Factors associated with survival in patients with visceral leishmaniasis treated at a reference hospital in northern Minas Gerais - Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a public health problem and is a relevant cause of death in developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the 20-year survival and predictors of worse prognosis in patients with VL admitted to a reference hospital for the treatment of infectious diseases between 1995 and 2016 in northern Minas Gerais, an area of high endemicity for VL. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a hospital in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. All patients with VL were evaluated over a 20-year period. The medical records were thoroughly analyzed. Cox regression analysis was performed to estimate factors associated with the probability of survival. Results: The cohort included 972 individuals, mostly male children <10 years old, from urban areas who presented at admission with the classic triad of fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and skin pallor. The mean hemoglobin level was 7.53 mg/dl. The mean interval between symptom onset and hospital admission was 40 days. The instituted therapies ranged from pentavalent antimonates to amphotericin, or both. The probability of survival was reduced to 78% one year after symptom onset. Hemoglobin levels and age were strongly associated with the probability of survival. Conclusions: Regardless of the mechanism underlying the reduction in hemoglobin and the non-modifiable factors of age, early initiation of drug treatment is the most appropriate strategy for increasing survival in patients with VL, which challenges health systems to reduce the interval between the onset of symptoms and hospital admission.

Development and validation of an instrument to assess the knowledge of general practitioners and pediatricians about photoprotection and solar radiation

Abstract Background The knowledge of general practitioners about photoprotection is unknown. Objectives To develop and validate an instrument to evaluate the knowledge of general practitioners and pediatricians about photoprotection, gauging the knowledge of these professionals. Methods The study followed the steps: (1) Literature identification and item elaboration related to the theme; (2) Content validation; (3) Apparent validation; (4) Construct validation: internal consistency analysis and discriminatory analysis; (5) Reliability analysis. In Step 4, the instrument was applied to 217 general practitioners and pediatricians who worked in the host city of the study; the scores were compared with dermatologists scores. Results The final instrument had 41 items and showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.780), satisfactory reproducibility and good test-retest reliability (good-to-excellent kappa statistic in more than 60% of items). The discriminatory analysis registered a mean score of 54.1 points for dermatologists and 31.1 points for generalists and pediatricians, from a total of 82 possible points, representing a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Generalists and pediatricians demonstrated an understanding of the relationship between excessive sun exposure and skin cancer, but they revealed lack of technical information necessary for their professional practice. Study limitations The instrument evaluates only knowledge, without evaluating the conduct of the participants. Conclusion The results show that the instrument has good internal consistency and good reproducibility. It could be useful in the identification of general practitioners and pediatricians knowledge gaps on the subject, for the subsequent development of training and educational strategies.

Adesão ao tratamento clínico ambulatorial da hipertensão arterial sistêmica / Compliance with outpatient clinical treatment of hypertension

Objetivo Analisar adesão ao tratamento clínico ambulatorial da hipertensão arterial.Métodos Estudo transversal, onde foram estudadas variáveis demográficas, socioeconômicas e de conhecimento sobre a doença. Aplicou-se Teste de Morisky-Green (TMG) para medir adesão, e regressão logística múltipla, identificando os fatores associados à adesão.Resultados Observou-se homogeneidade entre adesão/não adesão quanto ao sexo, faixa etária, estado civil, cor/raça, escolaridade, atividade profissional, número de pessoas na casa e ocupação. Evidenciou-se associação significativa entre renda e adesão ao tratamento (p=0,039). Os hipertensos orientados pelos agentes comunitários de saúde apresentaram 2,21 vezes mais chance de não adesão à medicação quando comparados aos orientados pela equipe e ajustados a renda de não/adesão à medicação (OR= 2,21; IC 1,08 -4,85; p=0,033).Conclusão A renda e as orientações prestadas pelos agentes comunitários de saúde interferiram na adesão, havendo necessidade de capacitação e oferecimento de práticas de captação de renda e mudança de hábitos.

Objective Assessing the compliance with outpatient treatment of hypertension.Methods Cross-sectional study in which were studied demographic and socioeconomic variables, as well as of knowledge about the disease. The Morisky-Green Test (MGT) was applied to measure the compliance with treatment, and multiple logistic regression to identify factors associated with it.Results There was homogeneity between compliance/non-compliance regarding gender, age, marital status, color/race, education, professional activity, number of people in the household and occupation. There was a significant association between income and compliance with treatment (p = 0.039). The hypertensive subjects guided by the community health agents had 2.21 times greater risk of non-compliance with medication compared to those guided by the team and adjustment to income of the subjects non-compliant with medication (OR = 2.21, CI 1.08 -4, 85, p = 0.033).Conclusion Income and the guidance provided by community health agents interfered in the compliance with treatment, requiring training and the offer of fundraising practices and lifestyle changes.