Chronic hepatitis C virus in the state of Piauí, northeastern Brazil

Knowledge of genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has clinical importance due to genotype 1 lower response to treatment compared with genotypes 2 and 3. The goal of this survey was to describe clinical and laboratorial profiles of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in the State of Piauí, as well as to expand the overall awareness of the distribution of HCV genotyping in Northeast of Brazil. A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out between April 1999 and August 2005. A total of 153 patients were included, 119 (77.8 percent) males and 34 (22.2 percent) females; mean age = 48.01 ± 9.11 years. We observed a homogeneous distribution between genotypes 1 (50.0 percent) and 3 (49.0 percent), while the most frequent subtype noticed was 3a (49.0 percent). The mean viral load among patients with subtype 1b (1,232,476 UI/mL) was significantly superior to the subtype 1a (391,204 UI/mL; p = 0.010) and to the subtype 3a (594,228 UI/mL; p = 0.047). The average levels of gamma-glutamiltransferase of genotype 1 (144 mg/dL) had statistical differences when compared to genotype 3 (74 mg/dL; p = 0.014). Most patients showed mild to moderate degrees of histopathological necroinflammatory activity and hepatic fibrosis (79.0 percent and 56.2 percent, respectively). We concluded that most candidates to treatment of CHC in the State of Piauí presented with clinically stable hepatic illness; the distribution of genotypes 1 and 3 was virtually homogeneous; and there was no significant demographic or clinical differences among genotypes or subtypes of HCV.

Knowledge of stroke among a brazilian urban population

Knowledge of the population in regards to stroke has clinical and epidemiological importance. Prompt identification of the symptoms means efficient medical attendance within the window of therapeutic opportunities reducing significantly the morbi-mortality. Our aim was to evaluate the level of knowledge of the population of Teresina (PI) concerning factors of risk, symptoms and treatment of stroke. The door-to-door study was carried out by means of a standardized application of questionnaire on risk factors, symptoms and attitude when faced with a stroke victim. 991 forms were selected. Factors of risk more cited were hypertension identified by 416 [42.0 percent] and hyperlipidemia 284 [28.7 percent]. The most remembered symptoms were headache 277 [28.0 percent] and hemiplegia 219 [22.1 percent]. 375 (37.8 percent) respondents were unable to identify any risk factors and and 410 (41.4 percent) any symptom. The lack of knowledge of the population of Teresina in relation to stroke reflects the need for intervention through public and professional educational campaigns.

O conhecimento da população sobre doenças cerebrovasculares (DCV) possui importância clínica e epidemiológica. A rápida identificação dos sintomas significará atendimento médico eficiente dentro das janelas de oportunidades terapêuticas reduzindo significativamente a morbimortalidade. Objetivou-se avaliar o nível de conhecimento da população de Teresina (PI) acerca dos fatores de risco, sintomas e tratamento das DCV. O estudo populacional, porta-a-porta, foi conduzido mediante aplicação padronizada de um questionário sobre fatores de risco, sintomas e atitude diante de um caso de DCV. Foram eleitos 991 formulários preenchidos. Os fatores de risco mais citados foram hipertensão arterial identificada por 416 [42,0 por cento] e hiperlipidemia 284 [28,7 por cento]. Os sintomas mais lembrados foram cefaléia 277 [28,0 por cento] e hemiplegia 219 [22,1 por cento]. Não identificaram nenhum fator de risco 375 (37,8 por cento) respondedores e 410 (41,4 por cento), nenhum sintoma. O reduzido conhecimento da população de Teresina com relação às DCV reflete a necessidade de intervenção com campanhas educativas públicas e profissionais nesta população.