Avaliação do cuidado pré-natal nos serviços de Atenção Básica à Saúde do Piauí no contexto do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica / Evaluation of prenatal care in the services of Primary Health Care in Piauí in the context of the National Program to Improve the Access and the Quality of Primary Care

Os serviços de Atenção Básica à Saúde (ABS) do Sistema Único de Saúde são responsáveis pela maioria dos atendimentos pré-natais no Brasil. O pré-natal alcançou elevada cobertura no país, contudo, atingir um número mínimo de consultas não garante a qualidade da atenção. Ademais, permanecem iniquidades no acesso ao cuidado pré-natal, sendo que, as regiões mais pobres possuem mais difícil acesso, persistindo desfechos maternos e perinatais negativos. O objetivo geral desse estudo foi avaliar o cuidado pré-natal nos serviços de ABS que participaram do segundo ciclo do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB) no estado do Piauí. Trata-se de uma pesquisa avaliativa do tipo análise da implantação, subtipos 1-a, 1-b e 3, de corte tranversal. Elaborou-se os modelos lógico teórico e operacional do cuidado pré-natal nos serviços de ABS. A população desse estudo consistiu em 865 equipes de ABS que participaram da avaliação externa no segundo ciclo do programa, 788 unidades de saúde e 235 mulheres grávidas ou com filhos até dois anos de idade que responderam um questionário na ocasião da avaliação externa. Utilizou-se dados secundários provenientes do banco de dados da avaliação externa do Ministério da Saúde, coletados de janeiro a setembro de 2014. Descreveu-se a estrutura das unidades de saúde, o processo de trabalho das equipes e o cuidado recebido durante o pré-natal pelas mulheres entrevistadas. Analisou-se a prevalência da adequação da estrutura e do processo de trabalho para o cuidado pré-natal segundo as macrorregiões administrativas do estado, Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano municipal (IDHm), porte populacional e atendimento à população rural. Somente 3,7% das unidades de saúde possuíam estrutura adequada para o cuidado pré-natal, sendo as menores frequências as dos testes rápidos de gravidez (10,3%), HIV (8,6%) e sífilis (7,4%). O processo de trabalho foi adequado para 20,8% das equipes e a menor frequência foi da administração de penicilina G benzatina nas unidades de saúde (55,0%). Das mulheres entrevistadas, 10,6% receberam todos os cuidados pré-natais selecionados. A macrorregião dos Cerrados se destacou quanto à adequação da estrutura para o cuidado pré-natal. Em relação à adequação dos equipamentos e materiais para a realização de procedimentos clínicos-obstétricos e suprimento de vacinas, as unidades de saúde dos municípios com maior IDHm são mais prevalentes. Considerando a adequação do processo de trabalho, as equipes da macrorregião do Semiárido são mais prevalentes e quando analisada a solicitação de exames, as equipes com maior IDHm e que não atendem população rural são mais prevalentes. Os resultados apontam que o maior desafio é ofertar todos os cuidados preconizados para o pré-natal, o que distancia a prática desses serviços de saúde da integralidade. Observa-se que, quando a prestação de um cuidado depende de maior infraestrutura, os serviços dos municípios de maior IDHm são mais prevalentes. São necessários esforços para incrementar a estrutura das unidades de saúde e estimular as equipes a explorarem mais as tecnologias leves no cuidado. Ressalta-se a premência em suprir as unidades com os testes rápidos e realizar a administração da penicilina G benzatina nas unidades de saúde

