Identidade profissional do psicólogo judiciário: um estudo sobre configurações identitárias / Forensic psychologist´s professional identity: a study about identity configurations / Identidad profesional del psicólogo forense: un estudio sobre configuraciones de identidad

Este estudo objetivou descrever a identidade profissional de psicólogos judiciários, partindo do cenário contemporâneo da Psicologia Jurídica brasileira, contexto que envolve crises e conflitos sobre a forma de responder a atribuições e demandas do campo legal. Pela perspectiva da sociologia das identidades profissionais de Claude Dubar, sustenta-se a hipótese de que a identidade profissional do psicólogo judiciário depende de estratégias de compatibilização entre o pertencimento à categoria e as atribuições legais e institucionais. Participaram 95 psicólogos do quadro ativo do Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo, que responderam a um formulário online sobre a percepção de si e do campo de atuação. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo. Os resultados indicam a saliência da avaliação psicológica e da interdisciplinaridade na identidade profissional, e as rupturas identitárias diante de práticas verificatórias. Tais achados apontam a necessidade de participação da categoria na construção de suas atribuições; e dificuldades para o exercício das funções por limitações à autonomia profissional.(AU)

This study aimed to describe the professional identity of forensic psychologists, considering Brazil's Legal Psychology contemporary scenario which relates to a critical issues on how practitioners respond the demands of the legal system. Based on Claude Dubar's sociology of professional identities, we support the hypothesis that forensic psychologists' professional identity depends on strategies of compatibilization between belonging their reference group and the institutional attributions. There were 95 participants, all from the current staff of the Court of Justice of the state of São Paulo, who answered an online form. The data were subjected to content analysis. The results indicate a professional identity with noted salience on psychological assessment and interdisciplinarity, and the identity crises regarding verification practices. Such findings highlight the importance of practitioners taking part on the construction of their own tasks.(AU)

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir la identidad profesional de los psicólogos forenses, considerando el escenario de la Psicología Jurídica brasileña, que se relaciona con una crisis sobre si estos profesionales responden a las demandas del sistema legal. Teniendo en cuenta la sociología de las identidades profesionales de Claude Dubar, sostenemos la hipótesis de que la identidad profesional de los psicólogos forenses depende de estrategias de compatibilización entre la pertenencia a su grupo profesional y a instituciones. Participaron 95 psicólogos, quienes actuaban en el Tribunal de Justicia del Estado de São Paulo, a los cuales se aplicó un formulario en línea. Los datos se sometieron a análisis de contenido. Los resultados indican una identidad profesional saliente en cuanto a la evaluación psicológica y la interdisciplinariedad, pero también crisis de identidad en relación con las prácticas de verificación. Tales resultados señalan la importancia de que la categoría participe en la construcción de sus propias atribuciones.(AU)

"Tabela Periódica" da Anticoncepção ­ uma ferramenta na escolha contraceptiva / "Periodic Table" of Contraception ­ a tool in the contraceptive choice

Estima-se que 40% das gestações no mundo sejam não planejadas. Em países de baixa renda, complicações no parto são a maior causa de morte entre mulheres de 15 a 19 anos. A disponibilidade de métodos contraceptivos reversíveis é necessária para o adequado planejamento reprodutivo. Entre os métodos reversíveis, os de longa ação (LARCs) são os mais efetivos. Métodos de curta ação (SARCs) são preferenciais para pacientes que desejam gestar a curto prazo e para as quais a gestação não será indesejada. O presente estudo é uma revisão narrativa da literatura, de artigos em inglês e português publicados entre 2009 e 2020, utilizando as bases de dados SciELO, Medline e Embase. O objetivo desta revisão é apresentar os LARCs e SARCs em uma tabela com dados comparativos que auxiliem na tomada de decisão do médico e da paciente e permita estabelecer estratégias para um planejamento familiar adequado.(AU)

It is estimated that 40% of pregnancies in the world are unplanned. In low-income countries, complications in childbirth are the major cause of death among women aged 15 to 19 years. The availability of reversible contraceptive methods is necessary for proper reproductive planning. Among the reversible methods, long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) is the most effective. Short-acting reversible contraception (SARCs) methods are preferred for patients who wish to become pregnant in the short term and for whom pregnancy will not be undesirable. The present study is a narrative review of the literature, of articles in English and Portuguese published between 2009 and 2020, using the databases SciELO, Medline and Embase. The purpose of this review is to present the LARCs and SARCs in a table with comparative data that assist in the decision making of the doctor and the patient and allow to establish strategies for adequate family planning.(AU)

