Factors associated with non-treatment of hypertension and gender differences at baseline in the ELSA-Brasil cohort

The treatment of arterial hypertension (AH) contributes to the reduction of morbidity and mortality. Gender differences are likely to play a role, as non-treatment is associated with clinical and sociodemographic aspects. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with non-treatment of AH and gender differences in hypertensive individuals from the ELSA-Brasil cohort. The study was conducted with 5,743 baseline hypertensive cohort participants. AH was considered if there was a previous diagnosis or if systolic blood pressure (SBP) was ≥140 and/or diastolic BP (DBP) was ≥90 mmHg. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data, lifestyle, comorbidities, and use of antihypertensive medications were evaluated through interviews and in-person measurements. Treatment with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) or other antihypertensive medications and non-treatment were evaluated with multivariate logistic regression. Non-treatment was observed in 32.8% of hypertensive individuals. Of the 67.7% treated individuals, 41.1% received RAASi. Non-treatment was associated with alcohol consumption in women (OR=1.41; 95%CI: 1.15-1.73; P=0.001), lowest schooling level in men (OR=1.70; 95%CI: 1.32-2.19; P<0.001), and younger age groups in men and women (strongest association in males aged 35-44 years: OR=4.58, 95%CI: 3.17-6.6, P<0.001). Among those using RAASi, a higher proportion of white, older individuals, and with more comorbidities was observed. The high percentage of non-treatment, even in this civil servant population, indicated the need to improve the treatment cascade for AH. Public health policies should consider giving special attention to gender roles in groups at higher risk of non-treatment to reduce inequities related to AH in Brazil.

Proposal for Educational Intervention in People Living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and in their Family Caregiver

Objective: Design a proposal of educational intervention for both, people who live with Diabetes Mellitus type 2 and their family caregiver. Methodology: Methodology. A case series study was conducted with the participation of 12 people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus and attending a Mutual Help Group in Pachuquilla, Hidalgo. Sociodemographic data, somatometric measurements (weight, height, BMI, waist circumference), blood pressure, and capillary blood samples for glycosylated hemoglobin were collected. Results: The mean age was 64 and range of 39-79 years, O.D. of 12; 67% women; 25% finished secondary school, 50% worked at home, 17% in commerce, 33% unemployed; 58% married, 25% widowed, and 17% divorced and in common law; 33.% with less than 5 years diagnosed, 67% have been diagnosed for more than 5 years; 75% depend economically; 67% have complications, 75% with family support, in diabetes knowledge 33% obtained intermediate score and 67% inadequate score; the weight average was of 77 kg and range of 57-116.5 kg, and O.D. 17 kg; in waist circumference, 100% exceed the recommended limit, in BMI, 50% is classified as overweight and 50% as obese; in blood pressure 50% > 130/80 mmHg and in glycosylated hemoglobin 75% > 7% mg/dl. Conclusion: The currently implemented strategy does not reflect good knowledge and control of the disease. This study invites us to continue with research where an educational intervention is implemented in which family caregivers are included and active participation is encouraged, in addition to implementing the IEP as a theoretical basis for the intervention.

Association between dietary patterns and renal function in a cross-sectional study using baseline data from the ELSA-Brasil cohort

Previous analyses of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) identified four main dietary patterns (DP). The aim of this study was to explore the association between the previously defined DP and renal function (RF). A cross-sectional study using the ELSA-Brasil baseline data was carried out. DP ("traditional", "fruits and vegetables", "bakery", and "low sugar/low fat), metabolic syndrome (MS) using the Joint Interim Statement criteria, microalbuminuria (MA), and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) through the CKD-EPI equation were evaluated. Abnormal RF was defined as eGFR<60 mL·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1 and MA≥3.0 mg/dL. Factors associated with RF were determined and mediation analysis was performed to investigate the association between DP, MS, and RF. A total of 15,105 participants were recruited, with a mean age of 52±9 years; 8,134 participants (54%) were females. The mediation analysis identified indirect associations between "bakery" and "fruits and vegetables", and both were associated with decreased eGFR and albuminuria in both genders, compared with "traditional" and "low sugar/low fat" patterns in the general population. There was a direct association of the "bakery" pattern with MA in men (OR: 1.17, 95%CI: 1.92-1.48). The "fruits and vegetables" pattern also showed a direct association with reduced eGFR in women (OR: 1.65, 95%CI: 1.28-2.12), although there was no significance after adjustment. The "fruits and vegetables" and "bakery" DPs were associated with renal dysfunction. The only independent, direct association was between "bakery" DP and MA in men, raising concerns about DP and renal damage in men.

