Pregabalin and gabapentin for chronic low back pain without radiculopathy: a systematic review / Pregabalina e gabapentina para dor lombar crônica sem radiculopatia: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract Background Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a global health problem, and gabapentin and pregabalin are often used in the treatment of patients without associated radiculopathy or neuropathy. Therefore, determining their efficacy and safety is of enormous value. Objective To examine the efficacy and safety of using gabapentin and pregabalin for CLBP without radiculopathy or neuropathy. Methods We performed a search on the CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and Web of Science data bases for clinical trials, cohorts, and case-control studies that evaluated patients with CLBP without radiculopathy or neuropathy for at least eight weeks. The data were extracted and inserted into a previously-prepared Microsoft Excel spreadsheet; the outcomes were evaluated using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool, and the quality of evidence, using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Results Of the 2,230 articles identified, only 5 were included, totaling 242 participants. In them, pregabalin was slightly less efficacious than amitriptyline, the combination of tramadol/acetaminophen, and celecoxib, and pregabalin added to celecoxib showed no benefit when compared to celecoxib alone (very low evidence for all). On the other hand, although one study with gabapentin did not support its use in a general sample of patients with low back pain, another found a reduction in the pain scale and improved mobility (moderate evidence). No serious adverse events were observed in any of the studies. Conclusion Quality information to support the use of pregabalin or gabapentin in the treatment of CLBP without radiculopathy or neuropathy is lacking, although results may suggest gabapentin as a viable option. More data is needed to fill this current gap in knowledge.

Resumo Antecedentes Dor lombar crônica (DLC) é um problema de saúde global, e a gabapentina e a pregabalina são frequentemente utilizadas no tratamento de pacientes sem radiculopatia ou neuropatia associada. Por isso, determinar sua eficácia e segurança é de enorme valor. Objetivo Examinar a eficácia e segurança do uso de gabapentina e pregabalina no tratamento da DLC sem radiculopatia ou neuropatia. Métodos Realizamos uma pesquisa nas bases de dados CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS e Web of Science por ensaios clínicos, coortes e estudos de caso e controle que avaliassem pacientes com DLC sem radiculopatia ou neuropatia por pelo menos oito semanas. Os dados foram extraídos e inseridos em uma planilha previamente elaborada no programa Microsoft Excel; os desfechos foram avaliados com a ferramenta RoB 2 tool da Cochrane, e a qualidade das evidências, pelo sistema Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Resultados Dos 2.230 artigos identificados, apenas 5 foram incluídos, com um total de 242 participantes. Neles, a pregabalina foi ligeiramente menos eficaz do que a amitriptilina, a combinação de tramadol/acetaminofeno, e o celecoxibe, assim como a pregabalina adicionada ao celecoxibe não mostrou benefício em comparação ao uso isolado de celecoxibe (evidência muito baixa para todos). Quanto à gabapentina, embora um estudo não respalde seu uso para uma amostra geral de pacientes com lombalgia, outro encontrou redução na escala de dor e melhora da mobilidade (evidência moderada). Nenhum evento adverso grave foi observado nos estudos. Conclusão Há carência de informações de qualidade que sustentem o uso de pregabalina ou gabapentina no tratamento da DLC sem radiculopatia ou neuropatia, embora resultados possam sugerir que a gabapentina é uma opção viável. Mais dados são necessários para preencher essa atual lacuna no conhecimento.

Google Trends correlation and sensitivity for outbreaks of dengue and yellow fever in the state of São Paulo / Correlação e sensibilidade do Google Trends para surtos de dengue e febre amarela no estado de São Paulo

ABSTRACT Objective To assess Google Trends accuracy for epidemiological surveillance of dengue and yellow fever, and to compare the incidence of these diseases with the popularity of its terms in the state of São Paulo. Methods Retrospective cohort. Google Trends survey results were compared to the actual incidence of diseases, obtained from Centro de Vigilância Epidemiológica "Prof. Alexandre Vranjac", in São Paulo, Brazil, in periods between 2017 and 2019. The correlation was calculated by Pearson's coefficient and cross-correlation function. The accuracy was analyzed by sensitivity and specificity values. Results There was a statistically significant correlation between the variables studied for both diseases, Pearson coefficient of 0.91 for dengue and 0.86 for yellow fever. Correlation with up to 4 weeks of anticipation for time series was identified. Sensitivity was 87% and 90%, and specificity 69% and 78% for dengue and yellow fever, respectively. Conclusion The incidence of dengue and yellow fever in the State of São Paulo showed a strong correlation with the popularity of its terms measured by Google Trends in weekly periods. Google Trends tool provided early warning, with high sensitivity, for the detection of outbreaks of these diseases.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a acurácia do Google Trends para vigilância epidemiológica de dengue e febre amarela e comparar a incidência dessas doenças com a popularidade de seus termos no estado de São Paulo. Métodos Coorte retrospectiva. Os resultados da pesquisa Google Trends foram comparados com a incidência real de doenças, obtida do Centro de Vigilância Epidemiológica "Prof. Alexandre Vranjac", do estado de São Paulo, nos períodos entre 2017 e 2019. A correlação foi calculada pelo coeficiente de Pearson e pela função de correlação cruzada. A acurácia foi analisada por valores de sensibilidade e especificidade. Resultados Houve correlação estatisticamente significante entre as variáveis estudadas para ambas as doenças, com coeficiente de Pearson de 0,91 para dengue e 0,86 para febre amarela. Foi identificada correlação com até 4 semanas de antecipação para séries temporais. A sensibilidade foi de 87% e 90% e a especificidade de 69% e 78% para dengue e febre amarela, respectivamente. Conclusão A incidência de dengue e febre amarela no estado de São Paulo apresentou forte correlação com a popularidade de seus termos medidos pelo Google Trends em períodos semanais. A ferramenta Google Trends forneceu alerta precoce, com alta sensibilidade, para a detecção de surtos dessas doenças.

