Effects of air pollution caused by sugarcane burning in Western São Paulo on the cardiovascular system

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of acute exposure to air pollutants (NO2 and PM10) on hospitalization of adults and older people with cardiovascular diseases in Western São Paulo. METHODS Daily cardiovascular-related hospitalization data (CID10 – I00 to I99) were acquired by the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS) from January 2009 to December 2012. Daily levels of NO2 and PM10 and weather data were obtained from Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo (CETESB – São Paulo State Environmental Agency). To estimate the effects of air pollutants exposure on hospital admissions, generalized linear Poisson regression models were used. RESULTS During the study period, 6,363 hospitalizations were analysed. On the day of NO2 exposure, an increase of 1.12% (95%CI 0.05–2.20) was observed in the interquartile range along with an increase in hospital admissions. For PM10, a pattern of similar effect was observed; however, results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Even though with values within established limits, NO2 is an important short-term risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity.

Resultados de um programa de cessação tabagística: análise de novos procedimentos / Results of smoking cessation program: analysis of new procedures

Introdução: O tabagismo pode ser tratado com eficácia por terapias com enfoque na abordagem cognitivo-comportamental, sendo imprescindível a descrição minuciosa desta. Objetivo: Descrever um programa de cessação tabagística com novos procedimentos e avaliar seu índice de sucesso. Métodos: Participantes de um programa de cessação tabagística, baseado em terapias cognitivas comportamentais e farmacológicas, foram acompanhados por um ano, e a taxa de cessação avaliada foi, no mínimo, de seis meses, após pararem de fumar. Foram implementados os seguintes procedimentos: intensificação na frequência dos encontros (duas vezes semanais); data de cessação pré-estabelecida pelos terapeutas do programa, primeiro encontro com apresentação do tratamento, esclarecimento de dúvidas e motivação dos pacientes e participação de ex-tabagistas para incentivar os iniciantes. Resultados: Dos 145 indivíduos que participaram do estudo, observou-se um índice de sucesso de 64,42% durante o acompanhamento. Conclusão: Os novos procedimentos realizados neste programa de cessação tabagística proporcionaram alto índice de sucesso de abstinência, quando comparados a outros da literatura.

Introduction: Cigarette smoking may be effectively treated by therapies with a focus on cognitive behavioral approach; so it is essential to detailed description of such a program. Objectives: To describe a smoking cessation program with new procedures and evaluate their success rate. Methods: Smokers participating in a smoking cessation program based on pharmacological and cognitive behavioral therapies were followed for one year, and the cessation rate was assessed as lasting for at least six months after they stopping smoking. The following procedures were implemented in the program: increased frequency of meetings (twice a week); cessation date established by therapists of the program, first meeting is intended to present the treatment, clarification of doubts and patients motivation and finally participation of former smokers to encourage beginners in the program. Results: A total of 145 subjects participated in the study. There was a success rate of 64.42% during follow-up. Conclusion: We concluded that new procedures in a smoking cessation program can provide a high success rate of abstinence when compared to literature data.