Proteção social e política pública para populações vulneráveis: uma avaliação do Benefício de Prestação Continuada da Assistência Social - BPC no Brasil / Social protection and public policy for vulnerable populations: an assessment of the Continuous Cash Benefit Program of Welfare in Brazil

Resumo O artigo descreve a evolução histórica e o perfil dos requerentes do Benefício de Prestação Continuada da Assistência Social (BPC), destinado a idosos e pessoas pobres com deficiência, que utiliza, desde 2009, critérios de elegibilidade construídos com base na CIF/OMS e em consonância com a Convenção sobre os Direitos das Pessoas com deficiência da ONU. O comportamento dos benefícios foi determinado a partir da análise dos coeficientes de concessões gerais e não judiciais, entre 1998 e 2014. O perfil, segundo situação de deferimento, idade, sexo e componentes da CIF, foi estabelecido para os anos de 2010 e 2014. O crescimento médio anual do coeficiente foi maior de 2000 a 2010, anterior à adoção do modelo de elegibilidade biopsicossocial, enquanto o de concessões não judiciais cresceu até 2010, decrescendo a seguir. A razão de deferimento foi maior entre as crianças e entre os que enfrentam barreiras ambientais, limitações e restrições e alterações corporais graves ou completas. A implantação do modelo de avaliação biopsicossocial não ocasionou aumento no ritmo de concessões e os resultados evidenciam a necessidade de flexibilização dos critérios de elegibilidade.

Abstract This paper describes the historical development and profile of Continuous Cash Benefit (BPC) applicants, intended for poor elderly and people with disabilities, which, since 2009, uses eligibility criteria based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) of the WHO and is aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The behavior of benefits was determined from the analysis the coefficients of the general and non-judicial grants between 1998 and 2014. The profile was established for the years 2010 and 2014 according to situation of acceptance, age, gender and ICF components. The average annual growth of the coefficient was higher from 2000 to 2010, prior to the adoption of the biopsychosocial eligibility model, and the coefficient of non-judicial grants increased until 2010, falling thereafter. The deferrals acceptance /rejections ratio was higher among children and among those facing severe or total environmental barriers, limitations, constraints and bodily changes. The implementation of the biopsychosocial evaluation model did not cause an increased rate of grants and results evidence the need for flexibility in the eligibility criteria.

Criterios Médicos de elegibilidad para el uso de anticonceptivos de la OMS / Medical eligibility criteria for the use of WHO contraceptives

Introducción: Los "Criterios Médicos de Elegibilidad para el Uso de Anticonceptivos" de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) son una guía para la correcta elección y uso de los métodos anticonceptivos en variadas condiciones de salud. En este documento revisaremos las principales modificaciones en su quinta y última edición publicada en inglés el año 2015. Desarrollo: Las modificaciones de la quinta edición son fundamentalmente la adición de nuevos métodos y la modificación de la categoría de recomendación para algunas condiciones de salud. Se agregan el acetato de medroxiprogesterona de depósito vía subcutánea, el anillo vaginal de progesterona, el implante anticonceptivo subcutáneo sinoimplant(II)® y el método anticonceptivo de emergencia acetato de ulipristal. Se modifican las recomendaciones para las mujeres en lactancia, permitiendo el uso de algunos métodos de progestágeno solo desde el posparto inmediato, salvo el acetato de medroxiprogesterona de depósito por entregar una dosis elevada del esteroide y el dispositivo intrauterino (DIU) con levonorgestrel, el cual sigue las normas de los DIU con cobre. También hay modificación en las recomendaciones en cuanto al uso de anticonceptivos combinados en el puerperio, con más restricciones para mujeres sin lactancia. Por último, sobre el uso de terapia antiretroviral, cambian algunas categorías y se amplía el listado de fármacos detallados. Conclusión: Es necesario que los profesionales de salud conozcan estas modificaciones para poder entregar una atención de calidad a las usuarias de anticoncepción.