The services of Primary Health Care (PHC) of the Unifield Health System [Sistema Único de Saúde] are responsible for the majority of the prenatal care in Brazil. Prenatal care has reached high levels of coverage in the country; however, reaching a minimum of doctor's visits does not guarantee the quality of care. Moreover, inequalities in access to prenatal care remain, given that the poorest regions have the most difficult access to care, and adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes persist. The general aim of this study was to evaluate the prenatal care in the services of PHC providers that participated of the second cycle of the National Program to Improve Access and Quality of Primary Care [Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica - PMAQ-AB] in the state of Piauí. This consists of an evaluative research of the analysis of implementation type, subtypes 1-a, 1-b and 3, cross sectional study. The study elaborated the logical, theoretical, and operational models of prenatal care in the services of PHC. The population of this study consisted of 865 teams of PHC providers that participated of the external evaluation in the second cycle of the program, 788 healthcare facilities, and 235 pregnant women or women with children up to two years of age who answered a questionnaire when the external evaluation took place. The study used secondary data from the Ministry of Health's external evaluation, which was collected from January to September 2014. The study described the structure of the healthcare facilities, the teams' work processes, and the care the interviewed women received during their prenatal care. The study analyzes the prevalence of the structure and the work process adjustment for prenatal care according to the macro administrative regions of the state, the, the municipal Index of Human Development (IHDm), population size, and services to the rural population. Only 3.7% of the healthcare facilities had the appropriate structure for prenatal care, the lowest frequencies were for rapid pregnancy tests (10.3%), HIV (8.6%), and syphilis testing (7.4%). The work process was appropriate in 20.8% of the teams and the lowest frequency was that of the administration of Penicillin G Benzathine in the healthcare facilities (55.0%). 10.6% of the women interviewed received all the selected prenatal care. The Cerrados macro-region stood out in terms of the structure for prenatal care. Concerning the suitability of the equipment and materials for the implementation of clinical-obstetrical procedures and vaccine supplies, the healthcare facilities of the municipalities with the highest IHDm prevail. Considering the suitability of the work process, the teams of the Semiárido macro-region prevail, and when the requests for tests is analyzed, the teams with the highest IHDm, and who do not serve rural populations, prevail. The results point out that the greatest challenge is to offer all recommended prenatal care, which distances the practice of these healthcare services from completeness. It can be observed that, when the care provision depends on greater infrastructure, the services of the municipalities with the highest IHDm prevail. There is a need for efforts to increase the structure of the healthcare facilities and to stimulate the teams to explore more soft technologies in care. The study emphasizes the urgency in supplying facilities with rapid tests, and carrying out the administration of Penicillin G Benzathine in the healthcare facilities

Escitalopram-Induced Amenorrhea and False Positive Urine Pregnancy Test / 가정의학회지

Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. A 34-year-old female patient with major depressive disorder developed amenorrhea and had a false-positive urine pregnancy test after initiation of escitalopram treatment. To our knowledge, no published case report of amenorrhea and false-positive urine pregnancy tests in women taking escitalopram exists. This case report suggests that women of child-bearing age should be carefully monitored for amenorrhea while they are on an antidepressant treatment regimen.

Ectopic Pregnancy Implanted on Uterine Myoma / 이화의대지

Ectopic pregnancy is an implantation of the fertilized ovum outside the uterine cavity. Most of ectopic pregnancies are located within the fallopian tube. We describe a rare case of 34-year-old woman complaining of lower abdominal pain and positive urinary pregnancy test. Pelvic ultrasound exam suggested tubal pregnancy with hemoperitoneum. However, pelviscopy revealed the bleeding point was subserosal myoma located just next to the right ovary. Uterus and both fallopian tubes were grossly free. Laparoscopic myomectomy with ectopic mass excision was performed and we observed the serial decrease of beta-hCG level. Patient was well recovered and postoperative finding was not remarkable. Hereby, we report a rare case of ectopic pregnancy on uterine myoma with subserosal type with a brief review of literatures.

Risco da radiação ionizante em mulheres férteis submetidas à ablação por radiofrequência / Risk of ionizing radiation in women of childbearing age undergoing radiofrequency ablation

FUNDAMENTO: A Comissão Internacional de Radiologia indica rastreamento com teste de gravidez a todas pacientes do gênero feminino em período fértil que serão submetidas a exame radiológico. Sabe-se que a radiação é teratogênica e que seu efeito é cumulativo. O potencial teratogênico inicia-se com doses próximas às das utilizadas durante esses procedimentos. Não se sabe a prevalência de teste de gravidez positivo em pacientes submetidos a estudo eletrofisiológico e/ou à ablação por cateter em nosso meio. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de teste de gravidez positivo em pacientes do gênero feminino encaminhadas para estudo eletrofisiológico e/ou ablação por radiofrequência. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com análise de 2.966 pacientes submetidos a estudo eletrofisiológico e/ou ablação por cateter, de junho 1997 a fevereiro 2013, no Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram realizados 1.490 exames em mulheres sendo que, destas, 769 encontravam-se em idade fértil. Todas as pacientes foram rastreadas com teste de gravidez no dia anterior ao procedimento. RESULTADOS: Detectou-se positividade do teste em três pacientes, impossibilitando a realização do exame. Observou-se prevalência de 3,9 casos por 1.000 mulheres em idade fértil. CONCLUSÃO: Devido ao baixo custo e à segurança, indica-se a realização de teste de rastreamento para gravidez a todas pacientes em idade fértil, uma vez que o grau de radiação ionizante necessária nesse procedimento é muito próximo ao limiar de teratogenicidade, principalmente no primeiro trimestre, quando os sinais de gestação não são exuberantes.

