Pharmaceutical Care Practice and Consequences on Quality of Life and Satisfaction of Diabetic Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract The pursuit of quality of life, which has become marked in recent years, has translated into important population health benefits. This study assessed the quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) who received pharmaceutical care, and their satisfaction with the service provided in community pharmacies. This single blind, randomized controlled clinical trial included 100 patients. The intervention group (N=47) received pharmaceutical care by a clinical pharmacist and the control group (N=42) received standard care. The Quality of Life Diabetes Questionnaire (DQOL) was used to measure all participants´ quality of life at study enrollment and six months later. Satisfaction of the participants in the intervention group was measured using a validated 14-items questionnaire. At the end of the study, participants in the intervention group had a statistically significant improvement in DQOL scores ( -0.62 x 1.57, p < 0.001) and were highly satisfied with the intervention (96% excellent satisfaction scores). Pharmaceutical care practice was associated with high satisfaction and increased quality of life scores in T2DM patients. These results underscore the important role of pharmacists to improve the health of diabetic patients.

The renoprotective effect of oral Tadalafil pretreatment on ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effect of tadalafil in renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats Methods: Group I/R saline rats (n=6) were subjected to 45 minutes of left renal ischemia and treated with saline; the I/R tadalafil rats (n=6) received oral 10mg/kg tadalafil microemulsion one hour before ischemia. In both groups, 8 hours after ischemia, laboratory analysis were performed Results: Better tissue perfusion was lower in ischemic left/kidney than in right/kidney in saline group, suggesting reduced kidney clearance. Fluorescence in left/kidneys of tadalafil treated rats was lower than in right/kidneys (difference not significant). The fluorescence signal intensity in kidneys of tadafil treated rats was higher than in saline rats. TNF-α levels were significantly lower in I/R tadalafil group rats compared to I/R saline group (154±10.3 vs 391.3±12.3), as well as IL-1β (163.4±13.2 vs 279±11.5pg/dL), and IL-6 (122.9±8.1 vs 173.7±6.3 respectively; p=0.0001). Urea, creatinine and C-reactive protein were significantly lower in tadafil treated rats then in saline group Conclusion: Tadalafil therapy decreased the expression of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines in a renal I/R rodent model, while improving kidney function proofs.

Antibacterial properties and healing effects of Melipona scutellaris honey in MRSA-infected wounds of rats

ABSTRACT PURPOSE : To investigate the antimicrobial, immunological and healing effects of Melipona scutellaris honey on infected wounds of rat skin. METHODS: Twenty four Wistar rats were distributed in four groups (6-each). The uninfected skin wounds of group I rats were treated daily with saline for 7 days. Uninfected wounds (group II) rats were treated with honey. In group III (treated with saline) and group IV (treated with honey) wounds were inoculated with MRSA ATTC43300. The first bacterial culture was performed 24 hours later. In the 7th day new culture was done, and wound biopsies were used for cytokines dosage and histopathology. RESULTS: In group I and III rats the CFU/g count of S. aureus in wounds was zero. In group II rats the CFU/g counts in the wound tissue were significantly higher than in wounds of group IV rats. The density histopathological parameters and the expression of TNF-α, IL1-β, Il-6 were significantly higher on wounds of group IV then in the other groups. CONCLUSION: Honey of Melipona scutellaris was effective in the management of infected wounds, by significant bacterial growth inhibition, enhancement of cytokine expression, and positively influenced the wound repair.

Prática do abortamento entre adolescentes: um estudo em dez escolas de Maceió (AL, Brasil) / Practice of abortion among teenagers: a study in ten schools of Maceió (AL, Brazil)

Trata-se de um estudo de corte transversal, realizado com o objetivo de investigar as razões que levaram adolescentes a provocarem o aborto, relacionando com idade e tipo de escola que frequentavam. A amostra foi calculada considerando o número de internações para curetagem pós-abortamento. Usou-se como instrumento um questionário semiestruturado, anônimo, aplicado em dez escolas, sorteadas dentre todas da cidade de Maceió (Alagoas), pesquisando-se adolescentes dos 12 aos 19 anos, do sexo feminino. Os dados foram analisados pelo Programa Epi Info, usando-se odds ratio e risco relativo para verificar associação entre variáveis e intervalo de confiança a 95 por cento. Em uma amostra de 2.592 jovens, 559 (21,6 por cento) tinham vida sexual ativa, 182 (7,0 por cento) referiram ter engravidado e 149 (26,7 por cento) abortado. Medo da reação dos pais, idade, falta de apoio do companheiro e rejeição da gravidez foram razões para provocar o aborto, sendo medo a mais citada, em ambos os tipos de escola. O aborto foi mais citado nas escolas públicas, sendo significativo e protetor o risco para abortar antes dos 15 anos, e significativa a relação entre abortar e estudar em escolas públicas. O medo da reação dos pais como razão mais frequente sugere a necessidade de novos estudos sobre sexualidade e comunicação entre pais e filhos.