Introduction: The "Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use" published by the World Health Organization (WHO) is a guide for the correct choice and use of the contraceptive methods in many different health conditions. In this document we will review the main changes made in the fifth and last edition of this guide published in English in 2015. Development: The modifications of this last edition are the addition of new contraceptive methods and the modification of the category of the recommendation for some health conditions. It adds the medroxiprogesterone acetate subcutaneous injection, the progesterone vaginal ring, the subcutaneous contraceptive implant sinoimplant(II)® and ulipristal acetate as emergency contraception. There are modifications of the recommendations for breastfeeding women, allowing the use of some progestin only methods since the immediate postpartum, with the exception of medroxiprogesterone acetate because it delivers a high dose of the steroid and the levonorgestrel intrauterine device that follows the same recommendations as the copper intrauterine device. There are also modifications in the recommendations for the use of combined contraceptives in the first 42 days postpartum, with more restrictions for non-breastfeeding women. Finally, on the use of antiretroviral therapy drugs, there were changes of some categories and a detailed categorization for each drug. Conclusion: It is necessary for health care providers to know these changes in order to deliver a quality care to contraception users.

HIV-infected presumptive tuberculosis patients without tuberculosis: How many are eligible for antiretroviral therapy in Karnataka, India?

For certain subgroups within people living with the human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] [active tuberculosis [TB], pregnant women, children <5 years old, and serodiscordant couples], the World Health Organization recommends antiretroviral therapy [ART] irrespective of CD4 count. Another subgroup which has received increased attention is ''HIV-infected presumptive TB patients without TB". In this study, we assess the proportion of HIV-infected presumptive TB patients eligible for ART in Karnataka State [population 60 million], India. This was a crosssectional analysis of data of HIV-infected presumptive TB patients diagnosed in May 2015 abstracted from national TB and HIV program records. Of 42,585 presumptive TB patients, 28,964 [68%] were tested for HIV and 2262 [8%] were HIV positive. Of the latter, 377 [17%] had active TB. Of 1885 ''presumptive TB patients without active TB", 1100 [58%] were already receiving ART. Of the remaining 785 who were not receiving ART, 617 [79%] were assessed for ART eligibility and of those, 548 [89%] were eligible for ART. About 90% of ''HIV-infected presumptive TB patients without TB" were eligible for ART. This evidence supports a public health approach of starting all ''HIV-infected presumptive TB patients without TB" on ART irrespective of CD4 count in line with global thinking about 'test and treat'

Vitamin D and fibromyalgia: a meta-analysis

Vitamin D is a cofactor responsible for autoimmune disorders. There is no agreement in the studies investigating the association between vitamin D and fibromyalgia. This study aims to combine the conflicting results of the primary studies which compared these patients with control groups regarding the serum concentration of vitamin D. This meta-analysis has been designed based on PRISMA guidelines. Relevant keywords were searched in PubMed, Science direct, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google scholar and primary studies were selected. After screening the eligible studies according to inclusion/exclusion criteria, we investigated the risk of bias in the selected studies and also the heterogeneity between the primary results using Cochrane (Q) and I-squared (I2) indices. The primary results were combined using inverse variance method and Cohen statistics as well as a random effects model. Publication bias was assessed using Egger test. Sensitivity analysis was applied to investigate the influence of each primary study on the final result of the meta-analysis. Suspected factors in the heterogeneity were assessed using meta-regression models. We entered 12 eligible studies in the meta-analysis including 851 cases compared with 862 controls. The standardized mean difference of Vitamin D between the two groups was −0.56 (95% confidence interval: −1.05, −0.08). Our meta-analysis showed that vitamin D serum levels of patients with fibromyalgia was significantly lower than that of control group.

Moving toward Universal Coverage of Health Insurance in Vietnam: Barriers, Facilitating Factors, and Lessons from Korea

Vietnam has pursued universal health insurance coverage for two decades but has yet to fully achieve this goal. This paper investigates the barriers to achieve universal coverage and examines the validity of facilitating factors to shorten the transitional period in Vietnam. A comparative study of facilitating factors toward universal coverage of Vietnam and Korea reveals significant internal forces for Vietnam to further develop the National Health Insurance Program. Korea in 1977 and Vietnam in 2009 have common characteristics to be favorable of achieving universal coverage with similarities of level of income, highly qualified administrative ability, tradition of solidarity, and strong political leadership although there are differences in distribution of population and structure of the economy. From a comparative perspective, Vietnam can consider the experience of Korea in implementing the mandatory enrollment approach, household unit of eligibility, design of contribution and benefit scheme, and resource allocation to health insurance for sustainable government subsidy to achieve and sustain the universal coverage of health insurance.