Resultados de la nucleotomía percutánea en el manejo de la hernia discal lumbar / Results of percutaneous discectomy in the management of lumbar disc herniation

Resumen: Introducción: La nucleotomía percutánea es una técnica de descompresión discal aprobada por la FDA que ha mostrado ser útil para mejorar el dolor causado por hernia discal. No obstante, su práctica se encuentra en discusión debido a que los beneficios de la técnica son controversiales. Objetivos: Describir los resultados de la evolución clínica de los pacientes con hernia discal lumbar baja (L4-L5, L5-S1) tratada mediante cirugía percutánea a un año de operados y mostrar que es una opción quirúrgica útil para el alivio de la sintomatología causada por esta entidad patológica. Material y métodos: Estudio de cohorte; presentamos la evolución clínica de 21 individuos con hernia discal lumbar tratados con nucleotomía percutánea manual durante Marzo 2011-Noviembre 2013. La evaluación fue hecha antes de la cirugía y a los cuatro, 30, 180 y 365 días después de operados mediante la escala numérica del dolor (END), índice de discapacidad funcional de Oswestry (IDO) y criterios de MacNab. Utilizamos estadística inferencial no paramétrica (Wilcoxon) para diferencias. Resultados: n = 21: seis (28.57%) hombres, 15 (71.42%) mujeres; edad promedio: 37.95 años (14-56), ± 10.60; el nivel vertebral más afectado: L4-L5, en 12 (57.14%) sujetos. La END preoperatoria promedio: 7.75 (5-9) ± 1.12; a los 365 días: promedio 2.14 (0-7) ± 2.37. El IDO preoperatorio promedio: 37% (28-40%) ± 3.06 y a los 365 días: 9.52% (0-40%) ± 13.92. El pronóstico (IDO) en el prequirúrgico fue bueno en cero (0%) personas y en 15 (71.42%) a los 365 días, regular en cinco (23.80%) y malo en una (4.78%) (p = 0.000 IC 95% 0.00-0.13, Wilcoxon); de acuerdo con los criterios de MacNab, en 15 (71.42%) casos fueron excelentes y buenos, pobres en cuatro (19.04%) y malos en dos (9.52%) (p = 0.00). Conclusiones: La nucleotomía percutánea ofrece buenos resultados para el tratamiento de las hernias discales lumbares (L4-L5, L5-S1) a los 365 días de operados los pacientes.

Abstract: Introduction: Percutaneous discectomy is a disc decompression technique approved by the FDA that is useful to improve pain caused by a herniated disc. However, its practice is under discussion because the benefits of the technique are controversial. Objectives: To describe the clinical course of patients with low lumbar disc herniation (L4-L5, L5-S1) treated by percutaneous surgery within one year of surgery and prove that it is a useful surgical option for the relief of symptoms caused by this pathological entity. Material and methods: Cohort study; the clinical course of 21 patients with lumbar disc herniation treated with percutaneous discectomy manually during March 2011-November 2013, is presented. The evaluation was made before surgery and at four, 30, 180 and 365 days after surgery by numerical pain scale (NPS), Oswestry (IDO) and MacNab criteria. We used nonparametric inferential statistics (Wilcoxon) for differences in proportions. Results: n = 21, six (28.57%) men, 15 (71.42%) women; average age: 37.95, (14-56) ± 10.60 years; the most affected vertebral level was L4-L5 in 57.14% of the patients; the NPS preoperative average was 7.75 (5-9) ± 1.12; at 365 days: average 2.14 (0-7) ± 2.37. The IDO preoperative average was 37% (28-40%) ± 3.06, and at 365 days: 9.52% (0-40%) ± 13.92. The prognosis (IDO) in the presurgical was good to zero (0%) patients and in 15 (71.42%) at 365 days, regular in five (23.80%) and poor in one (4.78%) (p = 0.00, CI 95% 0.00 to 0.13, Wilcoxon); according to MacNab criteria, in 15 (71.42%) patients were excellent and good, poor in four (19.04%) and bad in two (9.52%) (p = 0.00). Conclusions: Percutaneous discectomy provides good results for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (L4-L5, L5-S1) at 365 days after surgery.

