Comparison of the epidemiologic features and patterns of initial care for prostate cancer between public and private institutions: a survey by the Brazilian Society of Urology

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological features and patterns of initial care for prostate cancer at public and private institutions in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,082 physicians affiliated to the Sao Paulo Section of the Brazilian Society of Urology were invited to participate in this cross-sectional, web-based survey. Between September 2004 and September 2005, participating urologists entered data on demographic, clinical and pathological characteristics of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in their practice. Data on patients attended at public institutions were analyzed and compared with those patients attended at private practice. RESULTS: One hundred and ten society members contributed with data from 1915 patients, 1026 (53.6%) of whom from public institutions. When compared with patients attended at private institutions, those attended at public institutions were older and more likely to be black, had higher serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, had a higher probability of being diagnosed with metastatic disease, but were less likely to undergo prostatectomy (all P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, age, biopsy Gleason score, and being attended at a public institution were independently associated with metastatic disease upon diagnosis. The significant predictors of nonsurgical treatment were age, black race, and higher serum levels of PSA. CONCLUSIONS: A statewide registry provides valuable information regarding patient demographics, clinical features, and patterns of care. The results of this study suggest that significant disparities exist for patients with prostate cancer attended at different health-care systems. The relative contribution of biological versus socioeconomic features remains uncertain.

Emprego do cefadroxil no tratamento de infecçöes do trato urinário em mulheres / Use of cefadroxil for the treatment of urinary tract infection in women

Vinte pacientes do sexo feminino, com idades entre 15 e 67 anos, e portadoras de infecçäo do trato urinário, foram tratadas com Cefadroxil por via oral, na posologia de 500 mg cada 12 horas por 10 dias. Dezesseis pacientes completaram o protocolo e realizaram duas consultas e culturas de urina após o tratamento. Considerando-se estas pacientes, o índice de sucesso foi de 87,5% obtendo-se cura clínica em 93,7%. Os efeitos indesejáveis foram de pequena monta, näo impondo interrupçäo do tratamento. Pode-se concluir que o Cefadroxil é um agente eficaz e seguro para o tratamento das infecçöes urinárias no sexo feminino