Accuracy of wearable electronic device compared to manual and automatic methods of blood pressure determination.

Blood pressure (BP) is the main biomarker for monitoring patients, as its lack of control above values considered normal is a modifiable risk factor for target organ damage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the wearable electronic device photoplethysmography technology (PPG) Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 in determining BP in young patients compared to manual and automatic methods of BP determination. This is a quantitative and cross-sectional study, following validation protocols for wearable devices and BP measurement. It was carried out with twenty healthy young adults, in which BP was measured using four instruments, namely, standard sphygmomanometer device (manual), automatic arm oscillometric device (reference), wrist oscillometric device, and Smartwatch PPG. Eighty systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings were observed. SBP means manual 118 ± 2.20,arm 113 ± 2.54, wrist 118 ± 2.51, and PPG (smartwatch) 113 ± 2.58. Among means, arm and PPG difference is 0.15, arm and wrist 4.95, arm and manual 4.45 wrist with PPG. The mean DBP manual 76.7 ± 1.84, arm 73.6 ± 1.92, wrist 79.3 ± 1.87, and PPG 72.2 ± 1.38. Among means, the difference between the arm and PPG is 1.4 and arm and hand 3.5 mmHg. The correlation shows PPG with manual, arm, and wrist. There was a strong SBP correlation and a moderate DBP correlation between the methods tested, evidencing the accuracy of the PPG smartwatch in relation to the reference method.

Changes in renal function increase the need for advanced ventilatory support and increase the risk of mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

In addition to respiratory failure, another important outcome presented by patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is renal failure, which is related to increased severity of infection and a greater risk of mortality. Severity is often represented by the need for respiratory and/or life support, which can range from oxygen therapy to invasive mechanical ventilation. This study aimed to determine the association between the degree of renal and inflammatory impairment in patients with the need for advanced respiratory support and mortality. Included in the present study were 79 critically ill patients with COVID-19 on different days, who required a nasal cannula and/or orotracheal intubation. Data from laboratory tests, arterial blood gases and information on their clinical evolution were collected. The results obtained showed that the biochemical markers of renal function, as well as the inflammatory markers and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, were significantly increased in patients who succumbed to the infection. Similarly, these markers were higher amongst patients who required increased respiratory assistance.

O conhecimento e uso de métodos anticoncepcionais por mulheres nordestinas / Knowledge and use of contraceptives methods by brazilian northeastern women

Objetivou-se apreender o conhecimento e o uso de métodos anticoncepcionais entre mulheres em idade fértil. Realizou-se estudo transversal e descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, incluindo 189 mulheres de 18 a 49 anos de nove Estratégias de Saúde da Família da zona urbana do município de Pau dos Ferros, Rio Grande do Norte. Adotou-se a entrevista em domicílio e realizou-se análise descritiva e univariada dos dados. Observou-se conhecimento limitado sobre a variedade de métodos anticoncepcionais existentes e disponíveis na Atenção Básica e os respectivos efeitos colaterais, a elevada prevalência de gravidez precoce, o processo decisório do método anticoncepcional centrado na mulher, a fragilidade na orientação fornecida pela Política de Planejamento Familiar e a polarização do uso dos anticoncepcionais hormonais orais, do preservativo, dos injetáveis e da laqueadura. Portanto, faz-se importante a efetivação de uma assistência prestada no Planejamento Familiar que disponibilize recursos e informações de maneira eficiente, de maneira que se invista na realização de ações educativas efetivas para todos os públicos, que valorize e garanta a escolha do anticoncepcional atentando para a variedade disponível e os critérios de elegibilidade estipulados pela Organização Mundial de Saúde e no estímulo à partilha do processo decisório entre o profissional de saúde e o casal.

The objective was to perceivethe knowledge and the use of contraceptive methods among women of childbearing age. A cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out, with a quantitative approach, including 189 women aged 18 to 49 years-old from nine Family Health Strategies in the urban area of the municipality of Pau dos Ferros, Rio Grande do Norte. The interview was conducted at home and a descriptive and univariate analysis of the data was performed. There was a limited knowledge about the variety of contraceptive methods existent and available in Primary Care and the respective side effects, the high prevalence of early pregnancy, the decision process of the contraceptive method centered on women, the fragility in the guidance provided by the Family Planning Policy and the polarization of the use of oral hormonal contraceptives, condoms, injectables and sterilization. Therefore, it is important to carry out assistance provided in Family Planning that makes resources and information available in an efficient way, in order to invest in effective educational actions for all audiences that values and guarantees the choice of contraceptives, paying attention to the variety available and the eligibility criteria stipulated by the World Health Organization and in encouraging the sharing of the decision-making process between the health professional and the couple.

Strength training improves body composition, muscle strength and increases CD4+ T lymphocyte levels in people living with HIV/AIDS.

The establishment of physical training programs for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has several benefits. The study aimed to analyze the effect of resistance training using prediction of intensity by subjective perception of effort (SPE) on body composition, muscle strength, and TCD4+ lymphocyte levels in PLWHA. This a randomized controlled trial study. Participants (11 men and 8 women), were divided in two groups: exercise group (EG) and control group (CG). The EG was submitted to 12 weeks of a resistance-training program based in the prediction of intensity by SPE. Body mass percentages were evaluated using tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance and skinfold methods. We used Flow Cytometry to quantify CD4+ T lymphocytes. Patients showed significant changes in Body Fat Percentage (Δ%=-6.23%), Lean Body Mass (Δ%=2.45%), and CD4T lymphocytes levels (Δ%=15.77%). They also showed significant increase in muscular strength presented in the test for one repetition maximum in all the evaluated exercises. Our data suggest that exercising program prescribed by SPE is capable of improving immune function, body composition, and muscular strength in PLWHA.

Health profile of freedom-deprived men in the prison system.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the needs and health profile of men incarcerated in the Pau dos Ferros Regional Criminal Complex (Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil). METHODOLOGY: Quanti-qualitative research conducted with 30 men incarcerated in November 2012. Semi-structured interviews were the primary data collection method. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of the speeches were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The participants' health profile, resulting from deficits in living conditions prior to their imprisonment, is heightened by the degrading conditions of their prison stay, and plays a role in their exclusion and lack of care when admitted as prisoners. The disorders and symptoms most often self-reported by participants were: headache (86.6%), respiratory infections (66.6%), diarrhea (60.0%), stress (60.0%), and depression or deep sadness (56.6%). The responses showed that there is a social gap, especially related to health care, in the prison complex. CONCLUSION: We recognize a need to ensure the physical and moral integrity of inmates, which is compromised by life in prison; the inmates' health problems and needs differ from those of the general population, and require solutions; the inmates' health-disease process deteriorates due to the mere situation of entering the prison system; the inmates' health problems and health needs are treated with palliative and / or no assistance by those legally responsible for their protection; few human and financial resources exist to ensure health actions for the inmates; and there are no interventions or actions of disease prevention and health promotion.