (atuais e no passado). Residentes em área atingida pela lama relataram maior chance de apresentarem todos os sintomas analisados. Já a escolaridade apresentou associação negativa com chiado no peito e tosse seca. Conclusão: O estudo mostrou alterações respiratórias e identificou os grupos com maior vulnerabilidade para desenvolvê-las, podendo contribuir com o direcionamento de ações para a redução de problemas respiratórios da população.

Vigilância do câncer em Mato Grosso, Brasil: aspectos metodológicos e operacionais de um projeto de extensão/pesquisa

RESUMO: Objetivo: Descrever os aspectos metodológicos e operacionais do projeto “Vigilância do câncer e seus fatores associados: registro de base populacional e hospitalar” (VIGICAN), em Mato Grosso (MT). Métodos: O VIGICAN desdobrou-se em dois projetos: um de extensão, que atualizou os dados dos Registros de Câncer de Base Populacional (RCBP) de Mato Grosso no período de 2008 a 2016; e um de pesquisa, que coletou dados primários por meio de entrevistas individuais e análise de prontuários de pessoas com diagnóstico de câncer, com 18 anos ou mais, atendidas em hospitais de referência para oncologia. Para analisar os fatores associados ao câncer, foram coletadas as seguintes variáveis: socioeconômicas e demográficas, suporte social, situação e comportamentos de saúde e exposição ambiental. Resultados: No período de 2008 a 2016, foram notificados nos RCBP Cuiabá e Interior, aproximadamente, 100 mil casos de câncer (incidentes e prevalentes). Após os procedimentos de validação, foram eleitos 50 mil casos incidentes. A pesquisa entrevistou 1.012 pacientes, sendo 38,2% residentes nos municípios de Cuiabá e Várzea Grande, 60,4% no interior do Estado e 1,4% em outros Estados. Os dados preliminares revelaram que a maioria era do sexo feminino (55,0%) e tinha menos de 60 anos (54,3%). Entre os entrevistados, 7,2% relataram fumar tabaco, 15,5% consumiam bebidas alcoólicas (15,5%) e 32,7% moravam próximo a lavouras. Conclusão: O desenvolvimento desses projetos permitiu a integração do ensino com os serviços de saúde e possibilitará o reconhecimento das especificidades e dos diferentes cenários de exposição ao câncer, bem como fatores associados a ele, no território mato-grossense.

Association between positive assessment of Primary Health Care, sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities in Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe positive evaluations of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Brazil from the perspective of users and their association with sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities. Methods: Analysis of the 2019 National Health Survey, in which 9,562 adults responded to the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool). The association between positive PHC assessment (overall score ≥6.6) and individual characteristics was tested using Prevalence Ratios (PR) calculated by Poisson Regression. Results: Less than 40% of Brazilians rated PHC with a high score. Regarding the association of sociodemographic variables with high PHC assessment, adjusted for sex and age, the best PHC assessments were made by women [PRaj 1.10 (95%CI 1.00–1.21)]; elderly (60 years and over) [PRaj 1.27 (95%CI 1.09–1.48); people with a per capita income of 1 to 3 minimum wages (MW) PRaj 1.14 (95%CI 1.03–1.27) and ≥5 MW PRaj 1.75 (95%CI 1.39–2.21) when comparing with income up to 1 MW; residents of the South, Southeast and Midwest regions, compared to the North Region. Considering comorbidities, individuals with hypertension PRaj1,29 (95%CI 1.17–1.43); diabetes PRaj 1.21 (95%CI 1.08–1.36); heart disease PRaj 1.23 (95%CI 1.07–1.41); musculoskeletal disorders PRaj 1.36 (95%CI 1.10–1.69); lung disease PRaj 1.48 (95%CI 1.13–1.95) and obesity PRaj 1.15 (95%CI 1.03–1.28) rated PHC better when compared to normal weight people. Conclusion: Users who evaluate PHC well are usually women, elderly, with high prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases. A positive evaluation of PHC, in general, results from greater use of health services.