Smoking and Hypertension: A Study in Subjects Admitted to Hospital for Cardiovascular Diseases.

Aims: There is a general consensus in considering cigarette smoking as a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases: a direct causal association between smoking and hypertension however is questioned. The present paper reports a study on the effect of cigarette smoking and of other clinical parameters on hypertension in a sample of subjects admitted to Hospital for Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD). Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Cardiology Valmontone Hospital and Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, between April 2007- December 2013. Methodology: We have studied 335 subjects admitted to the Hospital for Cardiovascular Diseases. Statistical analyses were in the study that was approved by the Ethical Committee. We have considered hypertension in relation to smoking, diabetes, age and sex. Results: Multivariate statistical analyses have shown a high significant effect of age (P<.001) and diabetes (P<.01) on hypertension and a border line effect of smoke (P=.05). No effect of sex has been detected (P=.47). The proportion of subjects with hypertension is positively correlated with the number of risk factors examined. Conclusion: Our data indicate that an independent effect of smoking on blood pressure is relatively small and suggest an additive effect of the variables considered on the risk of hypertension.

Evidence of Interaction between PTPN22 and p53 codon 72 Polymorphisms on Susceptibility to Immune Related Diseases.

Background: PTPN22 codifies for a protein-tyrosine-phosphatase (Lyp) involved in T cell receptor signaling regulation. p53 is involved in immune related inflammation regulating STAT 1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Possible interaction between the two systems concerning the susceptibility to immune related disorders are therefore biologically plausible. In the present note we have searched for such interaction in type 1 diabetes mellitus and reviewed previous data from our laboratory. Methods: We have studied 287 children with type 1 diabetes, 129 non diabetic adult subjects admitted to the Hospital for Coronary Artery Disease, 130 women with endometriosis and 256 healthy blood donors. PTPN22 and p53 codon 72 genotypes were determined by DNA analysis. Results: In all diseases the proportion of PTPN22 *T allele is higher in p53 *Pro allele carriers than in p53*Arg/*Arg genotype. In *Arg/*Arg patients the proportion of *T allele carriers does not differ significantly from controls while in subjects carrying the *Pro allele is higher in patients than in controls. A significant increase of Odds Ratio is observed only in presence of both *T and *Pro alleles suggesting a cooperative interaction. Conclusion: It has been suggested that the susceptibility to autoimmune disorders in the presence of *T allele could be related to failure to delete auto reactive T cell during intrathymic selection. *Pro allele variant with its strong transcriptional activity could enhance the multiplication of such auto reactive T cell escaping intrathymic thus explaining a significant increase of Odds Ratio in the presence of both factors .The present observation could have relevance to identify individuals at high risk of clinical manifestations.

Inmunofenotipos aberrantes en leucemias agudas en una población hospitalaria de Buenos Aires / Aberrant immunophenotypes in acute leukemia in a Buenos Aires' hospital population

La citometría de flujo multiparamétrica es el método de elección para la caracterización inmunofenotípica de las células hematopoyéticas clonales presentes en los distintos procesos leucémicos agudos. El objetivo fue analizar la expresión de antígenos de membrana y evaluar la presencia de fenotipos aberrantes en los blastos de pacientes con diagnóstico de leucemia aguda, que permiten el monitoreo de la respuesta al tratamiento. Se revisaron los inmunofenotipos de 364 muestras de pacientes adultos derivadas a nuestro laboratorio en un período de 7 años. El inmunofenotipo se realizó por citometría de flujo con un amplio panel de anticuerpos monoclonales con el que se evaluó la expresión de antígenos de linaje linfoide, mieloide y también antígenos de maduración. De las 364 muestras estudiadas, 60.2% presentaron un fenotipo compatible con leucemia mieloide aguda (LMA), 28.8% con leucemia linfoblástica B (LLA-B), 6.6% con leucemia linfoblástica T (LLA-T) y 4.4% con leucemias agudas poco frecuentes. La presencia de fenotipos aberrantes se observó en 89% de los casos, los fenotipos aberrantes identificados fueron: 1) infidelidad de linaje: LMA (54%), LLA-B (40%), LLA-T (29%); 2) ausencia de expresión antigénica: LMA (21%), LLA-B (35%), LLA-T (70%); 3) alteración de la expresión antigénica: LMA (67%), LLA-B (66%), LLA-T (84%); 4) asincronismo madurativo: LMA (26%), LLA-B (37%) y 5) fenotipo ectópico: LLA-T 96%). El análisis por citometría de flujo multiparamétrica de las leucemias agudas permitió la identificación de fenotipos aberrantes en la mayoría de nuestros pacientes, que son de utilidad para el monitoreo de la respuesta al tratamiento.

Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) has become the preferred method for the lineage assignment and maturational analysis of malignant cells in acute leukemias. Multiparametric immunophenotyping analysis allows the detection of aberrant antigen expression and the analysis of heterogeneity and clonality of malignant cells in leukemias. Our objectives were to analyze the membrane antigen expression and to evaluate if the aberrant phenotypes occurrence in blasts cells of patients with acute leukemia is useful in monitoring the response to the treatment. We have retrospectively analyzed the MFC data of 364 samples sent to our laboratory in a 7 years period. For this purpose we have used a large panel of monoclonal antibodies against lymphoid, myeloid and precursors antigens. From the 364 analyzed samples, 60.2% showe d a phenotype compatible with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 28.8% with B lymphoblastic leukemia (B-LLA), 6.6% with T lymphoblastic leukemia (T-LLA) and 4.4% with rare leukemias. Aberrant phenotypes were found in 86% of the samples. The aberrant phenotypes identified were:1) lineage infidelity AML (54%), B-ALL (40%), T-ALL (29%); 2) absence of antigen expression: AML (21%), B-ALL (35%), T-ALL (70%); 3) altered antigen expression: AML (67%), B-ALL (66%),T-ALL (84%); 4) asynchronous expression: AML (26%), B-ALL (37%) and 5) ectopic phenotype: T-ALL (96%). Multiparameter flow cytometry of acute leukemias allowed identification of aberrant phenotypes in the majority of our patients, that are helpful for monitoring treatment response.

Nivel de atividade fisica e desconfortos musculo-esqueleticos percebidos em homens e mulheres, adultos e idosos / Physical activity and musculosketal disconforts among male and female young adults and aged people

A literatura de pesquisa e a pratica profissional tem revelado forte relacao entre bem-estar fisico, genero, idade e a pratica de atividade fisica.Este estudo teve por objetivo caracterizar as relacoes entre nivel de atividades fisicas e desconfortos musculos-esqueleticos percebidos em adultos jovens e em idosos masculinos e femininos. Foram avaliados 200 voluntarios que formaram dois grupos com 100 individuos cada, um de 20 a 35 anos e o outro de 60 a 70 anos, cada um composto por 50 homens e 50 mulheres, metade sedentaria e metade ativa. Os instrumentos incluiram um questionario de caracterizacao sociodemografica e ocupacional, de pratica de atividades fisicas e doencas e um questionario de queixas relativas a desconforto musculo-esqueleticos percebidos nos ultimos anos e nos ultimos sete dias. Foram realizadas analises estatisticas descritivas, testes de contraste (goodman) e de hipotese (Mann-Whitney). Os resultados indicaram que 1) os idosos, as mulheres e os sedentarios relataram mais desconfortos musculo-esqueleticos nos ultimos seis meses e nos ultimos sete dias. Investigacoes nesse dominio podem melhorar o bem estar fisico e psicologico de adultos jovens e idosos e aumentar as chances de uma velhice satisfatoria

Infraestructura para el desarrollo de investigaciones aplicadas a servicios de salud. / Infrastructure for the development of applied research on health services

El autor considera que toda vision parcelada de la investigacion en servicios de salud es un artificio provocado por las necesidades que impone la especializacion. Estima que con frecuencia la investigacion que se hace es irrelevante y se inspira unicamente en motivaciones personales, de grupos o de instituciones. Destaca que para tener una comprension adecuada del problema es preciso que haya una integracion mayor entre el grupo academico y el de servicios. Ello permitiria, entre otras ventajas, el establecimiento de condiciones favorables para realizar investigaciones basicas, clinicas, epidemiologicas y administrativas, la utilizacion de los proyectos de investigacion con fines docentes y el enriquicimiento de la perspectiva del administrador y del grupo academico al conocer de cerca las necesidades de cada uno de esos campos