Alcohol use in self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey in Brazil

Abstract Objectives To assess alcohol use and perceived change in alcohol consumption (before and during the pandemic) in Brazilians during the COVID-19 pandemic, their correlates, and their associations with depressive, anxiety and co-occurring depressive and anxiety symptoms (D&A). Methods This is a cross-sectional study comprising 992 individuals in self-isolation. A self-report questionnaire was used to assess whether participants were drinking during self-isolation and whether they changed their drinking behavior (drinking less, more, or no change) from before to during the pandemic. D&A symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories (BDI and BAI). Results A total of 68.5% of participants reported alcohol consumption during the pandemic, and 22.7% of these reported increased alcohol use. Smoking was positively associated with alcohol consumption during the pandemic. Alcohol consumption was associated with anxiety (OR = 1.40, 95%CI 1.06-1.85, p < 0.01) and D&A (OR = 1.38, 95%CI 1.02-1.87, p = 0.033) symptoms. Conclusions Drinking during self-isolation was prevalent and was associated with risk factors for alcohol use disorders. The long-term effects of high drinking rates and increased consumption should be proactively monitored and assessed.

High COVID-19 morbidity and mortality risk among smoked drug users in Brazil

Abstract In much of the West, including Brazil, drug use has increased since social distancing began in response to the pandemic. Use of smoked and modified drugs, and their impacts on health, may contribute to aggravate the effects of the pandemic. However, studies on the relationship between use of smoked drugs and the new coronavirus are still scarce and have not received enough attention in global health recommendations. This paper aims to briefly review the relationship between use of smoked drugs and acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]. Recent studies also suggest that drug consumption increases the risk of contamination by SARS-CoV-2 and leads to worse prognosis, particularly consumption of drugs that affect lung function. Use of smoked drugs, especially tobacco, is strongly associated with lung diseases that are risk factors for contamination by SARS-CoV-2. It is essential to develop strategies based on specific characteristics of drug users and for mental health professionals to be included in strategic teams. It is also necessary to invest in information campaigns regarding risks and prevention of harm caused by smoked drugs as well as to design strategies that facilitate access to psychosocial treatment during the pandemic.

Differential impact on suicide mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Objectives: To compare suicide rates observed in Brazil after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with the estimated rate based on suicide deaths between 2010 and 2020, and identify sociodemographic variables associated with this outcome. Methods: Ecological time-series study. Data were obtained from Brazilian Unified Health System Department of Information Technology (DATASUS), with the structural break of the data set in March 2020. The number of actual suicides observed and the number of expected suicides if there were no COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed through bayesian structural time series modeling. Results: The overall incidence of suicides in Brazil remained stable after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to what would be expected. However, there was a significant increase in suicide deaths among women (6.9%) and older adult (9.1%). Analysis by macro-regions of the country showed significant increases in suicide deaths in the Center-West (7.4%), Northeast (5.7%), and Southeast (10%). Stratified analyses revealed differences according to age, sex, education, and skin color. Conclusions: Despite stability in the overall number of suicides, this phenomenon occurs heterogeneously among different population groups and regions of Brazil. Rates have increased in populations with a history of poor access to health, which may have been more severely impacted by the pandemic.

Inflammatory cytokines and alcohol use disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To assess differences in blood inflammatory cytokines between people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and healthy controls (HC). Methods: Searches were performed from inception through April 14, 2021. Meta-analyses with random-effects models were used to calculate the standardized mean difference ([SMD], 95%CI), and potential sources of heterogeneity were explored trough meta-regressions and subgroup analysis. Results: The meta-analysis included 23 studies on the following 14 cytokines: tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1, IL-1RA, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, IL15, interferon (IFN)-γ and sCD14. There were significantly higher concentrations of IL-6 (n=462 AUD and 408 HC; SMD = 0.523; 95%CI 0.136-0.909; p = 0.008) in AUD than HC. No significant differences were found in the other 13 cytokines. Conclusion: We found that IL-6 levels were significantly higher in individuals with AUD than HC and that other cytokines were not altered. This can be explained by the small number of studies, their methodological heterogeneity, and confounding factors (active use, abstinence, quantity, and physical or psychiatric illnesses, for example). Despite a great deal of evidence about alcohol and inflammatory diseases, studies assessing the role of neuroimmune signaling in the development and severity of AUD are still lacking.

Incidência de AIDS em idosos do Rio Grande do Sul de 1997 a 2017: um estudo ecológico / AIDS incidence in Rio Grande do Sul in elderly from 1997 to 2017: an ecological study / Incidencia de SIDA en personas mayores en Rio Grande do Sul de 1997 a 2017: un estudio ecológico

Justificativa e Objetivos: O Rio Grande do Sul está entre os estados brasileiros com maior percentual de idosos. Mas, apesar das altas taxas de HIV/AIDS que têm sido verificadas na população geral, existem poucas investigações científicas que exploram este tema na população idosa. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a incidência anual de AIDS na população com 60 anos ou mais de idade, residente no estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brasil, no período de 1997 a 2017, e comparar a diferença na taxa de infecção entre os sexos. Métodos: Estudo ecológico de série temporal. As informações sobre as notificações anuais de AIDS foram coletadas no TABNET, e os dados populacionais do RS foram consultados do TABNET e do site da Fundação de Economia e Estatística (FEE) do RS. A incidência anual foi calculada por 100 mil habitantes. Resultados: Entre 1997 e 2017 foram notificados 3.697 casos de AIDS em idosos no RS. No comparativo entre 1997 e 2017, a incidência anual de AIDS em idosos no RS aumentou de 3,92 para 13,71/100 mil habitantes, o que configura um crescimento de 249,93% (340,49% entre homens e 171,50% entre mulheres). Conclusão: O percentual de diagnósticos de AIDS em idosos no RS foi seis vezes superior ao evidenciado na população geral. A taxa em homens foi quase duas vezes mais alta do que a das mulheres. Isso pode decorrer do aumento da expectativa de vida e de fatores relacionados ao comportamento sexual, como o uso de medicações para impotência e reposição hormonal e de tecnologias de comunicação.(AU)