BACKGROUND: The International Commission of Radiology recommends a pregnancy screening test to all female patients of childbearing age who will undergo a radiological study. Radiation is known to be teratogenic and its effect is cumulative. The teratogenic potential starts at doses close to those used during these procedures. The prevalence of positive pregnancy tests in patients undergoing electrophysiological studies and/or catheter ablation in our midst is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of positive pregnancy tests in female patients referred for electrophysiological study and/or radiofrequency ablation. METHODS: Cross-sectional study analyzing 2966 patients undergoing electrophysiological study and/or catheter ablation, from June 1997 to February 2013, in the Institute of Cardiology of Rio Grande do Sul. A total of 1490 procedures were performed in women, of whom 769 were of childbearing age. All patients were screened with a pregnancy test on the day before the procedure. RESULTS: Three patients tested positive, and were therefore unable to undergo the procedure. The prevalence observed was 3.9 cases per 1000 women of childbearing age. CONCLUSION: Because of their safety and low cost, pregnancy screening tests are indicated for all women of childbearing age undergoing radiological studies, since the degree of ionizing radiation needed for these procedures is very close to the threshold for teratogenicity, especially in the first trimester, when the signs of pregnancy are not evident.

Evaluation of Leukocyte and Bacterial Interference in Point-of-Care Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Tests

No abstract available.

False-positive Urine Pregnancy Test Due to Leukocyte Interference

No abstract available.

Análise comparativa da acurácia in vitro de testes de detecção de hCG urinário / Comparative analysis of the accuracy of urinary hCG tests in vitro

OBJETIVO: Identificar se os pontos de corte de sensibilidade anunciados por três testes de gravidez na urina são compatíveis com os anunciados pelo fabricante e descrever os seus desempenhos diagnósticos. MÉTODOS: A urina de um voluntário masculino foi usada para diluir β-hCG recombinante em concentrações definidas de 0; 6,25; 12,5; 25; 50; e 100 mUI/mL. As amostras foram codificadas e cegamente analisadas para a positividade em três diferentes lotes dos testes hCG Strip Test Plus®, BioEasy® e Visitect Pregnancy®. O tamanho da amostra foi calculado para um erro alfa de 5 por cento, com um poder de 99 por cento. RESULTADOS: As três marcas apresentaram sensibilidade de 100 por cento na detecção do β-hCG nos três lotes analisados, com 100 por cento de valor preditivo negativo, usando somente controles negativos e amostras com concentrações iguais ou superiores ao limite do teste (n = 180/marca). A acurácia dos testes foi 83 por cento (BioEasy®), 84 por cento (Visitect®) e 91 por cento (Strip Test Plus®). O Strip Test Plus® apresentou o melhor desempenho para a razão de probabilidade positiva (52,5), enquanto que o produto Visitect® teve a melhor razão de probabilidade negativa (zero). CONCLUSÃO: Os três produtos analisados têm a sensibilidade dos pontos de corte anunciados. O produto Strip Test Plus® tem o melhor desempenho para identificar concentrações urinárias de β-hCG > 12,5 mUI/mL, consequentemente, confirmando gravidez, enquanto que o Visitect® tem o melhor desempenho para descartar a presença de β-hCG na urina (probabilidade pós-teste negativo: zero).

OBJECTIVE: To identify whether cutoff for sensitivity advertised by three pregnancy tests in urine are compatible to those reported by the manufacturer and to describe their diagnostic performance. METHODS: The urine of a male volunteer was used to dilute recombinant β-hCG at defined concentrations of 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mIU/mL. The tubes containing each of the concentrations were coded and blindly assessed for positivity in three different lots of hCG tests: Strip Test Plus®, BioEasy®, and Visitect Pregnancy®. The sample size was calculated for an alpha error of 5 percent, with a power of 99 percent. RESULTS: All three brands, in their three lots analyzed, had 100 percent of sensitivity for detecting β-hCG, with 100 percent negative predictive value, using only negative controls and samples with concentrations equal or higher than the test cutoff (n = 180/brand). The accuracy of the tests was 83 percent (BioEasy®), 84 percent(Visitect®) and 91 percent (Strip Test Plus®). Strip Test Plus® had the best positive likelihood ratio (52.5), while Visitect® had the best negative likelihood ratio (zero). CONCLUSION: The three brands have adequate sensitivity for the advertised cutoffs. The Strip Test Plus® test had the best performance to identify urinary concentrations of β-hCG > 12.5 mIU/mL, and consequently, to confirm pregnancy, while Visitect® had the best performance to exclude β-hCG in urine (negative post-test probability: zero).

