Prevalence of red blood cell alloimmunization in multiply transfused patients

Introduction: To analyze the prevalence of alloantibodies in multiply transfused patients. Methods: This study was a retrospective, exploratory and descriptive study with a quantitative approach. The study sample comprised 185 patients transfused at a referral service in the city of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, from January 2016 to February 2018. Results: Overall, the antibodies identified were as follows: anti-E in 47 patients (18%), anti-D and anti-K in 28 patients each (11%), anti-C in 21 patients (8.1%), and inconclusive antibody results in 23 patients (8.9%). Females were a majority (55.7%), mean age was 48.8 years and mean quantity of blood transfused was 7.2 bags. Cardiovascular disorders were the most common comorbidities, in 39 patients (21.2%), followed by oncological disorders, in 38 patients (18.4%). Conclusion: Alloimmunization is an important and frequent clinical condition that increases the risk of hemolytic reactions and is associated with significant patient morbidity and mortality. (AU)

Effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the control of erosive esophagitis

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a multifactorial disease associated with environmental and genetic factors. Obesity is among the risk factors for its development, which also correlates with an increase in severity of clinical presentation and a higher incidence of complications associated with reflux. Methods: This historical cohort study included a sample of 249 patients who had undergone bariatric surgery using the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass technique at the Hospital São Vicente de Paulo, Passo Fundo, southern Brazil, from January 2014 to December 2015. Results: Of 249 patients, 77.9% (190 patients) were female and the mean age was 38 years. The occurrence of reflux esophagitis was 81.1% (196 patients) in the preoperative period and 31.3% (75 patients) in the postoperative period. With regard to bariatric treatment response to control moderate and severe esophagitis (grades B, C and D), there was a reduction in prevalence from 62 (25%) to 12 (5%) patients (p<0.05). Conclusions: Bariatric surgery using the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass technique is effective in the control of reflux esophagitis. Regression is observed mainly in cases of moderate and severe esophagitis. (AU)