Zigomicose rino facial: relato de caso / Rhino facial zygomycosis: case report

A zigomicose é uma doença invasiva, que acomete tanto imunocompetentes como imunocomprometidos, dependendo do tipo da cepa. O diagnóstico é clínico e histopatológico, e o tratamento é baseado em antifúngico e em limpeza cirúrgica. O presente relato de caso é sobre um menino com zigomicose rinofacial invasiva com tratamento final bem-sucedido, após terapias antifúngicas e limpezas cirúrgicas.

Zygomycosis is an invasive disease that affects both immunocompetent and immunocompromised, depending on the type of strain. This disease diagnosis is clinical and histopathological, and its treatment is based on antifungal therapy and surgical cleaning. This paper reports a case of a boy with invasive zygomycosis rinofacial who final treatment was successful after underwent antifungal and surgical therapies.

What types of unintentional injuries kill our children? Do infants die of the same types of injuries? A systematic review

The objective of this study was to review mortality from external causes (accidental injury) in children and adolescents in systematically selected journals. This was a systematic review of the literature on mortality from accidental injury in children and adolescents. We searched the Pubrvled, Latin-American and Caribbean Health Sciences and Excerpta Medica databases for articles published between July of 2001 and June of 2011. National data from official agencies, retrieved by manual searches, were also reviewed. We reviewed 15 journal articles, the 2011 edition of a National Safety Council publication and 2010 statistical data from the Brazilian National Ministry of Health Mortality Database. Most published data were related to high-income countries. Mortality from accidental injury was highest among children less than 1 year of age. Accidental threats to breathing (non-drowning threats) constituted the leading cause of death among this age group in the published articles. Across the pediatric age group in the surveyed studies, traffic accidents were the leading cause of death, followed by accidental drowning and submersion. Traffic accidents constitute the leading external cause of accidental death among children in the countries understudy. However, infants were vulnerable to external causes, particularly to accidental non-drowning threats to breathing, and this age group had the highest mortality rates for external causes. Actions to reduce such events are suggested. Further studies investigating the occurrence of accidental deaths in low-income countries are needed to improve the understanding of these preventable events.

The epidemiological profile of Pediatric Intensive Care Center at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein / O perfil epidemiológico do Centro de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrico do Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein

Objective: This study outlined the epidemiological profiles of patients who were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Center at Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital during 2009. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected for all patients admitted to the PICC during 2009. A total of 433 medical charts were reviewed, and these data were extracted using the DATAMARTS System and analyzed using the statistical software package STATA, version 11.0. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in regards to patient gender, and the predominant age group consisted of patients between the ages of 1 to 4 years. The average occupancy rate was 69.3% per year, and there was a greater number of admissions during April, August, and October. The average length of stay at the hospital ranged from 9.7 to 19.1 days. Respiratory diseases were the main cause for admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Center, and the mortality rate of the patients admitted was 1.85%. Conclusions: Respiratory diseases were the most common ailment among patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Center, and the highest mortality rates were associated with neoplastic diseases.

Objetivo: Traçar o perfil epidemiológico de pacientes admitidos no Centro de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrico do Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein no período de 1 ano. Métodos: Os dados foram coletados retrospectivamente de todos pacientes admitidos no Centro de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrico durante o ano de 2009. A extração dos dados contidos nos 433 prontuários revisados foi realizada do sistema DATAMARTS e analisada com o programa estatístico STATA, versão 11. Resultados: Não houve diferença significativa para gênero, e a faixa etária predominante foi de 1 a 4 anos. A média de ocupação foi de 69,3% ao ano com maior fluxo nos meses de abril, agosto e outubro. A média de permanência variou de 9,7 a 19,1 dias. As doenças respiratórias foram responsáveis pelo maior número de pacientes no Centro de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrico e a taxa de mortalidade foi de 1,85%. Conclusões: As doenças respiratórias foram as mais frequentes e a maior taxa de mortalidade esteve associada a doenças neoplásicas.

Noninvasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure in children: a systematic review / Ventilação não invasiva em crianças com insuficiência respiratória aguda: uma revisão sistemática

Objective: To evaluate the use of the non-invasive ventilation in the treatment of children with acute respiratory failure. Methods: A systematic review of literature was conducted in MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases and references of articles. Blood oxygenation, ventilation and survival were the outcomes evaluated. Results: Until May 2010, 120 publications related to non-invasive ventilation were found. Only 19 of them were clinical trials focused on the use of non-invasive ventilation in children. There are already prospective clinical trials and cohort studies to support a quality of evidence level II concerning the use of non-invasive ventilation in children. Conclusions: There is moderate evidence to support the non-invasive ventilation use in children, with a B-II grade of recommendation.