Effect of beta-hCG with a Point-of-Care Test in the Emergency Department

PURPOSE: The rapid and accurate diagnosis of pregnancy is important in the emergency department (ED) before evaluation of radiologic tests and medication decisions. Our primary objective was to assess the agreement between whole blood pregnancy tests done in the emergency department and those done in laboratory [serum human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) and urine beta-hCG]. The secondary objective was to compare turnaround times for tests done in the ED and those done in the laboratory. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled females of childbearing age needing a pregnancy test who visited an ED. Using whole blood, urine and serum from each patient, testing was done in the ED (whole blood - Hubi Quan pro-point of care test, POCT) and in the laboratory using a urine hCG kit (iIexscreen) and in serum (ADVIA centaur). The data included time of each test, beta-hCG result, and urine pregnancy test result. RESULTS: There was a high level of agreement between the POCT using whole blood and the serum beta-hCG as indicated by a kappa value of 0.921(95% confidence interval). The POCT performed in the ED was significantly faster in time to report than tests performed in the laboratory, with mean differences of 20.21+/-2.0 minutes and 36.14+/-20.86 minutes. The sensitivity and specificity of POCT was 98.18% and 93.75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In ED, the POCT test can perform pregnancy test as accurately as in the laboratory, and can provide results on which to base care much faster than waiting for the laboratory results. POCT may expedite the ED management of patients who require pregnancy tests. Especially, this POCT uses whole blood instead of the urine, since the latter was inconvenient for the test.

A case of ectopic pregnancy after total hysterectomy / 대한산부인과학회지

Ectopic pregnancy after total hysterectomy is a very rare event and this could be the reason for the delay in diagnosis. We report a case of a ruptured tubal pregnancy occurred after hysterectomy and diagnosed by ultrasonography, computed tomography, and laparoscopy. A 37-year-old woman visited our emergency department for evaluation of abdominal pain, 31 days after total abdominal hysterectomy. Ultrasonography and computed tomography scan showed a cystic mass on the right adnexa and a large amount of fluid collection in the pelvic cavity. The patient's urine pregnancy test was positive. Laparoscopic findings revealed a ruptured right tubal pregnancy with hemoperitoneum. Ectopic pregnancy should be included in the differential diagnosis of a patient, even after total hysterectomy has been performed.

Infección por VIH en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires: situación actual y tendencias / Trends and epidemiological pattern of HIV infection in Buenos Aires City

La epidemia de VIH en Argentina sigue siendo concentrada - es decir, con una prevalencia en la población general menor al 1% y superior al 5% en alguna población específica - y predominantemente urbana. En este artículo presentamos un análisis de los datos epidemiológicos de la población de residentes de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA), diagnosticados durante el período 2003-2008 y notificados a la Coordinación Sida del Ministerio de Salud de la Ciudad. Los resultados muestran que la vía sexual sigue siendo la forma principal de transmisión, con predominio del grupo de hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) en la población masculina. La universalización del testeo en embarazadas y una mayor accesibilidad de las mujeres a los servicios de salud podrían haber impactado en el llamado proceso de feminización de la epidemia. El mayor porcentaje de diagnósticos tardíos en la población masculina se observa particularmente en mayores de 50 años y con menor nivel de instrucción, lo que plantea la necesidad de fortalecer las estrategias preventivas y de accesibilidad al testeo en esta población.

Argentina HIV epidemic is a contained and urban epidemic, with a relative slow and stable prevalence. In this paper we analyzed the epidemic profile about Buenos Aires residents for which diagnosis of HIV infection was made between 2003 an 2008 and were notified to the AIDS Programme of the Ministry of Health. Most infections were adquired by sexual transmissions with predominance of men who have sex eith men in the masculine popultaion. Universal HIV testing in pregnancy and facilitate access of women to health services could explain the process of feminization of the epidemy. Predominance of delayed diagnosis in the male population, elder than fifty and with lowest instruction level, suggests the need of enhacing preventive strategies and access to testing in this setting.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Adolescence

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common clinical problem in adolescence but also a potentially difficult condition to treat. Furthermore, most diagnostic criteria and treatment algorithms were optimized for adults and not validated for adolescent population. Abnormal uterine bleeding may be associated with many conditions, including pregnancy, endocrine disorders, chronic diseases and congenital conditions. Using the menstrual cycle as an additional vital sign adds a powerful tool for the isolation of pathological conditions via the assessment of normal development. It is important for clinicians to have an understanding of bleeding patterns of adolescents, the ability to distinguish normal menstruation from abnormal one, and the skill to evaluate the young female patient appropriately. Routine evaluation should include a careful history, physical examination as indicated and permitted, and laboratory studies including a pregnancy test and a complete blood cell count. Quantifying the level of anemia and degree of bleeding along with managing expectations will provide basis for a more successful treatment plan that can almost always avoid surgical methods.

