Dialogue between primary and secondary health care providers in a Brazilian hypertensive population

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To describe clinical and epidemiological profiles of patients with hypertension referred to a secondary care unit and to assess the adequacy of the referral criteria. METHOD This descriptive transversal study analysed 943 hypertensive patients referred to a secondary healthcare unit from September 2010 to August 2012. Clinical and sociodemographic data as well as data regarding the liaison between secondary and primary care services were collected. RESULTS Patients' mean age was 59±13.1 years, and 61.3% were female. Sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption, and smoking were observed in 80.3%, 31.1%, and 18.1% of the patients, respectively. Uncontrolled blood pressure was observed in 72.5% of the sample, and 80.1% of individuals were overweight or obese. There was a high prevalence of dyslipidaemia (73.1%), cardiovascular disease (97.5%), and reduced glomerular filtration rate (49.9%). Thirty-eight percent of patients did not meet the referral criteria, of whom approximately 25% were not hypertensive. CONCLUSION Even in a universal-access healthcare system, poor control of hypertension and high prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular diseases were observed. Inadequate referrals and the presence of clinical complications suggest low efficiency of the assistance provided in primary care and reinforce the need for sharing care with the secondary level.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Descrever os perfis clínicos e epidemiológicos de pacientes hipertensos encaminhados para uma unidade de atendimento secundário e avaliar a adequação dos critérios de referência. MÉTODO Estudo transversal que analisou 943 pacientes hipertensos encaminhados a uma unidade de atenção secundária à saúde de setembro de 2010 a agosto de 2012. Foram coletados dados clínicos e sociodemográficos, bem como dados de interlocução entre os serviços de atenção primária e secundária. RESULTADOS A idade média dos pacientes era de 59 ± 13,1 anos e 61,3% eram do sexo feminino. O estilo de vida sedentário, o consumo de álcool e o tabagismo foram observados em 80,3%, 31,1% e 18,1% dos pacientes, respectivamente. A pressão arterial descontrolada foi observada em 72,5% da amostra, e 80,1% dos indivíduos apresentavam excesso de peso. Houve uma alta prevalência de dislipidemia (73,1%), doença cardiovascular (97,5%) e taxa de filtração glomerular estimada reduzida (49,9%). Trinta e oito por cento dos pacientes não atendiam aos critérios de encaminhamento, dos quais aproximadamente 25% não eram hipertensos. CONCLUSÃO Mesmo em um sistema de saúde de acesso universal, observou-se um controle insuficiente da hipertensão e uma alta prevalência de obesidade e doenças cardiovasculares. Encaminhamentos inadequados e a presença de complicações clínicas sugerem uma baixa eficiência da assistência prestada na atenção primária e reforçam a necessidade de compartilhar cuidados com o nível secundário.

Bicytopenia and leukoerythroblastosis: a rare initial presentation of signet ring cell gastric adenocarcinoma

Gastric adenocarcinoma is a common neoplasia and is responsible for up to 30% of the overall deaths due to cancer. Advanced disease is mostly characterized by peritoneum, liver, and lung involvement. The spread of the disease to the bone is rare, and bone marrow dissemination is even rarer. In this setting, leukoerythroblastosis may be the initial manifestation of the disease. The authors report the case of a 64-year-old Caucasian man who sought medical care complaining of back pain, weakness, and weight loss. The physical examination revealed pallor, and the laboratory work-up depicted severe anemia and thrombocytopenia; the peripheral blood smear was consistent with leukoerythroblastosis. The ongoing investigation through a bone marrow biopsy showed massive involvement of the bone marrow by a signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. During hospitalization, the patient presented melena, and an upper digestive endoscopy depicted an ulcerated and infiltrative lesion in the cardia, upon which the histological examination revealed a signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. This case highlights the bone marrow invasion represented by bicytopenia and leukoerythroblastosis as the initial manifestation of this histological type of gastric cancer. Although treatment attempts were made with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the patient died early on, showing the aggressive behavior of this form of tumoral presentation.