Prevalência de consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados, álcool, tabaco e doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em Rio Branco, Acre, 2019: análise comparativa de dois inquéritos epidemiológicos

Resumo Objetivo Descrever, comparativamente, as prevalências de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados, álcool e tabaco, estimadas pelo Sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico (Vigitel) e pela Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS), em Rio Branco, Acre, Brasil. Métodos Estudo transversal, sobre dados sociodemográficos, de saúde e estilo de vida de inquéritos realizados em 2019. Foram descritas as prevalências e intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%), e calculadas as diferenças percentuais. Resultados Dos 3.037 indivíduos avaliados, observaram-se prevalências similares com diferença para pessoas de raça/cor da pele parda, entre Vigitel (60,3%; IC95% 56,2;64,3) e PNS (70,8%; IC95% 67,4;73,9). Na estratificação por sexo, diferenças percentuais entre os inquéritos foram observadas para obesidade (masculino= 6,5%; feminino= 0,4%), tabagismo (masculino= 4,0%; feminino= -1,5%) e consumo abusivo de álcool (masculino= 6,9%; feminino= -2,5%), embora com IC95% sobrepostos. Conclusão As estimativas avaliadas em ambos os inquéritos foram similares.

The role of health literacy as a factor associated with tooth loss

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to analyze the role of health literacy (HL) as a factor associated with tooth loss among users of the Brazilian Health System with chronic non-communicable diseases.

METHODS

The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with adult and elderly users chosen at ten Family Health Clinics in a draw in the town of Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil. A questionnaire was applied with sociodemographic data (sex, age, skin color and education), behavioral data (brushing and flossing), determinants in health (type of dental health services and how often) and clinical data (pain). Mouth conditions were collected by intraoral examination of visible dental biofilm and community Pediodontal Index. The systemic clinical conditions (blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and blood pressure) were extracted from the medical records. The explanatory variable was HL (low, medium and high), measured with the Health Literacy Scale (HLS-14).

RESULTS

The outcome was tooth loss measured by the index of decayed, missing and filled teeth. Logistic regression was performed using a conceptual model for HL (p < 0.05). For the 238 subjects, the mean age was 62.7 years (± 10.55). Tooth loss was associated with HL in regression models adjusted by type of dental service, dental frequency, and dental floss. In the final model, the factors associated with tooth loss are older age (OR = 1,12; 95%CI: 1,07-1,17), a lower education (OR = 3,43; 95%CI: 1,17-10,10), irregular use of dental floss (OR = 4,58; 95%CI: 1.75 in-7,31), irregular use of dental services (n = 2,60; 95% 1,32-5,12), periodontal pocket (> 4 mm) (n = 0,31; 95%CI: 0,01-0,08), having visible dental biofilm (OR = 7,23; 95%CI: 3,19-16,41) and a higher level of blood sugar (glucose) (n = 1,98; 95%CI: 1.00-3,92).

CONCLUSIONS

tooth loss was associated with HL when adjusted by health behaviors; when sociodemographic variables and clinical conditions were included, it was less significant. In the final model, behaviors, determinants in health and clinical conditions were risk indicators of tooth loss, showing the multifactorial nature of this phenomenon.

Biopsychosocial inequality, active lifestyle and chronic health conditions: a cross-sectional National Health Survey 2013 in Brazil

This study estimated the biopsychosocial factors related to active physical behavior in the Brazilian population with and without chronic non-transmissible disease (NCD). Cross-sectional study of the National Health Survey (NHS) in Brazil, with 60,202 individuals in 2013. Participants were randomly selected by complex sampling. The outcome was physically active behavior measured by performing a minimum of 150 min of physical exercise per week. The independent variables were social and psychological characteristics, lifestyle and health. Cox regression was applied to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR). There are 29,666 (48.3%; 95% CI 47.0–50.0) participants reported having NCD. Not being a smoker or alcoholic, living in an urban area (PR = 1.44; CI95% 1.23–1.68/PR = 1.38; CI95% 1.08–1.75), having informal social support (PR = 1.26; CI95% 1.10–1.44/PR = 1.19; CI95% 1.05–1.34), A social class (PR = 0.43; CI95% 0.25–0.73/PR = 0.46; CI95% 0.26–0.80), high schooling (PR = 0.34; CI95% 0.23–0.51/PR = 0.33; CI95% 0.24–0.46) as well as paid work (PR = 0.87; CI95% 0.78–0.96/PR = 0.89; CI95% 0.79–0.99) are more associated with active lifestyle in both groups. However, only in the group without NCD, the male sex (PR = 1.42; CI95% 1.28–1.57), no having some disability (PR = 1.31; CI95% 1.03–1.66) and having private health insurance (PR = 1.26; CI95% 1.13–1.41) were more associated with active behavior, while in the group with NCD, being elderly (PR = 1.22; CI95% 1.05–1.42), not be white (PR = 0.85; CI95% 0.77–0.95) and not having restful sleep (PR = 1.23; CI95% 1.08–1.40) are associated with active lifestyle. People with and without NCD in Brazil have very close active behavior, however, some biopsychosocial factors such as: sex, age, lifestyle, socioeconomic level are unevenly associated with the active lifestyle in the groups. Thus, therapeutic or preventive proposals as well as public policies for health promotion must observe these distinctions when elaborating their actions.

