Prevalência e fatores associados à asma em escolares de Montes Claros, MG, Brasil / Prevalence and factors associated with asthma in students from Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Resumo Investigou-se a prevalência de asma e fatores relacionados ao seu desenvolvimento em escolares de 6 a 14 anos residentes em área central e periférica da cidade de Montes Claros, MG e cadastrados no programa Estratégia da Saúde da Família. Na primeira etapa, aplicou-se o questionário escrito padrão do através de questionários do ISSAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) para coleta de dados pessoais, renda e prevalência de asma, rinite alérgica e eczema (N = 1131). Na segunda etapa (estudo do tipo caso-controle) dividiu-se a amostra em asmáticos (A; N = 172) e não asmáticos (NA; N = 379) para avaliar potenciais fatores associados à ocorrência de asma na população utilizando-se o questionário complementar do ISAAC fase II. Realizou-se também teste cutâneo de hipersensibilidade imediata (TCHI) e parasitológico. As razões de probabilidade (RP) estimadas por análise multivariada mostraram que os casos de asma estavam relacionados à frequência no jardim de infância, tabagismo intradomiciliar, antecedente familiar, rinite e resposta positiva ao TCHI. Conclui-se que na população estudada a prevalência da asma não está apenas relacionada à predisposição genética, mas também é associada ao histórico do indivíduo, sua condição social, exposição a poluentes como fumaça de tabaco e resposta positiva a alérgenos.

Abstract We investigated the prevalence of asthma and factors related to asthma development in schoolchildren aged 6 to 14, living in central and peripheral areas of the city of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais and who were registered with the Family Health Strategy program. Initially, a standard written questionnaire, based on ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood), was administered to collect personal data, information regarding income, asthma prevalence, allergic rhinitis and eczema (N = 1,131). Secondly, a case-control study was performed by grouping the patients as either asthmatic (A; N = 172) or non-asthmatic (NA; N = 379). Potential factors associated with the occurrence of asthma were evaluated using the complementary questionnaire from ISAAC phase II. Skin tests for immediate hypersensitivity (STIH) and parasitological tests were also performed. The odds ratio, estimated by multivariate analysis, indicated that asthma cases were related to kindergarten attendance, household smoking, family history of asthma, rhinitis and positive STIH. It was concluded that, in the studied population, the prevalence of asthma was related to genetic predisposition, in addition to individual history, social demographics, exposure to pollutants such as tobacco smoke and a positive response to allergy testing.

Ambiente látex seguro: relato de dois casos / Latex safe environment: report of two cases

Introdução: a anafilaxia é a forma mais grave de manifestação alérgica e constitui verdadeira emergência médica. A alergia ao látex aumentou muito nos últimos 30 anos, paralelamente ao emprego de produtos derivados no ambiente da saúde, com especial destaque para as luvas. Simultaneamente, medidas preventivas e terapêuticas surgiram no âmbito da Anestesiologia para o adequado manejo de pacientes suscetíveis à alergia ao látex, desde a avaliação pré-anestésica, até a alta hospitalar. A magnitude das reações ao látex varia desde inofensivas placas cutâneas, até o dramático colapso cardiovascular. 1 Objetivo: descrever a abordagem pré-operatória de dois pacientes alérgicos ao látex, com ênfase no preparo da sala de cirurgia látex seguro (?latex free?) na Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte e fazer breve revisão bibliográfica sobre a alergia ao látex e suas implicações para o anestesiologista. Métodos: foram selecionados dois casos recentes, abordados em março e abril de 2012, e solicitada autorização por escrito dos pacientes. Para a revisão bibliográfica, foram procuradas publicações indexadas nacionais e estrangeiras sobre o tema. Conclusão: a alergia ao látex representa um problema real, de incidência de 0,2% na população geral, sem considerar os indivíduos com fatores de risco. Assim, medidas preventivas e terapêuticas devem ser do conhecimento do anestesiologista, para o adequado manejo de pacientes susceptíveis. Nesse contexto, merece especial destaque o ambiente látex seguro como principal alternativa preventiva.