Validation of a job aid to rule out pregnancy among family planning clients in Nicaragua / Validación de una lista de verificación para descartar el embarazo en mujeres que solicitan servicios de planificación familiar en Nicaragua

In Latin America, one of the most common barriers to family planning access is denial of services to women who present at clinics in the absence of menses. Where pregnancy tests are unavailable, many providers fear that nonmenstruating women may be pregnant and, worrying about possible harm to the fetus, require the woman to await the onset of menses before initiating a contraceptive method. In 2005, during a randomized trial of oral contraceptive users in Nicaragua, we assessed a job aid endorsed by the World Health Organization to help providers exclude pregnancy among family planning clients. Among 263 new, nonmenstruating clients, the job aid ruled out pregnancy for 60 percent of the women. Only 1 percent of the women were pregnant, and no woman identified by the job aid as "not pregnant" was pregnant. Provider fears that nonmenstruating clients are pregnant are usually misplaced, while fears that hormonal methods can harm fetuses are exaggerated.

En América Latina, uno de los obstáculos más frecuentes para acceder a los servicios de planificación familiar es la negativa a atender a las mujeres que se presentan en las clínicas sin menstruación. Cuando no hay pruebas de embarazo disponibles, muchos profesionales piensan que las mujeres sin menstruación visible pueden estar embarazadas y por temor a ocasionar algún daño al feto les exigen esperar hasta el inicio de la menstruación para comenzar con algún método anticonceptivo. En 2005, durante un ensayo aleatorizado con usuarias de anticonceptivos orales en Nicaragua, se evaluó una lista de verificación avalada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud para ayudar a los profesionales sanitarios a descartar el embarazo en las mujeres que solicitan servicios de planificación familiar. Este procedimiento permitió descartar el embarazo en 60 por ciento de las 263 mujeres sin menstruación que solicitaban por primera vez ese servicio. Solamente 1 por ciento de las mujeres estaban embarazadas y ninguna de las identificadas por este procedimiento como "no embarazada" lo estaba. El temor de los profesionales de la salud de que las mujeres sin menstruación estén embarazadas es frecuentemente infundado y los temores de que los métodos hormonales puedan dañar al feto son exagerados.

A case of hemoperitoneum to spontaneous rupture of a vein of uterine myoma / 대한산부인과학회지

Uterine leiomyoma is a common benign tumor in reproductive age women. Leiomyoma can cause acute abdominal pain through red degeneration, infection or torsion. Hemoperitoneum secondary to the rupture of superficial vein of a myoma is rare, and is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Because this condition may be life threatening, prompt surgical treatment is mandatory. The possibility of the venous rupture overlying a uterine myoma should be kept in mind in a patient with acute abdomen and hypovolemic shock, especially if the patient had negative pregnancy test and clinically apparent or known myoma.

Prescription Status of Potentially Teratogenic Drugs to Women of Childbearing Age in the Emergency Department of a Teaching Hospital

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to survey the prescription status of potentially teratogenic drugs to women of childbearing age in an emergency department (ED). In addition, the frequency of documentation of patient's pregnancy status was also evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted through the use of warehouse data at a tertiary care center. Women aged 20~39 years who were prescribed drugs that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identifies as class D or X were evaluated. The frequency of prescription of potentially teratogenic drugs and the rate of pregnancy tests performed at the ED were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 7,742 women of childbearing age with ED visits, 1,962(25.3%) patients received at least one potentially teratogenic drug during 2006, based upon the FDA risk classification system. The most frequently prescribed drugs were non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (50.8%), opioid drugs(26.3%), and benzodiazepines(10.3%). The number of pregnancy tests performed before prescribing potentially teratogenic drugs was 838 (39.0%). Among patients for whom a pregnancy test was not performed, only 87(7.6%) patients were advised by their doctors of drug teratogenecity. CONCLUSION: The frequency of prescription of potentially teratogenic drugs to women of childbearing age was 1 in every 4 visits at the ED. In addition, the rates of documentation of pregnancy status and explanation of teratogenecity were relatively low. Introducing a pregnancy information system and a pregnancy alerting system, as well as increasing the frequency of pregnancy tests before prescribing are necessary, not only for pregnant women and fetuses but also for emergency medical personnel at the point of care.