The impact of stressors and overload on informal caregivers of patients with cirrhosis: The first use of the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Cirrhosis affects liver functions and compromises much of the body's organs. The significant increase in chronic diseases, including cirrhosis, has led to changes in medical practice and health systems, leading the informal caregiver to play a major role because of family ties or some level of proximity to the patient, assuming daily care function. However, the burden generated by informal caregivers for uninterrupted care is present at different levels (physical, mental, social, professional, and financial) and even in the prognosis of the patient. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to evaluate the impact of stressors and overload on informal caregivers of cirrhosis patients. METHOD: Cross-sectional study, conducted with 54 informal caregivers of cirrhosis patients, followed up at the Liver Transplant Service Outpatient Clinic of the University of São Paulo School of Medicine Hospital das Clínicas, where they had access to a sociodemographic questionnaire, history of the patient's disease and the scale Burden Scale for Family Caregivers. RESULTS: It was observed that higher levels of education and income of the caregiver correlates with a lower degree of stress. In addition, there is a significant difference found in the caregiver's age variable, which indicates that the youngest are those who have the highest degree of stress. The variable Na mEg/l of the patient also presents a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Our study was a precursor using the BSFC scale of worldwide coverage and that had not yet been applied in any study in Brazil, thus allowing a look at the various aspects that affect the quality of life of caregivers of patients with cirrhosis. Our results and the literature corroborate the importance not only of the patient, but also the informal caregiver's health.

Survival curve identifes critical period for postoperative mortality in cardiac patients undergoing emergency general surgery

The number of non-cardiac major surgeries carried out has signifcantly increased in recent years to around 200 million procedures carried out annually. Approximately 30% of patients submitted to non-cardiac surgery present some form of cardiovascular comorbidity. In emergency situations, with less surgery planning time and greater clinical severity, the risks become even more signifcant. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease submitted to non-cardiac surgical procedures in a single cardiovascular referral center. This is a prospective cohort study of patients with cardiovascular disease submitted to non-cardiovascular surgery. All procedures were carried out by the same surgeon, between January 2006 and January 2018. 240 patients included were elderly, 154 were male (64%), 8 patients presented two diagnoses. Of the resulting 248 procedures carried out, 230 were emergency (92.8%). From the data obtained it was possible to estimate the day from which the occurrence of mortality is less probable in the postoperative phase. Our research evaluated the epidemiological profle of the surgeries and we were able to estimate the survival and delimit the period of greatest risk of mortality in these patients. The high rate of acute mesenteric ischemia was notable, a serious and frequently fatal condition.

Large primary hepatic gastrinoma in young patient treated with trisegmentectomy: A case report and review of the literature.

Primary hepatic gastrinoma is a rare disease, with fewer than 40 cases reported in the medical literature. Because it is located in an organ in which metastases are common, its diagnosis is difficult. We report a case of a 19 years old male patient with a history of gastric ulcers since the age of nine. Following gastric surgery, an antrectomy and a vagotomy, there was some alleviation of symptoms. Subsequently, the patient reported various intermittent episodes of diarrhea, diffuse abdominal pain, and vomiting. The patient underwent tomography, which revealed the presence of a hepatic mass measuring 19.5 cm × 12.5 cm × 17 cm. Primary hepatic gastrinoma was diagnosed based on laboratory examinations that indicated hypergastrinemia and a positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance study with somatostatin analogue that confirmed the liver as the primary site. After hepatic trisegmentectomy (II, III, IV, V, VIII), the patient's symptoms improved. The case is notable for the presence of a rare tumor with uncommon dimensions.