Clinical Features of Patients on Home Oxygen Therapy Due to Chronic Respiratory Failure at One University Hospital

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Home oxygen therapy (HOT) costs a great deal every year and demand for the service is growing. In Korea, health insurance has covered HOT since November 1, 2006. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical features of patients who used long-term HOT due to chronic respiratory failure and to determine the appropriateness of oxygen prescriptions. METHODS: Between November 2006 and April 2010, patients prescribed long-term HOT were enrolled in the study at a tertiary university referral hospital and their medical records and telephone survey information were evaluated. In total, 340 patients were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Regarding the initial indications for HOT, their mean PaO2 was 49.8 mmHg and mean SpO2 was 82.2%. Underlying diseases included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, 19.8%), lung cancer (12.6%), and interstitial lung disease (11.2%). The admission rate within 1 year was 53.4% and the average number of admissions was 1.64/patient. Other underlying diseases for which oxygen was prescribed, despite not meeting the insurance coverage criteria, were lung cancer (36.6%) and interstitial pneumonia (16.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Home oxygen prescriptions have increased since health insurance coverage was extended. However, cases of oxygen prescriptions frequently do not meet the coverage criteria. It is important to discuss extending the coverage criteria to other disease groups, such as interstitial lung disease and lung cancer, in terms of cost-effectiveness. Further, physicians prescribing oxygen therapy should be educated regarding the criteria.

El GES promueve la equidad en el tratamiento del gran quemado de la tercera edad / Analysis of the explicit guarantees of health inclusion criteria for elderly burned patients

Background: The guidelines for the treatment of severely burned patients, ineluded in the explicit guarantees in health care (GES), accept having a Garces' index over 70, among others, as an inclusion criterion. This criterion allows elderly patients with small total burn surface area (TBSA) to have access to GES. Aim: To analyze if a universal access to GES for this group of patients is justified. Material and Methods: Revision of medical records of adult patients admitted to a burn service. Causative agent, TBSA, associated illnesses and outcome were compared between 218 subjects aged 65 years or more and 720 subjects aged less than 65 years. Results: Older subjects had smaller TBSA, a lower prevalence of inhalation injury and more associated diseases. Their lethality was three times greater than that of younger subjects and their risk of dying. When adjusting for TBSA, presence of inhalation injury and associated diseases was 11 times greater. Conclusions: The inclusion of older people with lower TBSA in the explicit guarantees in health is fully justified, considering the lethality of burns in this age group.

Bariatric surgery: an IDF statement for obese Type 2 diabetes / Cirurgia bariátrica: uma comunicação da IDF sobre o diabetes tipo 2 em obesos

The International Diabetes Federation Taskforce on Epidemiology and Prevention of Diabetes convened a consensus working group of diabetologists, endocrinologists, surgeons and public health experts to review the appropriate role of surgery and other gastrointestinal interventions in the treatment and prevention of Type 2 diabetes. The specific goals were: to develop practical recommendations for clinicians on patient selection; to identify barriers to surgical access and suggest interventions for health policy changes that ensure equitable access to surgery when indicated; and to identify priorities for research. Bariatric surgery can significantly improve glycaemic control in severely obese patients with Type 2 diabetes. It is an effective, safe and cost-effective therapy for obese Type 2 diabetes. Surgery can be considered an appropriate treatment for people with Type 2 diabetes and obesity not achieving recommended treatment targets with medical therapies, especially in the presence of other major co-morbidities. The procedures must be performed within accepted guidelines and require appropriate multidisciplinary assessment for the procedure, comprehensive patient education and ongoing care, as well as safe and standardized surgical procedures. National guidelines for bariatric surgery need to be developed for people with Type 2 diabetes and a BMI of 35 kg/m² or more.

A Força-Tarefa para Epidemiologia e Prevenção da International Diabetes Federation reuniu um grupo de trabalho com diabetologistas, endocrinologistas, cirurgiões e especialistas em saúde pública para revisar o papel correto da cirurgia e outras intervenções gastrointestinais no tratamento e prevenção do diabetes tipo 2 em obesos. Os objetivos específicos foram: desenvolver recomendações práticas para a seleção dos pacientes; identificar barreiras ao acesso à cirurgia e sugerir intervenções para mudanças das políticas de saúde que garantam equidade de acesso à cirurgia, quando indicada, e identificar prioridades para a pesquisa. A cirurgia bariátrica pode gerar uma melhora significativa no controle glicêmico em pacientes com obesidade grave e diabetes tipo 2. Ela é um tratamento efetivo, seguro e de bom custo-benefício para pacientes obesos com diabetes tipo 2. A cirurgia pode ser considerada um tratamento apropriado para pessoas com diabetes tipo 2 e obesidade que não consigam atingir as metas recomendadas de tratamento com terapias medicamentosas, especialmente na presença de outras comorbidades maiores. Os procedimentos devem ser executados por meio de diretrizes aceitas e requerem uma avaliação multidisciplinar, um processo amplo de educação do paciente e cuidados contínuos, além de procedimentos cirúrgicos seguros e padronizados. As diretrizes nacionais para a cirurgia bariátrica devem ser desenvolvidas para pacientes com diabetes tipo 2 e IMC de 35 kg/m² ou mais.