Association between deficient and insufficient 25(OH)D serum concentrations and cardiometabolic risk factors: Findings of a population-based study with older adults of southern Brazil

To investigate the association between deficient and insufficient serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF), considering that both conditions are important predictors of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. A cross-sectional study with a subsample of 526 older adults (63-93 years old) who participated in the second wave of the population-based longitudinal study EpiFloripa Idoso. The CMRF analyzed were abdominal obesity, high fasting glucose, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and high LDL-cholesterol. The exposure variable was 25(OH)D serum concentration (≤20 ng/mL = deficient; 21-29 ng/mL = insufficient, ≥30-<100 ng/mL = sufficient). The prevalences of 25(OH)D deficiency and insufficiency were estimated at 21.9% and 43.7%, respectively. The adjusted OR of prevalence of the abdominal obesity (OR 1.99;1.12-3.54), high blood pressure (OR 2.58;1.35-4.94) and high LDL-cholesterol (OR 2.73;1.63-4.6) were higher among those with deficient serum concentration of 25(OH)D. Participants with insufficient serum concentrations of 25(OH)D also presented higher adjusted OR of prevalence for abdominal obesity (OR 2.14;1.31-3.48). No significant adjusted association was found between 25(OH)D with the outcomes high fasting glucose and high triglycerides. Significant effect modification/interaction by age was also observed in the tested associations for abdominal obesity (P < 0.001), blood pressure (P < 0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.001), in which deficient and insufficient 25(OH)D values were associated with higher values of these FRCM. 25(OH)D serum concentrations between 30 and 100 ng/mL can contribute to preventing and controlling CMRF such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure and high LDL-cholesterol. The understanding this particular interaction may indicate ways to prevent/control cardiometabolic outcomes, health problems common in the older adults.

Tabagismo em idosos

Introdução: o tabagismo é um grave problema de saúde pública em âmbito mundial que afeta a todas as faixas etárias, causando altas taxas de morbimortalidade evitáveis.Objetivo: descrever o que vem sendo publicado sobre o tabagismo na população idosa nos últimos cinco anos na esfera internacional.Metodologia: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, onde foram realizadas buscas de artigos nas seguintes bases de dados: PUBMED/MEDLINE, BVS/LILACS, SCOPUS e SCIELO, utilizando os seguintes Descritores em Ciências da Saúde em inglês: “Tobacco Use Cessation” OR “Tobacco Use Disorder” AND “Health of the Elderly” OR “Aged” OR “Aged, 80 and over”. O recorte temporal foi de 2016 a 2020.Resultados: dos 1.642 trabalhos recuperados das bases, houve o afunilamento para um número total de 18 artigos, com a seguinte categorização: mortalidade e outros desfechos clínicos negativos (5); o tabagismo, as síndromes geriátricas e outras patologias (4); políticas públicas para o controle do tabaco (3); qualidade de vida e tabagismo (3); e fatores preditores para cessação tabágica (3).Conclusões: apenas um estudo selecionado foi realizado no Brasil, ressaltando a necessidade de mais estudos brasileiros envolvendo o tabagismo na população idosa objetivando uma melhor compreensão dos aspectos envolvidos e futuras capacitações e otimização de políticas públicas específicas.