This is a cross-cut study that was carried out with the objective of investigating the causes through which adolescents have provoked abortion, relating it to age and the type of school attended. The sample was calculated by taking into account the number of hospital admissions for post-abortion curettage. A semi-structured and anonymous questionnaire was used as a research instrument which was applied in ten schools randomly chosen among all schools, of Maceió (Alagoas, Brazil), to reach 12-19 years old female teenagers. The data were assessed by the Epi Info Program making use of odds ratio and a relative risk to verify any association among variables and a confidence interval at 95 percent. At a sample of 2,592 adolescents, 559 (21.6 percent) had an active sexual life, 182 (7.0 percent) informed to have been pregnant and 149 (26.7 percent) to have aborted. The fear of the parents' reaction, age, lack of support of the partner and pregnancy rejection were the explanation to stimulate abortion. Fear was the most mentioned cause in both types of school. Abortion was more mentioned in public schools, being significant and protective the risk of aborting before the age of 15. The fear of the parents' reaction as a frequent cause suggests the necessity for additional studies on sexuality and communication between parents and children.

Anormalidades cardiovasculares e metabólicas em pacientes com a síndrome de Berardinelli-Seip / Cardiometabolic abnormalities in patients with berardinelli-Seip syndrome / Anormalidades cardiovasculares y metabólicas en pacientes con el síndrome de Berardinelli-Seip

Fundamento: A síndrome de Berardinelli-Seip (SBS) ou lipodistrofia generalizada congênita acomete, frequentemente, o aparelho cardiovascular e também promove anormalidades metabólicas que envolvem os metabolismos glicídico e lipídico. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência das anormalidades cardiovasculares e metabólicas em portadores da SBS. Métodos: Vinte e dois pacientes do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (Brasil), com diagnóstico da SBS, foram submetidos a avaliação clínica, eletrocardiograma de repouso, ecodopplercardiograma, radiografia de tórax, eletrocardiografia dinâmica de 24 horas, teste ergométrico e análise laboratorial. Resultados: Os pacientes eram, predominantemente, adultos jovens, sendo a maioria do sexo feminino. A totalidade da amostra apresentou resistência à insulina, acanthosis nigricans e HDL-colesterol diminuído. A presença de esplenomegalia, hepatomegalia, diabetes mellitus tipo II e triglicérides elevados era constante. A síndrome metabólica foi caracterizada na maioria dos pacientes, com predominância no sexo feminino e com um alto grau de consanguinidade paterna. A hipertensão arterial sistêmica e a pré-hipertensão foram encontradas em mais da metade dos pacientes (77,3 por cento). O ecodopplercardiograma mostrou a presença de hipertrofia concêntrica do ventrículo esquerdo (50 por cento), hipertrofia excêntrica do ventrículo esquerdo (4,5 por cento) e geometria normal do ventrículo esquerdo (45,5 por cento). Elevada taxa de arritmia foi evidenciada no holter, tais como extrassístoles ventriculares, extrassístoles supraventriculares e taquicardia supraventricular sustentada. A incompetência cronotrópica (54,5 por cento) foi observada no teste ergométrico. Conclusão: Anormalidades cardiovasculares e metabólicas foram observadas em elevada prevalência em indivíduos jovens e assintomáticos com SBS. Esses achados apontam para a necessidade de acompanhamento cardiológico sistemático e de medidas preventivas nesse grupo de risco.