Objetivo: Avaliar o papel da ventilação não invasiva no tratamento de crianças com insuficiência respiratória aguda. Métodos: Revisão sistemática da literatura sobre ventilação não invasiva nas bases MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE e Cochrane, além de referências de artigos. Os desfechos avaliados foram resposta sobre a oxigenação e ventilação sanguínea, e a sobrevida dos pacientes. Resultados: Foram encontrados 120 estudos sobre ventilação não invasiva até Maio de 2010. Destes, apenas 19 eram sobre ventilação não invasiva em crianças. Já há ensaios clínicos prospectivos e de coorte, levando a uma qualidade de evidência nível II sobre o uso de ventilação não invasiva em crianças. Conclusão: Já há evidência científica para recomendar o uso da ventilação não invasiva, com um grau de recomendação B-II.

Prática de medicina baseada em evidências em um centro de tratamento intensivo pediátrico / The practice of evidence-based medicine in a pediatric intensive care unit

Objetivos: Estimar a concordância entre as práticas e as evidências disponíveis em uma unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de todos os pacientes internados durante 2001. As práticas foram classificadas em adequadas ou não-adequadas de acordo com recomendações. Esperava-se para as práticas recomendadas 90% de concordância, para as contra-indicadas, discordância de até 10% e para aquelas onde havia incertezas, 50%. Resultados: Foram selecionadas 114 publicações e avaliadas 253/275 internações (92%). O uso foi considerado apropriado para albumina em 47,6% (IC 95% 39% - 55%); dopamina <3mg/kg/min 87,9% (83% - 92%); sedação e analgesia 88,6% (87% - 90%); transfusões de concentrado de hemácias 95,2% (92% - 97%); profiliaxia de úlcera de estresse 89,7% (88% - 91%).

Objectives: Estimate the concordance between the practices and the evidence available in a pediatric intensive care unit. Methods: Retrospective study of all admitted patients during 2001. The practices were classified as adequate or non-adequate according to recommendations. It was expected 90% concordance for the recommended practices, while for non-adequate practices, discordance until 10% and for those where there was doubt, 50%. Results: 114 publications were selected and 253/275 admissions (92%) were evaluated. Use was considered appropriate for albumin in 47.6% (IC 95% 39% - 55%); dopamine <3mg/kg/min 87.9% (83% - 92%); sedation and analgesia 88.6% (87% - 90%); red blood cell transfusions 95.2% (92% - 97%); stress ulcer prophylaxis 89.7% (88% - 91%).

Suporte nutricional enteral versus parenteral: revis132o sistemáica / Enteral and pareneral nutrition support: a systemaiv review

Objetivo: comparar técnicas de nutriçäo enteral e parenteral. Métodos: revisäo sistemáttica de ensaios randomizados com crianças de zero a doze anos, no período de 1980 a 2001. Resultados: quinze publicaçöes foram selecionadas. A ocorrência de radicais livres foi mais freqüênte com a via parenteral, mas os riscos de colestase, enterocolite necrotizante, bacteremia e o peso da criança na alta foram semelhantes. Os suportes nutricionais enteral e parenteral recuperaram o estado nutricional de pacientes oncológicos e a diarréia intratável pode ser melhor controlada com o uso da via enteral. Conclusöes: o sucesso do suporte nutricional depende de estratégias combinadas e a nutriçäo enteral pode ser empregada de modo mais seguro em situaçöes onde seu uso era restrito.(au)

Inhaled nitric oxide in the management of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) in the management of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. METHODS: Computerized bibliographic search on MEDLINE, CURRENT CONTENTS and LILACS covering the period from January 1990 to March 1998; review of references of all papers found on the subject. Only randomized clinical trials evaluating nitric oxide and conventional treatment were included. OUTCOMES STUDIED: death, requirement for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), systemic oxygenation, complications at the central nervous system and development of chronic pulmonary disease. The methodologic quality of the studies was evaluated by a quality score system, on a scale of 13 points. RESULTS: For infants without congenital diaphragmatic hernia, inhaled NO did not change mortality (typical odds ratio: 1.04; 95 percent CI: 0.6 to 1.8); the need for ECMO was reduced (relative risk: 0.73; 95 percent CI: 0.60 to 0.90), and the oxygenation was improved (PaO2 by a mean of 53.3 mm Hg; 95 percent CI: 44.8 to 61.4; oxygenation index by a mean of -12.2; 95 percent CI: -14.1 to -9.9). For infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, mortality, requirement for ECMO, and oxygenation were not changed. For all infants, central nervous system complications and incidence of chronic pulmonary disease did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled NO improves oxygenation and reduces requirement for ECMO only in newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension who do not have diaphragmatic hernia. The risk of complications of the central nervous system and chronic pulmonary disease were not affected by inhaled NO