Pattern of hemolysis parameters and association with fetal hemoglobin in sickle cell anemia patients in steady state

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) on hemolysis biomarkers in sickle cell anemia patients. Methods: Fifty adult sickle cell anemia patients were included in the study. All patients were taking hydroxyurea for at least six months and were followed at the outpatient clinic of a hospital in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. The control group consisted of 20 hemoglobin AA individuals. The reticulocyte count was performed by an automated methodology, lactate dehydrogenase and uric acid were measured by spectrophotometry and arginase I by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The presence of Hb S was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. The level of significance was set for a p-value <0.05. Results: A significant increase was observed in the reticulocyte count and lactate dehydrogenase, uric acid and arginase I levels in sickle cell anemia patients compared to the control group (p-value <0.05). Patients having Hb F levels greater than 10% showed a significant decrease in the reticulocyte count, arginase I and lactate dehydrogenase. A significant decrease was observed in arginase I levels in patients taking hydroxyurea at a dose greater than 20 mg/kg/day. Conclusion: The results of this study show that sickle cell anemia patients have increases in the hemolysis biomarkers, lactate dehydrogenase, reticulocyte count, arginase I, uric acid and increases in Hb F can reduce the reticulocyte count and arginase I and lactate dehydrogenase levels.

Contribuições recentes sobre conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas da população brasileira acerca da dengue / Recent contributions about the brazilian population's knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding dengue

O modelo tradicional de controle da dengue no Brasil elegeu como um dos seus principais eixos estratégicos a participação popular. Na prática, essa estratégia tem se mostrado incapaz de promover o envolvimento e a mudança de comportamento da população, considerados essenciais para o controle dessa endemia. No presente estudo, realizou-se uma revisão integrativa de artigos publicados na literatura científica sobre conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas da população acerca da doença. Esse método foi escolhido porque permite reunir e sintetizar resultados de pesquisas sobre o tema selecionado, contribuindo para o aprofundamento do conhecimento em relação ao assunto investigado. Conclui-se que há um distanciamento entre as ações governamentais e a realidade da população, a sugerir a necessidade de implantação de uma política de prevenção e controle menos verticalizada, na qual os conhecimentos sociais possam nortear as estratégias de controle da doença de acordo com os interesses, necessidades, desejos e visões de mundo da comunidade. Nesta perspectiva, a população deixa de ser mera espectadora e dependente de ações previamente definidas para ocupar posição privilegiada nesse processo, assegurando a efetividade e a sustentabilidade das ações do programa.

The traditional model for dengue control in Brazil has established that community participation is one of its main strategic pillars. In practice, this strategy has been unable to promote the involvement and behaviour change of the population, which are considered essential to control this endemic disease. In the present study, we carried out an integrative review of articles published in the scientific literature on knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population about the disease. This method was chosen because it allows gathering and synthesizing research findings on the selected theme, thus contributing to enhance knowledge on the investigated subject. We conclude that there is a gap between the government's actions and the population's reality, which suggests the need to implement a less vertical prevention and control policy, in which social knowledge can guide strategies for disease control in accordance with the community's interests, needs, desires and worldviews. In this perspective, the population ceases to be a mere spectator, dependent on previously defined actions, and occupies a prominent position in the process, ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of the program's activities.

Organização do processo de trabalho no manejo da dengue em uma capital do Nordeste / Organization of the work process in the handling of dengue in a northeastern capital

Este estudo tem como objetivo descrever a organização do processo de trabalho na atenção primária como uma ferramenta de cuidado para os pacientes com suspeita de dengue. A situação de epidemias, em 2011 e 2012, impôs a execução do plano de contingência da dengue, elaborado de forma participativa com Equipes de Saúde da Família. As ações organizadas foram: qualificação dos profissionais, organização do serviço e monitoramento dos casos de dengue. A unidade atuou como a principal porta de entrada para a população. Foram notificados, respectivamente, 677 e 1081 casos em 2011 e 2012, sem o registro de óbitos. Implantar essas ferramentas no âmbito do serviço público constitui-se em um desafio.

This study aims to describe the organization of the work process in primary care as a care tool for patients with suspected dengue. The situation of epidemics in 2011 and 2012 imposed the execution of the dengue's contingency plan, elaborated in a participatory manner with Family Health Teams. The organized actions were: qualification of the professionals, service organization and monitoring of dengue cases. The unit served as the main gateway to the population. Were notified, respectively, 677 and 1081 cases in 2011 and 2012, without the register of deaths. Deploying these tools within the public service constitutes a challenge.