Background and Objectives: Rio Grande do Sul (RS) is one of the Brazilian states with the highest percentage of older adults. However, despite the high rates of HIV/AIDS that have been detected in the general population, there are few scientific investigations regarding its prevalence in the older adult population. Our goal is to identify the annual incidence of AIDS in the population aged 60 or over living in the State of RS, Brazil, from 1997 to 2017, and to compare the sex differences in infection rates. Methods: This was a time-series ecological study. Information on annual AIDS notifications was collected on TABNET, and population data of RS was collected on TABNET and the website of the Foundation of Economy and Statistics (FEE) of RS. The annual incidence was calculated per 100,000 inhabitants. Results: Between 1997 and 2017, 3,697 AIDS cases in older adults were notified in RS. In the comparison between 1997 and 2017, the annual incidence of AIDS in older adults in RS increased from 3.92 to 13.71/100,000 inhabitants, and a 249.93% increase (340.49% among men and 171.50% among women). Conclusion: The percentage of AIDS diagnostic in RS was six times higher in older adults than in the general population. The rate for men was almost twice as high as that for women. This may be due to increased life expectancy and other factors related to sexual behavior, such as medications for erectile dysfunction and hormonal replacement, and communication technologies.(AU)

Justificación y Objetivos: Rio Grande do Sul se encuentra entre los estados brasileños con el mayor porcentaje de personas mayores. Además, se han observado altas tasas de VIH/SIDA en la población general; sin embargo, hay pocas investigaciones científicas que exploren este tema. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar la incidencia anual de SIDA en la población mayor de 60 años residente en Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, en el periodo de 1997 a 2017, así como comparar la diferencia en la tasa de infección entre los sexos. Métodos: Estudio ecológico de series de tiempo. La información sobre las notificaciones anuales de SIDA se consultó en TABNET y los datos de población de ese estado se recopilaron en TABNET y en el sitio web de la Fundación de Economía y Estadística (FEE). La incidencia anual se calculó por 100 mil habitantes. Resultados: Entre 1997 y 2017 se reportaron 3.697 casos de SIDA en las personas mayores en este estado. En la comparación entre 1997 y 2017, la incidencia anual de SIDA en ancianos encontrada pasó de 3,92 a 13,71/100.000 habitantes, lo que representa un aumento del 249,93% (340,49% en hombres y 171,50% entre mujeres). Conclusiones: El porcentaje de diagnóstico de SIDA en personas mayores encontrado fue seis veces mayor al evidenciado en la población general. La tasa de los hombres fue casi el doble que la de las mujeres. Esto puede deberse al aumento de la esperanza de vida y factores relacionados con la conducta sexual, como el uso de medicamentos para la impotencia y el reemplazo hormonal y tecnologías de la comunicación.(AU)

Crack/cocaine users show more family problems than other substance users

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate family problems among crack/cocaine users compared with alcohol and other substance users. METHODS: A cross-sectional multi-center study selected 741 current adult substance users from outpatient and inpatient Brazilian specialized clinics. Subjects were evaluated with the sixth version of the Addiction Severity Index, and 293 crack users were compared with 126 cocaine snorters and 322 alcohol and other drug users. RESULTS: Cocaine users showed more family problems when compared with other drug users, with no significant difference between routes of administration. These problems included arguing (crack 66.5%, powder cocaine 63.3%, other drugs 50.3%, p = 0.004), having trouble getting along with partners (61.5%×64.6%×48.7%, p = 0.013), and the need for additional childcare services in order to attend treatment (13.3%×10.3%×5.1%, p = 0.002). Additionally, the majority of crack/cocaine users had spent time with relatives in the last month (84.6%×86.5%×76.6%, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Brazilian treatment programs should enhance family treatment strategies, and childcare services need to be included. .

End of life in the neonatal intensive care unit

PURPOSE: Death at the beginning of life is tragic but not uncommon in neonatal intensive care units. In Portugal, few studies have examined the circumstances surrounding the final moments of neonates. We evaluated the care given to neonates and their families in terminal situations and the changes that had occurred one decade later. DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed 256 charts in a retrospective chart review of neonatal deaths between two periods (1992-1995 and 2002-2005) in a level III neonatal intensive care unit. RESULTS: Our results show differences in the care of dying infants between the two periods. The analysis of the 2002-2005 cohort four years revealed more withholding and withdrawing of therapeutic activities and more effective pain and distress relief; however, on the final day of life, 95.7 percent of the infants received invasive ventilatory support, 76.3 percent received antibiotics, 58.1 percent received inotropics, and 25.8 percent received no opioid or sedative administration. The 2002-2005 cohort had more spiritual advisor solicitation, a higher number of relatives with permission to freely visit and more clinical meetings with neonatologists. Interventions by parents, healthcare providers and ethics committees during decision-making were not documented in any of the charts. Only eight written orders regarding therapeutic limitations and the adoption of palliative care were documented; seven (87.5 percent) were from the 2002-2005 cohort. Parental presence during death was more frequent in the latter four years (2002-2005 cohort), but only 21.5 percent of the parents wanted to be present at that moment. CONCLUSION: Despite an increase in the withholding and withdrawing of therapeutic activities and improvements in pain management and family support, many neonates still receive curative and aggressive practices at the end of life.