Atherothrombosis risk factors in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on oxygen therapy / Fatores de risco para aterotrombose em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica em oxigenoterapia

The objective of the study was to identify risk factors for atherothrombosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on oxygen therapy. 62 patients of the UFU-HC Home Care program were included. COPD was diagnosed through clinical aspects added with an altered spirometry (FEV1/FVC ≤ 0.7 post BD). The following risk factors for atherothrombosis were evaluated: body composition (body weight, BMI, WCI), fasting glucose, plasmatic lipid profile (TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides), tobacco use disorder, sedentarism, rest blood pressure, 6-minute walk test, CRP, FEV1, rest HR, hypoxemia and Framingham score. The mean weight (kg) was 59.3 ± 15.3 with a BMI of 24.4 ± 5.5 and WHR of 1.0 ± 0.1. The risk factors: TC, LDL-C, triglycerides, fasting glucose, systemic BP and tobacco use disorder were equally distributed between the groups and only HDL-C was significantly lower in men. The Framingham score was higher and with statistically significant variation in men. The other variables were also equally distributed between men and women, except the FEV1, which was lower in men. It was concluded that men with COPD on oxygen therapy have a higher Framingham score than women. The lower HDL-C and FEV1 in men represents an elevated risk for atherothrombosis. Lower FEV1, higher CRP and hypoxemia were found in the studied population and represent risk factors for atherothrombosis.

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar fatores de risco para aterotrombose em pacientes com DPOC em oxigenoterapia. Foram incluídos 62 pacientes do programa de Assistência Domiciliar HC - UFU. A DPOC foi diagnosticada através da clínica com alteração na espirometria (VEF1/CVF ≤ 0.7 pós BD). Foram avaliados os fatores de risco para aterotrombose: composição corporal (peso corporal, IMC e ICQ), glicemia de jejum, perfil lipídico plasmático (CT, LDL-C, HDL-C e triglicérides), tabagismo e carga tabágica, sedentarismo, pressão arterial sistêmica de repouso, teste de caminhada de 6 minutos, PCR, VEF1, FC repouso, hipoxemia e escore de Framingham. A média de peso (kg) foi 59,3 ± 15,3 com IMC de 24,4 ± 5,5 e ICQ de 1,0 ± 0,1. Os fatores de risco: elevação de TG, CT, LDL-C, glicemia de jejum, pressão arterial sistêmica e o tabagismo estavam, igualmente, distribuídos entre os grupos, sendo que, apenas o HDL-C foi significativamente mais baixo no homem. O escore de Framingham foi maior e com diferença estatisticamente significante no sexo masculino. As demais variáveis estudadas também estavam distribuídas entre homens e mulheres, igualmente, exceto quanto ao VEF1, que foi mais baixo no homem. Concluiu-se que homens com DPOC e em oxigenioterapia apresentam escore de Framingham mais elevado do que as mulheres. A redução de HDL-C e VEF1 em homens representa um acréscimo no risco para aterotrombose. O VEF1 reduzido, PCR aumentada e hipoxemia foram características encontradas em toda a população estudada e, também, representam fatores de risco para aterotrombose.

Use of licit and illicit drugs at the university of Alfenas

This paper reports the study of drug consumption carried out within the population of undergraduate students from 2 colleges of Alfenas, in the state of Minas Gerais state. Both licit and illicit drugs were studied, including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, crack, inhalants, glue, tranquilizers, stimulants, and others. METHODOLOGY: The research included a wide bibliographical search and the application of a questionnaire to approximately 23 percent of the students (total of 6500 students). RESULTS: A total of 1500 students participated in this investigation. The results demonstrated that there was a significant consumption of both licit and illicit drugs. The pattern of drug consumption in the research sample was similar to other investigations conducted in Brazil and in other countries. DISCUSSION: It was observed that 55 percent of the university students use drugs. However, the most surprising finding was that most of the students (88 percent) answered "yes" to the inquiry, "Have you already tried any type of drug, including alcohol and cigarettes?" The students revealed that they had taken drugs even prior to the admission to the university. The results suggest clearly that the university environment does not necessarily represent the starting point for student drug consumption