Down syndrome in adults: success and challenge / Síndrome de Down em adultos: sucessos e desafios

The estimated average survival of people with Down syndrome (DS) is currently over 50 years of age. This demographic finding warrants attention of health professionals who will care for an increasing number of adults with DS. Clinical evaluation of adults with DS should correlate characteristics inherent to the age group, especially the peculiarities produced by the syndrome. The present article proposes the development of preventive and vaccination programs ­ according to gender and age ­ and screening of diseases and conditions associated with the syndrome: 1) endocrine diseases; 2) cardiac diseases; 3) mental health; 4) dental care; 5) sensory organs; 6) osteoarticular abnormalities; 7) skin and appendages; 8) gastrointestinal diseases; and 9) cancer. However, there is scant information on the impact of comorbidities on life expectancy and quality of life or on the social and hospital costs of adults with DS.

A estimativa da sobrevida média de indivíduos com síndrome de Down (SD) passa atualmente dos 50 anos de idade. Esse dado demográfico justifica a atenção de profissionais da saúde que prestarão cuidados a um número crescente de adultos com SD. A avaliação clínica desse grupo de pacientes adultos deve correlacionar características inerentes à faixa etária, principalmente as peculiaridades produzidas pela síndrome. O presente artigo propõe o desenvolvimento de programas de prevenção e vacinação ­ conforme gênero e idade ­ e triagem de doenças e quadros associados à síndrome: 1) doenças endócrinas; 2) doenças cardíacas; 3) saúde mental; 4) saúde bucal; 5) órgãos sensoriais; 6) anomalias osteoarticulares; 7) pele e anexos; 8) doenças gastrointestinais; 9) câncer. Entretanto, há poucas informações sobre o impacto das comorbidades na expectativa de vida e na qualidade de vida, além dos custos hospitalares e sociais de adultos com SD.

Programa de atenção particularizada ao idoso em unidades básicas de saúde / Health program for elders at primary health care centers

INTRODUÇÃO: Envelhecer é um processo de mudanças irreversíveis na estrutura e no funcionamento de um organismo, que ocorre como resultado da passagem do tempo. Segundo a OMS, programas voltados à saúde dos idosos devem promover, estimular e potencializar situações que os levem a organizar sua rotina de acordo com o próprio planejamento e metas pessoais. No Brasil, a população de idosos aumenta significativamente; estima-se que representará 12,5 por cento em 2020. Nesse contexto, justifica-se a criação de programas de saúde particularizados a esse grupo populacional. OBJETIVO: Elaborar programa de saúde para o idoso aplicável em Unidades Básicas de Saúde. METODOLOGIA: O projeto foi aplicado no Centro de Saúde Escola Barra Funda "Dr. Alexandre Vranjac". Com revisão bibliográfica, conhecimento da população local e das demandas regionais quanto a novas atividades e mapeamento das atividades existentes no terrritório, formulou-se uma apostila direcionada aos profissionais da saúde visando elucidar dúvidas e orientar o manejo do paciente idoso. RESULTADOS: A Unidade é referência na organização dos projetos existentes em sua área de abrangência; muitos, atualmente, com potencial subutilizado. Foram encontrados diversos centros que oferecem atividades aos idosos, no entanto há necessidade de aprimorar a divulgação desses projetos através de meios que atinjam efetivamente essa população. Elaborou-se apostila composta de revisão bibliográfica, fluxograma de atendimento médico, roteiro para personalizar o atendimento do idoso, banco de dados com os principais projetos da região e calendário com as atividades existentes permitindo centralizar informações e torná-las acessíveis, para que atividades específicas a cada paciente possam ser indicadas de maneira objetiva.

INTRODUCTION: Ageing is a process of irreversible changes, both physical and physiological. According to WHO, health programs directed to the elders must promote and encourage them to have a routine based on their goals. The number of senior citizens in Brazil is on the rise, and studies show that in 2020 they will represent about 12.5 percent of the country's population; therefore, health policies must meet the needs of this age group. OBJECTIVES: To create a health program for elders that can be applied at primary health care centers. METHODOLOGY: The project was initially applied at "Centro de Saúde Escola Barra Funda Dr. Alexandre Vranjac". Using both bibliographic and field research, we were able to create a profile of elders in the area and, thus, understand the needs of this age group, which enabled us to map the different activities directed to senior citizens that are available in the area and suggest new activities that appeal to this public. RESULTS: Several centers offer activities to senior citizens; however, few citizens attend them, which shows that more effective ways to advertise them must be used to attract more elders. After analyzing the data, a guidebook was created to help professionals when dealing with elders. In it, there is a bibliographic review about the ageing process, a flowchart with the ideal management of elder patients, a summary of activities available in the area and a schedule with such activities. This guidebook aims to help the professionals offer their patients a better orientation.

Depressive disorder: subdiagnosis in woman with gynecological neoplasms

Introduction: The cancer is one of the main causes of mortality in Brazil. In this ontext it has been noticed that the information about cancer diagnosis is a common medical practice which could imply in psychological, physical and interpersonal changes. Approximately 30 percent of the patients with cancer develop widespread apprehension, depression and mental disorder in the first year after the diagnosis. Therefore, it is important that the health professional has to be able to recognize these alterations and to conduct them better on the moment of diagnosis and the therapeutic options discuss. Objective: To evaluate female genital neoplasms diagnosis’ impact in life of patients and their families. Casuistic and methods: Women with confirmed female genital neoplasms are submitted to a questionnaire to evaluate sociodemografics characters, impressions in the diagnosis’ moment, health conditions, quality of life and depressive symptoms. Results: The serene feeling in the moment of diagnosis is requent in the major than 50 year old women (p=0002). The knowledge about their own illness is higher as higher is patient’s school age (p=0013). A half of patients present depressive symptoms. There is no difference between the presence of symptoms and the time of diagnosis (p=0781), age (p=0711) and school age (p=0145). The more frequently doubts referred by patients are about disease’s cure and its recurrence. Conclusions: The results suggest that women with female genital neoplasms are frequently committed by doubts and depressive symptoms that are rarely identified without appropriate instruments of evaluation. The health professional has to pay attention to the psychosocial aspect related directly with quality of life.