Description of e-Health Initiatives to Reduce Chronic Non-Communicable Disease Burden on Brazilian Health System

Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) account for 72% of the causes of death in Brazil. In 2013, 54 million Brazilians reported having at least one NCD. The implementation of e-Health in the Unified Health System (SUS) could fill gaps in access to health in primary health care (PHC). Objective: to demonstrate telehealth strategies carried out within the scope of the Institutional Development Support Program of the Unified Health System (PROADI-SUS) and developed by Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, between 2018 and 2021, on evaluation, supply, and problem-solving capacity for patients with NCDs. Methodology: a prospective and descriptive study of three projects in the telehealth areas, using document analysis. The Brasil Redes project used availability, implementation, and cost-effectiveness analysis, TELEconsulta Diabetes is a randomized clinical trial, and Regula Mais Brasil is focused on the waiting list for regulation of specialties. All those strategies were developed within the scope of the SUS. Results: 161 patients were attended by endocrinology teleconsultation in one project and another two research projects, one evaluating Brazil’s Telehealth Network Program, and another evaluating effectiveness and safety of teleconsultation in patients with diabetes mellitus referred from primary care to specialized care in SUS. Despite the discrepancy in the provision of telehealth services in the country, there was an increase in access to specialized care on the three projects and especially on the Regula Mais Brasil Collaborative project; we observed a reduction on waiting time and favored distance education processes. Conclusion: the three projects offered subsidies for decision-making by the Ministry of Health in e-Health and two developed technologies that could be incorporated into SUS.

Educational disparities in hypertension, diabetes, obesity and smoking in Brazil: a trend analysis of 578 977 adults from a national survey, 2007-2018

OBJECTIVES

Our study aimed to assess social inequality trends for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking and obesity from 2007 to 2018 in adults from Brazilian capitals.

SETTING

Data from the Surveillance of Risk and Protection Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey study, a cross-sectional telephone survey, conducted annually from 2007 to 2018.

PARTICIPANTS

We used data from 578 977 Brazilian adults (≥18 years).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional surveys conducted annually from 2007 to 2018.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants responded to a questionnaire about medical diagnosis of hypertension and diabetes, smoking status, weight and height. Educational inequalities (0-3, 4-8, 9-11 and 12 or more years of study) by sex and skin colour were assessed trough absolute, Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and relative measures of inequality, Concentration Index and trends were tested by Prais-Winsten.

RESULTS

All outcomes were more prevalent in the least educated. The largest absolute educational inequality was observed for hypertension (SII_total=-37.8 in 2018). During 2007-2018, the total educational disparity remained constant for hypertension, increased for diabetes and smoking, and decreased for obesity. Overall, inequality was higher among women and non-whites, compared with men and whites. We found a reduction in absolute inequality for hypertension among non-whites, an increase for diabetes in all strata, and an increase for smoking in women and non-whites. The relative inequality decreased in women and whites and increased for smoking in all strata, except among men.

CONCLUSION

The educational inequality reduced for obesity, remained constant for hypertension and increased for diabetes and smoking from 2007 to 2018 in Brazilian adults.

"Inequalities in access to medicines for diabetes and hypertension across the capitals in different regions of Brazil: a population-based study"

BACKGROUND

To guarantee prevention and adequate treatment, as required for the population to have access to health services and technologies, including medicines. The purpose of this study is to analyse the economic and regional inequalities in access to medicines for diabetes and hypertension among the adult population in Brazil.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study with adults aged 18 and over from the VIGITEL study conducted in 2019 in all Brazilian regions. Non-access to antidiabetic and antihypertensive drugs was assessed according to formal education and housing macro-region. The slope index of inequality (SII) was used to analyse absolute inequalities.

RESULTS

The total number of individuals interviewed was 52,443. Approximately 10.0% of the people with diabetes and/or hypertension reported not having access to drug treatment. The major means for having access to antihypertensive drugs, in all regions, was private pharmacies; for antidiabetics, in the North region, people had greater access through private pharmacies, while in the Northeast, Southeast and South, they had greater access through the public sector. Inequalities were found in the lack of access to medicines according to the region of residence, especially in the North region.

CONCLUSION

The lack of access to medicines showed regional disparities, particularly in the most economically vulnerable regions.

Premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases in Brazilian municipalities estimated for the three-year periods of 2010 to 2012 and 2015 to 2017

OBJECTIVE

To estimate premature mortality due to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Brazilian municipalities.