Background: Berardinelli-Seip syndrome (BSS) or Generalized Congenital Lipodystrophy often affects the cardiovascular system and also promotes metabolic abnormalities involving glycidic and lipid metabolisms. Objective: To assess the prevalence of cardiometabolic abnormalities in patients with BSS. Methods: Twenty-two patients from the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, diagnosed with BSS, underwent clinical evaluation, resting electrocardiogram, echodopplercardiogram, chest X-ray, 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring, exercise testing and laboratory analysis. Results: The patients were predominantly young adults, most of whom women. The whole sample showed insulin resistance, acanthosis nigricans and diminished HDL-cholesterol. The presence of splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, type II diabetes and elevated triglycerides was constant. Metabolic syndrome was characterized in most patients, which were predominantly women and with a high degree of paternal consanguinity. SAH and prehypertension blood pressure were found in more than half of the patients (77.3 percent). The echodopplercardiogram showed the presence of CLVH (50 percent), eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy (4.5 percent), and normal left ventricular geometry (45.5 percent). High arrhythmia rates were observed by Holter monitoring, such as ventricular ectopic beats, supraventricular ectopic beats and sustained supraventricular tachycardia. Chronotropic incompetence (54.5 percent) was observed during exercise testing. Conclusion: A high prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities was observed in young asymptomatic individuals with BSS. These findings point to the need for systematic cardiological follow-up and of preventive measures in this high-risk group.

Fundamento: El síndrome de Berardinelli-Seip (SBS) o lipodistrofia generalizada congénita, afecta frecuentemente el aparato cardiovascular y también promueve anormalidades metabólicas que involucran los metabolismos glucídico y lipídico. Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia de las anormalidades cardiovasculares y metabólicas en portadores de SBS. Métodos: Veintidós pacientes del Estado de Rio Grande do Norte (Brasil), con diagnóstico de SBS, se sometieron a evaluación clínica, electrocardiograma de reposo, ecocardiograma doppler, radiografía de tórax, electrocardiografía dinámica de 24 horas, ergometría y análisis de laboratorio. Resultados: Los pacientes eran, predominantemente, adultos jóvenes, siendo en su mayoría del sexo femenino. La totalidad de la muestra presentó resistencia a la insulina, acanthosis nigricans y HDL-colesterol disminuido. La presencia de esplenomegalia, hepatomegalia, diabetes mellitus tipo II y triglicéridos elevados era constante. El síndrome metabólico se caracterizó en la mayoría de los pacientes, con predominancia en el sexo femenino y con un alto grado de consanguinidad paterna. En más de la mitad de los pacientes (77,3 por ciento) se encontraron hipertensión arterial sistémica y la prehipertensión. El ecocardiograma Doppler mostró presencia de hipertrofia concéntrica del ventrículo izquierdo (50 por ciento), hipertrofia excéntrica del ventrículo izquierdo (4,5 por ciento) y geometría normal del ventrículo izquierdo (45,5 por ciento). Se evidenció tasa elevada de arritmia en el holter, tales como extrasístoles ventriculares, extrasístoles supraventriculares y taquicardia supraventricular sostenida. La incompetencia cronotrópica (54,5 por ciento) se observó en la ergometría. Concludión: Anormalidades cardiovasculares y metabólicas se observaron en elevada prevalencia en individuos jóvenes y asintomáticos con SBS. Estos hallazgos señalan la necesidad de seguimiento cardiológico sistemático y de medidas preventivas...

Alteraçõs cardiovasculares e metabólicas da lipodistrofia generalizada congênita (Síndrome de Seip-Berardinelli / Cardiovascular and metabolic aspects of congenital generalized lipodystrophy (Seip-Berardinelli Syndrome)

A lipodistrofia é uma doença bem pouco estudada pela comunidade médica nacional e internacional. O surgimento de lesões do tipo de lipodistrofia adquirida associada ao uso de terapia retroviral nos portadores de HIV tem despertado maior interesse pela investigação nesta área. O objetivo deste artigo de atualização é descrever os aspectos cardiovasculares que acometem uma classe de pacientes portadores da forma de lipodistrofia generalizada congenita (LGC) também denominada de sindrome de Seip-Berardinelli. Inicialmente serão enfatizados os tipos conhecidos de lipodistrofias para, que em seguida, ser apresentado os relatos de casos encontrados na literatura, desde 1885 ate os dias atuais. As anormalidades cardiovasculares nos portadores desta sindrome são frequentes, sendo observada a presença de hipertensão arterial sistêmica, hipertrofia ventricular esquerda, cardiomiopatia hipertrófica e cardiomiopatia dilatada. Diabetes mellitus, hiperglicemia e hipertrigliceridemia também são ferquentes.