Indicação e elegibilidade esportiva em crianças e adolescentes com cardiopatias congênitas e adquiridas / Sports and eligibility statement in children and adolescents with congenital heart defects acquired

As atividades físicas e esportivas fazem parte do dia-a-dia de crianças e adolescentes. Nos últimos anos houveram importantes avanços no diagnóstico, tratamento e manejo das cardiopatias congênitas e adquiridas, criando uma população de crianças e adolescentes que merecem atenção quanto à orientação da prática esportiva. O objetivo deste texto e orientar sobre a fisiopatologia das cardiopatias mais prevalentes nesta faixa etária e a elegibilidade esportiva de cada uma delas.

Hospice Medical Guideline, Non-Cancer Diseases / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

Hospice is defined by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO, USA) and WHO, as a program of care that provides comprehensive medical, nursing and support services to dying patients and their family. Despite its broad definition, however, hospice care in Korea has been focused mostly on terminal cancer patients. Thus hospice eligibility for patients with advanced cancer is relatively easier to predict than those with other fatal chronic illnesses such as heart, lung, renal or liver diseases, and dementia. This makes it more difficult for patients and families to prepare for death and gain full benefits of hospice care. This article introduces the medical guidelines for selected non-cancer patients who are expected to live for only six months, this making it possible for patients, who are nearing the end of life, to avoid unwarranted suffering.

non opioid fast track anesthetic regimen for colonic resection

Fast-tracking implies a preoperative patient care paradigm that reduces time to recovery and discharge. The current study adopted fast-track anesthetic techniques, comparing outcome of a multimodal non-opioid and another opioid regimen, on recovery profiles after colonic surgery, with standard anesthetic practice. Seventy five ASA II colectomy patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Control group for conventional general anesthetic technique and two fast-track anesthesia groups using combined light general anesthesia and epidural techniques. Epidural maintenance was by infusion cocktail of bupivacaine-fentanyl in opioid-based group, while in non-opioid group by bupivacaine-ketamine which were both continued postoperatively for pain in lower doses and concentrations. Postoperative analgesia in control group was achieved by morphine. Supplemental ketorolac and acetaminophen were added only to non-opioid group. Early and intermediate recovery profiles were compared among the three groups together with recorded side effects. All patients in fast-track groups had significant shorter times to: awakening, extubation, orientation, both PACU arrival and discharge, hospital stay with a significant lower mean VAS for pain at rest, and rescue analgesia, compared to control group. Control group had a significant higher rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting, drowsiness and pruritis. Non-opioid fast-track regimen had a significant shorter PACU and hospital stay with lower side-effects rate than opioid one. Fast-track anesthesia enhanced recovery profile. Non-opioid regimen was superior to opioid-based, having a better recovery profile and a lower rate of side-effects

Avaliação pré-participação e elegibilidade de crianças para atividades esportivas / Pre-participation evaluation and eligibility of children for sports activities

Em crianças saudáveis e cardiopatas, a atividade física e desportiva tem grande importância no desenvolvimento físico, social e psicólogo e deve ser sempre estimulada, ams devemos também levar em conta as peculiaridades infantis frente ao crescimento e ao desenvolvimento. A avaliação pré-participação esportiva nesta população tem o intuito de afastar possíveis doenças que aumentam risco de morte súbito durante a atividade física, além de orientar a prescrição dos exercícios, a fim de evitar sobrecargas dos sitemas cardíaco e osteomolecular que podem ser deletérias para o desenvolvimento. Atletas jovens com cardiopatias limitantes merecem atenção especial, sendo estimulados e orientados a praticar esporte compatível com suas restrições, com acompanhamento periódico.