METHODS

This ecological study estimated premature mortality rates due to cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer and diabetes in Brazilian municipalities, for the three-year periods of 2010 to 2012 and 2015 to 2017, and it analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution of these rates. Data treatment combined proportional redistribution of the missing data and ill-defined causes, and the application of coefficients for under-registration correction. The local empirical Bayesian estimator was used to calculate municipal mortality rates.

RESULTS

Rates for the set of chronic diseases decreased in Brazil between the three-year periods. The mean rates for total NCDs declined in the South, Southeast and Central-West regions, remained stable in the North and increased in the Northeast. Mortality rates due to cardiovascular diseases were the highest in all regions but showed the greatest declines between the periods. Cancers were the second leading cause of death. The North and Northeast regions stood out as having increased mean rates of cancer between the periods analyzed and showing the highest mean premature mortality rates due to diabetes in the 2015 to 2017 period.

CONCLUSION

Spatial and temporal distribution of premature mortality rates due to NCDs differed between Brazilian municipalities and regions in the three-year periods evaluated. The South and Southeast had decreased rates of deaths due to cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, as well as diabetes. The North and Northeast had increased rates of deaths due to cancer. There was an increase in the rate of deaths due to diabetes in the Central-West.

[Time trend in inequalities in smoking and abusive alcohol consumption in Brazil's state capitals]

This was a time trend study aimed at assessing inequalities in smoking and abusive alcohol consumption, considering schooling as a proxy for socioeconomic status, according to sex and region of Brazil. The study used data from the Risk and Protective Factors Surveillance System for Chronic Non-Comunicable Diseases Through Telephone Interview (Vigitel) survey collected from 2006 to 2017. The outcomes were abusive alcohol consumption and smoking. The inequalities were assessed based on schooling, with double stratification by sex and major geographic region. Weighted linear least squares regression was used to assess the trend in prevalence of outcomes and their inequalities. Prevalence of abusive alcohol consumption increased in women, from 7.8% in 2006 to 12.2% in 2017 and was consistently higher among individuals with more schooling. Prevalence of smoking decreased in both men and women and was consistently higher among those with less schooling. Inequality in alcohol consumption between schooling groups appears to have increased over time, higher in women, but inequality in smoking appears to have decreased. In some regions of Brazil, the measures of inequality suggest stability and in others an increase in inequality in alcohol consumption (Southeast, South, and Central regions in women) and a decrease in smoking (all regions except the Southeast in men; Northeast and Central in women). Despite the strides in smoking reduction, inequalities persist in schooling and are also present in alcohol consumption. The outcomes show opposite trends, so strategies should focus on each of the problems in order to reduce existing inequalities.

Estratégias para redução do consumo de nutrientes críticos para a saúde: o caso do sódio

Doenças crônicas não transmissíveis correspondem à principal causa de morte no mundo e têm a alimentação inadequada como um de seus principais fatores de risco modificáveis, destacando-se o consumo excessivo de sódio e sua associação com doenças cardiovasculares, mediadas pela pressão arterial. Este estudo avaliou o impacto de diferentes cenários de políticas para a redução do consumo de sódio com base em alimentos processados e ultraprocessados na prevenção de mortes por desfechos cardiovasculares na população adulta no Brasil. Foram utilizados dados secundários, de relatórios e bases públicas do Sistema Único de Saúde e de inquéritos populacionais. Foram analisados os impactos, até 2027, de três cenários: manutenção das atuais metas voluntárias, e dois cenários mandatórios, considerando as menores metas nas Américas e as menores metas mundiais. Para a análise das mortes prevenidas ou adiadas com base no consumo de sódio em tais cenários foi utilizado o Preventable Risk Integrated ModEl (PRIME). Em 2027, mais de 72 mil mortes seriam atribuíveis ao excesso de sódio e as metas voluntárias resultariam na prevenção ou adiamento de até 4.001 (intervalos de 95% de incerteza - II95%: 1.611-6.563) mortes, e os cenários mandatórios resultariam na prevenção de 9.704 (II95%: 3.955-15.665) e 15.561 (II95%: 6.350-25.096) mortes por doenças cardiovasculares, considerando as menores metas regionais e internacionais, respectivamente. Os achados sugerem que a manutenção de metas voluntárias tem impacto limitado quando comparada a cenários possíveis e mais restritivos de redução do teor de sódio em alimentos processados e ultraprocessados, e reforçam a necessidade de adoção de medidas com maior efetividade no país.

