Profile of acupuncture use among primary care physicians working in the Brazilian public healthcare system.

BACKGROUND: An introductory acupuncture course has been offered to primary health care physicians and family medicine residents in southern Brazil since 2011. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the profile of acupuncture utilization of primary care physicians who completed an introductory course of acupuncture between 2011 and 2018. METHOD: A survey using an electronic questionnaire was sent to all 119 physicians who completed the course. RESULTS: Fifty-five physicians answered the questionnaire. The majority of them reported continuation of the practice of acupuncture in scheduled appointments and on spontaneous demand. The most commonly used principles of point selection were traditional acupuncture point function, myofascial trigger point needling and point protocols. As barriers to the practice of acupuncture, time limitation and inadequate physical space were predominant. The participants described the problem-solving potential of the procedure and good patient acceptance as facilitators. The most common problems treated with acupuncture were musculoskeletal pain, and mood and anxiety disorders. A reduction in referrals to specialists and reduced prescription of pain medications were also reported. Most physicians answered that they often combined acupuncture with other medications or associated acupuncture with other complementary practices. The main adverse events reported by the participants were vascular trauma and fainting. CONCLUSION: Most primary care physicians who completed the introductory course and answered the survey still used acupuncture in their routine, primarily for the management of musculoskeletal conditions and mental health conditions. These physicians reported reductions in specialist referrals and prescription of pain medication after integrating basic acupuncture skills into primary care practice.

LATE IMPACT OF THE LAPAROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF DEEP INFILTRATING ENDOMETRIOSIS WITH SEGMENTAL COLORECTAL RESECTION.

BACKGROUND: Deep infiltrating colorectal endometriosis may severely affect the quality of life and fertility of patients. Although segmental resection is a therapeutic option that provides positive outcomes in the management of symptoms, its functional effects are still unproven. AIM: Assess the late impact of the laparoscopic approach in treating deep infiltrating endometriosis with segmental colorectal resection. METHODS: Prospective case series of 46 patients submitted to laparoscopic treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis with segmental colorectal resection between 2013 and 2016. Fertility, gynecological and bowel symptoms were assessed at the preoperative period and at three and 12 months (or more) after the procedure. RESULTS: Preoperative interview assessed the prevalence of infertility (45.6%), gynecological (87%) and intestinal (80.4%) symptoms. At the third month after the procedure a significant reduction in the prevalence of gynecological symptoms (p<0,001), tenesmus (p=0,001) and dysquesia (p=0,002) was observed. After a period of 12 months or more following the procedure a significant reduction in the prevalence persisted for dysmenorrhea (p=0,001), deep dyspareunia (p=0,041), chronic pelvic pain (p=0,011) and dysquesia (p=0,001), as compared to the preoperative period. Total pregnancy rate was 57.1% and spontaneous pregnancy 47.6%. CONCLUSION: The treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis using segmental colorectal resection has provided early and late relief of gynecological and bowel symptoms. The outcomes also indicate a positive impact on the fertility of infertile patients.

Late impact of the laparoscopic treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis with segmental colorectal resection / Impacto tardio do tratamento laparoscópico da endometriose profunda infiltrativa com ressecção segmentar colorretal

ABSTRACT Background: Deep infiltrating colorectal endometriosis may severely affect the quality of life and fertility of patients. Although segmental resection is a therapeutic option that provides positive outcomes in the management of symptoms, its functional effects are still unproven. Aim: Assess the late impact of the laparoscopic approach in treating deep infiltrating endometriosis with segmental colorectal resection. Methods: Prospective case series of 46 patients submitted to laparoscopic treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis with segmental colorectal resection between 2013 and 2016. Fertility, gynecological and bowel symptoms were assessed at the preoperative period and at three and 12 months (or more) after the procedure. Results: Preoperative interview assessed the prevalence of infertility (45.6%), gynecological (87%) and intestinal (80.4%) symptoms. At the third month after the procedure a significant reduction in the prevalence of gynecological symptoms (p<0,001), tenesmus (p=0,001) and dysquesia (p=0,002) was observed. After a period of 12 months or more following the procedure a significant reduction in the prevalence persisted for dysmenorrhea (p=0,001), deep dyspareunia (p=0,041), chronic pelvic pain (p=0,011) and dysquesia (p=0,001), as compared to the preoperative period. Total pregnancy rate was 57.1% and spontaneous pregnancy 47.6%. Conclusion: The treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis using segmental colorectal resection has provided early and late relief of gynecological and bowel symptoms. The outcomes also indicate a positive impact on the fertility of infertile patients.

RESUMO Racional: A endometriose profunda infiltrativa colorretal pode impactar de maneira importante na qualidade de vida e na fertilidade das pacientes. A ressecção segmentar é uma opção terapêutica com resultados positivos na queda dos sintomas, porém ainda sem efeitos funcionais comprovados. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto tardio do tratamento laparoscópico da endometriose profunda infiltrativa com ressecção segmentar colorretal. Métodos: Série de casos prospectiva com 46 pacientes submetidas ao tratamento laparoscópico para endometriose profunda infiltrativa com ressecção segmentar colorretal entre 2013 e 2016. Foram analisados sintomas ginecológicos, intestinais e a fertilidade no período pré-operatório, três e 12 meses ou mais após o procedimento. Resultados: Na entrevista pré-operatória, foram levantadas as prevalências de sintomas ginecológicos (87%), intestinais (80,4%) e de infertilidade (45,6%). No 3º mês pós-operatório, observou-se redução significativa da prevalência dos sintomas ginecológicos (p<0,001) e de sintomas intestinais, tenesmo (p=0,001) e disquesia (p=0,002). Após 12 meses ou mais observou-se diminuição significativa da prevalência de dismenorreia (p=0,001), de dispareunia profunda (p=0,041) e de dor pélvica crônica (p=0,011) além de disquesia (p=0,001) em relação ao período pré-operatório. As taxas de gravidez total e espontânea foram de 57,1% e 47,6%, respectivamente. Conclusão: O tratamento da endometriose profunda infiltrativa com ressecção segmentar colorretal proporcionou alívio precoce e tardio dos sintomas ginecológicos e intestinais. Os resultados sugerem impacto positivo sobre a fertilidade em pacientes inférteis.