Development of a Web-based Donor Eligibility Expert System / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: The determination of blood donor eligibility has become critical and challenging to blood operators as so many conditions and restrictions should be considered to correctly decide the donor eligibility. Since the launching of the BIMS (Blood Information Management System) in May 2003, the demand of developing a more intelligent system to assist the determination of donor eligibility has been growing. The Korean Red Cross Blood Service intended to develop an expert system for donor eligibility determination with high efficiency and ease of use. METHODS: The content of the system was determined through the activity of a team consisting of medical doctors, nurses, safety managers, and the system developers. Algorithms were developed according to the donor history taking process. The efficiency of the system was tested by the comparison of the time needed for inquiries and the number of inappropriate blood collections before and after the implementation of the new system. RESULTS: The new system's user interface integrated many complicated work processes with a user-friendly flexibility. The types of decision included the restricted donations. The donor interviewers were highly satisfied with the system because almost all cases were correctly determined in a relatively short time. Using this system, the number of inappropriate blood collections was significantly lowered. CONCLUSION: We developed an expert system that can aide the donor eligibility determination process and prevent the violation of the related regulations. This system will contribute to enhancement of the blood safety as well as donor protection for our blood services.

Development of a Web-based Donor Eligibility Expert System / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: The determination of blood donor eligibility has become critical and challenging to blood operators as so many conditions and restrictions should be considered to correctly decide the donor eligibility. Since the launching of the BIMS (Blood Information Management System) in May 2003, the demand of developing a more intelligent system to assist the determination of donor eligibility has been growing. The Korean Red Cross Blood Service intended to develop an expert system for donor eligibility determination with high efficiency and ease of use. METHODS: The content of the system was determined through the activity of a team consisting of medical doctors, nurses, safety managers, and the system developers. Algorithms were developed according to the donor history taking process. The efficiency of the system was tested by the comparison of the time needed for inquiries and the number of inappropriate blood collections before and after the implementation of the new system. RESULTS: The new system's user interface integrated many complicated work processes with a user-friendly flexibility. The types of decision included the restricted donations. The donor interviewers were highly satisfied with the system because almost all cases were correctly determined in a relatively short time. Using this system, the number of inappropriate blood collections was significantly lowered. CONCLUSION: We developed an expert system that can aide the donor eligibility determination process and prevent the violation of the related regulations. This system will contribute to enhancement of the blood safety as well as donor protection for our blood services.

Eligibility for HIV/AIDS Treatment among Adults in a Medical Emergency Setting at an Urban Hospital in Uganda

Background: Despite global effort to scale up access to antiretroviral therapy (ART); many people in need of HIV/AIDS care in Uganda have not been reached. HIV testing and ART are not widely offered as routine medical services and data on HIV/AIDS in emergency settings in Sub-Saharan Africa is limited.We determined the HIV prevalence and eligibility for ART in a medical emergency unit at Mulago hospital. Methods: In a cross-sectional study; we interviewed 223 patients who were systematically selected from the patients'register from October through December 2004. HIV testing was offered routinely and results were delivered within 30 minutes.We evaluated HIV infected patients for WHO clinical stage of disease and referred them for HIV/AIDS care. Results: Out of 223 patients; 111 (50) had HIV infection of whom 78 (70) had WHO clinical stage 3 and 4 of disease thereby requiring ART. Overall; 84 out of 111 (76) HIV positive patients had not received any specific HIV/AIDS care. Conclusion: The burden of HIV infection in the medical emergency unit is high and majority of the patients who required ART had no prior HIV/AIDS care.We recommend scale up of HIV/AIDS care in acute care settings in order to increase access to ART

Serum lipid levels and the prevalence of dyslipidaemia among rural and urban Thai adults--are the NCEP III guidelines appropriate?

The authors' objective was to describe the distribution of serum lipids and the prevalence of dyslipidaemia using US lipid-lowering guidelines in an adult Thai population. Fasting serum lipids were measured in a population-based survey that included 5305 rural and urban Thai adults aged 335 years. The US National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines were used to determine the eligibility of each individual for lipid-lowering therapy. Compared with urban residents, rural residents had lower mean levels of total cholesterol (men. 4.80 vs 5.54 mmol/L, women: 5.18 vs 5.71 mmol/L, both p < 0.001) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (men: 1.06 vs 1.19 mmol/L, women: 1.13 vs 1.34 mmol/L, both p < 0.001). Mean triglyceride levels were higher in rural compared to urban populations, for both men (2.15 vs 1.88 mmol/L, p = 0.001) and women (1. 73 vs 1.51 mmol/L, p = 0.01). Direct application of the NCEP guidelines identified up to 37% of the adult population (or 10 million adult Thais) as eligible for lipid-lowering drug therapy, which is an unfeasibly high proportion of the population. Urgent strategies are required to prevent increasing levels of dyslipidaemia in Thailand, as well as to develop and promulgate treatment guidelines that incorporate locally-relevant risk prediction functions.