Projection of premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases for 2025: a model based study from Hunan Province, China, 1990-2016

Background

In 2011, the United Nations set a target to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025. While studies have reported the target in some countries, no studies have been done in China. This study aims to project the ability to reach the target in Hunan Province, China, and establish the priority for future interventions.

Methods

We conducted the study during 2019–2020. From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016, we extracted death data for Hunan during 1990–2016 for four main NCDs, namely cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. We generated estimates for 2025 by fitting a linear regression to the premature mortality over the most recent trend identified by a joinpoint regression model. We also estimated excess premature mortality attributable to unfavorable changes over time.

Results

The rate of premature mortality from all NCDs in Hunan will be 19.5% (95% CI [19.0%–20.1%]) by 2025, with the main contributions being from CVD (8.2%, 95% CI [7.9%–8.5%]) and cancer (7.9%, 95% CI [7.8%–8.1%]). Overall, it will be impossible to achieve the target, with a relative reduction of 16.4%. Women may be able to meet the target except with respect to cancer, and men will not except with respect to chronic respiratory diseases. Most of the unfavorable changes have occurred since 2008–2009.

Discussion

More urgent efforts, especially for men, should be exerted in Hunan by integrating population-wide interventions into a stronger health-care system. In the post lock-down COVID-19 era in China, reducing the NCD risk factors can also lower the risk of death from COVID-19.

Adjuvant electrochemotherapy after debulking in canine bone osteosarcoma infiltration

Osteosarcoma is a bone cancer considered rare to humans, but common in dogs. Dogs and humans share genetic homology and environmental risk factors. Improving the treatment of osteosarcoma in dogs could also be relevant to improve procedures in humans. Traditional treatments of osteosarcoma involve surgery and chemotherapy. Such treatments are commonly aggressive and not possible for many patients. Electrochemotherapy emerges as a minimally invasive, effective, and safe treatment alternative. Electrochemotherapy combines applications of high-intensity electric fields during short periods with anti-cancer drugs to improve its medicine cytotoxicity. Analyzing the electric field distribution, as well as electric current density, are essential to electrochemotherapy success. This paper brings the first case of a canine osteosarcoma treatment performed with bleomycin and electrochemotherapy. We performed in silico studies with finite element method software to observe the electric field distribution. In silico experiments help to verify possibilities and limitations of treating bone destruction and macro or micro tumor infiltrations around the primary tumor mass. Results show that both needle or plate electrodes are feasible to remove the tumor even with invasion into the bone. Plate electrodes perform well in treating micro infiltrations when associated with conductive gel and direct contact between electrode and bone (without soft tissues). Needle electrodes are effective in treating tumor infiltration on external cortical bone. Multiple applications are needed to cover all cranium layers with sufficient electric field intensity. Electrochemotherapy protocol with needle or plate electrodes does not present sufficient electric current density capable of affecting brain tissue, even in cases of bone destruction.

Physical inactivity as a risk factor for all-cause mortality in Brazil (1990-2017)

Background

The aim of this study was to estimate the mortality from all causes as a result of physical inactivity in Brazil and in Brazilian states over 28 years (1990–2017).

Methods

Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study for Brazil and states were used. The metrics used were the summary exposure value (SEV), the number of deaths, age-standardized mortality rates, and the fraction of population risk attributable to physical inactivity.

Results

The Brazilian population presented risk of exposure to physical inactivity of (age-standardized SEV) of 59% (95% U.I. 22–97) in 1990 and 59% in 2017 (95% U.I. 25–99). Physical inactivity contributed a significant number of deaths (1990, 22,537, 95% U.I. 12,157–34,745; 2017, 32,410, 95% U.I. 17,976–49,657) in the analyzed period. These values represented mortality rates standardized by age (per 100,000 inhabitants) of 31 (95% U.I. 17–48) in 1990 and 15 (95% U.I. 8–23) in 2017. From 1990 to 2017, a decrease in standardized death rate from all causes attributable to physical inactivity was observed in Brazil (− 52%, 95% U.I. − 54 to − 49). The Brazilian states with better socioeconomic conditions presented greater reductions in age-standardized mortality (male: rho = 0.80; female: rho 0.84) over the period of 28 years.