Introduction: Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic manifestation and constitutes a true medical emergency. Allergy to latex has increased a lot in the last 30 years parallel to the use of derivative products in healthcare environments with particular emphasis on gloves. At the sametime, preventive measures and therapies have emerged within the Anesthesiology for the appropriate management of patients with allergy to latex, from the pre-anesthetic assessment to hospital discharge. The magnitude of the reactions to latex range from harmless skin plates todramatic cardiovascular collapse.1 Objective: to describe the preoperative approach in two patients allergic to latex, with emphasis on the preparation of an operating room as latex safe (?latex free?) at the Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte and to present a brief bibliographical review about latex allergy and its implications for the anesthesiologist. Methods: we selected two recent cases, in March and April of 2012, and requested written consent from these patients. The literature review included a search of indexed domestic and foreign publications on the topic. Conclusion: latex allergy represents a real problem with 0.2% incidence in the general population, without considering individuals with risk factors. Thus, preventive and therapeutic measures should be known to the anesthesiologist for the appropriate management of susceptible patients. Therefore, latex safe environments deserve special mention as the main preventive alternative.

Anaphylaxis in Latin America: a report of the online Latin American survey on anaphylaxis (OLASA)

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the Online Latin American Survey of Anaphylaxis (OLASA) were to identify the main clinical manifestations, triggers, and treatments of severe allergic reactions in patients who were seen by allergists from July 2008 to June 2010 in 15 Latin American countries and Portugal (n =634). RESULTS: Of all patients, 68.5 percent were older than 18 years, 41.6 percent were male, and 65.4 percent experienced the allergic reaction at home. The etiologic agent was identified in 87.4 percent of cases and predominantly consisted of drugs (31.2 percent), foods (23.3 percent), and insect stings (14.9 percent). The main symptom categories observed during the acute episodes were cutaneous (94.0 percent) and respiratory (79.0 percent). The majority of patients (71.6 percent) were treated initially by a physician (office/emergency room) within the first hour after the reaction occurred (60.2 percent), and 43.5 percent recovered in the first hour after treatment. Most patients were treated in an emergency setting, but only 37.3 percent received parenteral epinephrine alone or associated with other medication. However, 80.5 percent and 70.2 percent were treated with corticosteroids or antihistamines (alone or in association), respectively. A total of 12.9 percent of the patients underwent reanimation maneuvers, and 15.2 percent were hospitalized. Only 5.8 percent of the patients returned to the emergency room after discharge, with 21.7 percent returning in the first 6 hours after initial treatment. CONCLUSION: The main clinical manifestations of severe allergic reactions were cutaneous. The etiologic agents that were identified as causing these acute episodes differed according to age group. Following in order: drugs (31.2 percent), foods (23.3 percent and insect stings (14.9 percent) in adults with foods predominance in children. Treatment provided for acute anaphylactic reactions was not appropriate. It is necessary to improve educational programs in order to enhance the knowledge on this potentially fatal emergency.

Prevalência da infecção tuberculosa em universitários da Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais / Prevalence of tuberculosis infection in students at the State University in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer a taxa de infecção pelo bacilo da Tuberculose entre estudantes dos dois primeiros e dois últimos períodos dos cursos de Medicina e Enfermagem da Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, além de verificar o conhecimento sobre a transmissão e prevenção da tuberculose ocupacional, bem como a utilização destas medidas preventivas. Realizou-se estudo transversal, em que todos os estudantes dos dois períodos iniciais e dois períodos finais do curso de Medicina e de Enfermagem foram submetidos a um questionário padrão e ao teste tuberculínico (PPD), para determinar a prevalência de infecção por tuberculose. Os resultados mostraram diferença de reação ao teste tuberculínico nos estudantes dos períodos iniciais e finais do curso médico, enquanto nos estudantes de Enfermagem não houve diferença entre os períodos. Ficou evidenciado o limitado conhecimento sobre a transmissão e prevenção da aquisição de tuberculose, o que aumenta os riscos de aquisição do bacilo.

The study aimed to identify the tuberculosis infection rate among students from the first and last two years in the Schools of Medicine and Nursing at the State University in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in addition to verifying their knowledge on transmission and prevention of occupational tuberculosis and the use of the recommended preventive measures. A cross-sectional study was conducted in which all the students from the first and last two years of Medicine and Nursing answered a standard questionnaire and had a tuberculin skin test (TST) to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis infection. The results showed a difference in the TST reactivity rate between the first and final years of medical school, while there was no difference in nursing students. The study revealed the students' limited knowledge concerning tuberculosis transmission and prevention, leaving them at increased risk of tuberculosis infection.