ABSTRACT
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the time elapsed from first symptoms to the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancer (OOC) and to identify variables associated with treatment delay. This is an observational study with retrospective and prospective data collection. Patients with a diagnosis of OOC seen at the Head and Neck Surgery outpatient clinic of a Brazilian public hospital were included and followed up to treatment initiation. Participants answered a questionnaire for the collection of socioeconomic, demographic, cultural, and clinical information, as well as information about the time elapsed from first symptoms to the first appointment with a head and neck surgeon. Time to treatment was classified into four intervals: 1- first symptoms to first medical appointment; 2- first medical appointment to specialized medical care; 3- specialized medical care to preparation for treatment; and 4- preparation for treatment to treatment initiation. Bivariate statistics were computed. Out of 100 participants, nine died before treatment. Mean time to treatment was 217 days. Highest mean time was observed for interval 2 (94 days), followed by interval 1 (63 days), interval 4 (39 days), and interval 3 (21 days). At interval 1, a longer time was associated with severe alcohol consumption, severe smoking, and family history of cancer. At interval 2, the delay was associated with appointment with a general practitioner, clinical diagnosis of disease other than cancer, and antibiotic prescription. At interval 4, delay in treatment was associated with surgical treatment. Patients with OOC experience delays from symptom onset to treatment initiation. The longest interval was associated with professional delay, followed by patient delay in help-seeking.
ABSTRACT
No Brasil, registros hospitalares de câncer revelam a boca como a oitava localização mais frequente de tumores malignos, sendo a maioria delas diagnosticada em estádio avançado. Em países desenvolvidos, as taxas de diagnóstico tardio são cerca de 40%. O diagnóstico e tratamento precoces representam mais chance de cura, baixo custo emenos morbidade. Este artigo objetiva verificar as possíveis razões de atraso no diagnóstico e tratamento das neoplasias bucais e refletir sobre os seus motivos. Os termos neoplasias bucais, diagnóstico, epidemiologia e terapia foram introduzidos nas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS e SCIELO. Foram analisados 31 estudos, entre 1995 e 2011,que discorriam sobre o atraso diagnóstico em relação ao paciente, ao profissional e ao sistema de saúde. Observou-se que o atraso diagnóstico associou-se a: a) pacientes: solteiros, etilistas e com medo do diagnóstico; b) médico: pouco conhecimento sobre o assunto e alta carga de trabalho; c) sistema de saúde: filas para atendimento médico, distância de unidades de saúde e centros de referência da moradia do paciente e experiênciasnegativas no serviço de saúde. É fundamental entender as possíveis causas de atraso e limitações dos serviços de saúde e de seus profissionais para que medidas adequadas sejam tomadas individual e coletivamente para propiciar diagnóstico e tratamento precoce aos pacientes.
In Brazil, hospital cancer records reveal the mouth as the eighth most frequent location of malignant tumors, most of them being diagnosed at advanced stages. In developed countries, diagnosis of late rates is about 40%. Early diagnosis and treatment represent increased chances of a cure, low cost, and less morbidity. This article aims to assess thepossible reasons for delays in the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer and reflects on the reasons. The terms mouth neoplasias, diagnosis, epidemiology, and therapy were introduced in the MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO databases. A total of 31 studies published between 1995 and 2011 were analyzed, which discoursed about the delayed diagnosis in relation to patients, professionals, and healthcare systems. It was observedthat the diagnostic delay was associated with: a) patients: single, alcoholic, and afraid of the diagnosis; b) Professionals: little knowledge on the subject and high workload; c) healthcare systems: queues for medical care, distance between the patient?s residence and healthcare units and reference centers, and negative experiences in the healthcareservice. It is critical to understand the possible causes of delay and limitations of healthcare services and its professionals for appropriate actions to take place individually and collectively providing early diagnosis and treatment to these patients.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Epidemiological studies on amebiasis have been reassessed since Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar were first recognized as distinct species. Because the morphological similarity of these species renders microscopic diagnosis unreliable, additional tools are required to discriminate between Entamoeba species. The objectives of our study were to compare microscopy with ELISA kit (IVD®) results, to diagnose E. histolytica infection, and to determine the prevalence of amebiasis in a sample of students from southeastern Brazil. Methods: In this study, diagnosis was based on microscopy due to its capacity for revealing potential cysts/trophozoites and on two commercial kits for antigen detection in stool samples. Results: For 1,403 samples collected from students aged 6 to 14 years who were living in Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil, microscopy underestimated the number of individuals infected with E. histolytica/E. dispar (5.7% prevalence) compared with the ELISA kit (IVD®)-based diagnoses (15.7% for E. histolytica/E. dispar). A comparison of the ELISA (IVD®) and light microscopy results returned a 20% sensitivity, 97% specificity, low positive predictive value, and high negative predictive value for microscopy. An ELISA kit (TechLab®) that was specific for E. histolytica detected a 3.1% (43/1403) prevalence for E. histolytica infection. Conclusions: The ELISA kit (IVD®) can be used as an alternative screening tool. The high prevalence of E. histolytica infection detected in this study warrants the implementation of actions directed toward health promotion and preventive measures. .