Conclusions

These findings support the promotion of physical activity in the Brazilian population for the prevention of early mortality.

Sex differences in the association between self-reported sleep duration, insomnia symptoms and cardiometabolic risk factors: cross-sectional findings from Brazilian longitudinal study of adult health

Background

The U-shaped associations between sleep durations and cardiometabolic risk factors (glycated hemoglobin levels, obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension and cholesterol levels) are still inconclusive. Moreover, as sleep is comprised of quantitative and qualitative aspects, exploring both insomnia symptoms and sleep duration are relevant when evaluating the potential effects of sleep problems on health. The aim was to evaluate sex-specific associations between sleep problems and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from wave two of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), including 7491 women and 6232 men. Questionnaires were administered to provide information about socioeconomic conditions, lifestyle, and sleep characteristics. A 12-h fasting blood sample was drawn to measure serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and glycated hemoglobin. Blood pressure, weight and height were also measured using standard equipment. Generalized additive models were used to evaluate the curve shape of the relationship between self-reported sleep duration and the outcomes. Logistic regression was performed to investigate the magnitude of the associations of self-reported sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, and short sleep plus insomnia symptoms with cardiometabolic risk factors.

Results

For women, self-reported sleep duration and insomnia symptoms (either separately or linked to short sleep duration) were associated with obesity, hypertension and glycated hemoglobin after adjusting for the confounders. The magnitudes of the associations between self-reported short sleep duration plus insomnia symptoms and the outcomes were slightly increased, considering sleep duration or insomnia symptoms separately. For men, both long sleep duration and insomnia symptoms were associated with hypertriglyceridemia after adjusted for the confounders.

Conclusion

These findings suggest possible sex-specific patterns, since obesity, hypertension and high glycated hemoglobin were associated with self-reported sleep duration and insomnia symptoms in women, but not in men, and reinforce the importance of considering quantitative and qualitative aspects of sleep for the prevention and management of the outcomes.

Fatores associados à condição de acamado em idosos brasileiros: resultado da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2013

Resumo Objetivo Identificar os fatores associados à condição de acamado entre idosos brasileiros, analisando-se condições socioeconômicas e de saúde e utilização de serviços de saúde. Método Estudo transversal com dados secundários provenientes da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (2013). Contou com a população de indivíduos com ≥60 anos (n=11.177). A condição de acamado foi considerada variável dependente e as características sociodemográficas, condições de saúde e utilização de serviços médicos como independentes. Foram realizadas análises de regressão logística, e reportada a razão de chance bruta (RCbruta) e ajustada (RCajustada) com o intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%). Resultados Verificou-se que 4,9% dos idosos eram acamados. Essa condição mostrou-se associada ao sexo masculino (RCajustada=1,45; IC95%=1,13-1,84), analfabetismo (RCajustada=1,37; IC95%=1,11-1,70) e quantidade de doenças crônicas, sendo idoso com cinco ou mais doenças crônicas apresentava 4,96 (IC95%=2,78-8,85) mais chances do que os sem doença. As doenças associadas à condição acamado foram: episódio de acidente vascular cerebral (RCajustada=3,03; IC95%=1,29-8,43), diagnóstico de hipertensão arterial sistêmica (RCajustada=1,71; IC95%=1,31-2,24), alterações nos níveis de colesterol (RCajustada=2,08; IC95%=1,37-3,17) e depressão (RCajustada=5,64; IC95%=2,42-13,14). Ainda, idosos que precisaram de atendimento relacionado à própria saúde (RCajustada=16,94; IC95%=7,15-40,16), internamento (RCajustada=8,10; IC95%=4,20-15,54) e atendimento emergencial no domicílio nos últimos 12 meses (RCajustada=1,78; IC95%=4,20-15,54) e que consideraram a condição de saúde geral ruim (RCajustada=2,68; IC95%=2,05-3,51) apresentaram mais chances de ser acamado. Conclusão o estudo permitiu identificar importantes fatores associados à condição acamado de idosos brasileiros com destaque para sexo e escolaridade, as variáveis clínicas de doenças crônicas, e utilização mais frequente de serviços de saúde.