Characteristics of women diagnosed with mpox infection compared to men: A case series from Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Cisgender men were mostly affected during the 2022 mpox multinational outbreak, with few cases reported in women. This study compares the characteristics of individuals diagnosed with mpox infection according to gender in Rio de Janeiro. METHODS: We obtained surveillance data of mpox cases notified to Rio de Janeiro State Health Department (June 12 to December 15, 2022). We compared women (cisgender or transgender) to men (cisgender or transgender) using chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and Mood's median tests. RESULTS: A total of 1306 mpox cases were reported; 1188 (91.0%) men (99.8% cisgender, 0.2% transgender), 108 (8.3%) women (87.0% cisgender, 13.0% transgender), and 10 (0.8%) non-binary persons. Compared to men, women were more frequently older (40+years: 34.3% vs. 25.1%; p < 0.001), reported more frequent non-sexual contact with a potential mpox case (21.4% vs. 9.8%; p = 0.004), fewer sexual partnerships (10.9 vs. 54.8%; p < 0.001), less sexual contact with a potential mpox case (18.5% vs. 43.0%; p < 0.001), fewer genital lesions (31.8% vs. 57.9%; p < 0.001), fewer systemic mpox signs/symptoms (38.0% vs. 50.1%; p = 0.015) and had a lower HIV prevalence (8.3% vs. 46.3%; p < 0.001), with all cases among transgender women. Eight women were hospitalized; no deaths occurred. The highest number of cases among women were notified in epidemiological week 34, when the number of cases among men started to decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Women diagnosed with mpox presented differences in epidemiological, behavioral, and clinical characteristics compared to men. Health services should provide a comprehensive assessment that accounts for gender diversity.

Imaging subclinical coronary atherosclerosis to guide lipid management, are we there yet?

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk (ASCVD) is an ongoing epidemic, and lipid abnormalities are its primordial cause. Most individuals suffering a first ASCVD event are previously asymptomatic and often do not receive preventative therapies. The cornerstone of primary prevention has been the identification of individuals at risk through risk calculators based on clinical and laboratory traditional risk factors plus risk enhancers. However, it is well accepted that a clinical risk calculator misclassifies a significant proportion of individuals leading to the prescription of a lipid-lowering medication with very little yield or a missed opportunity for lipid-lowering agents with a potentially preventable event. The development of coronary artery calcium scoring (CAC) and CT coronary angiography (CCTA) provide complementary tools to directly visualize coronary plaque and other risk-modifying imaging components that can potentially provide individualized lipid management. Understanding patient selection for CAC or potentially CCTA and the risk implications of the different parameters provided, such as CAC score, coronary stenosis, plaque characteristics and burden, epicardial adipose tissue, and pericoronary adipose tissue, have grown more complex as technologies evolve. These parameters directly affect the shared decision with patients to start or withhold lipid-lowering therapies, to adjust statin intensity or LDL cholesterol goals. Emerging lipid lowering studies with non-invasive imaging as a guide to patient selection and treatment efficacy, plus the evolution of lipid lowering therapies from statins to a diverse armament of newer high-cost agents have pushed these two fields forward with a complex interaction. This review will discuss existing risk estimators, and non-invasive imaging techniques for subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, traditionally studied using CAC and more recently CCTA with qualitative and quantitative measurements. We will also explore the current data, gaps of knowledge and future directions on the use of these techniques in the risk-stratification and guidance of lipid management.

Myocardial Injury in Patients With Acute and Subacute Chagas Disease in the Brazilian Amazon Using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

Background Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease that is still considered a global health emergency. In the Amazon region, most of the reports are of acute cases that are associated with oral transmission. This study aimed to evaluate myocardial injury in patients with acute Chagas disease before and after treatment. Methods and Results We evaluated 23 patients with acute Chagas disease in 3 different stages of progression. Group 1 had 12 patients evaluated during the acute phase, at the time of diagnosis, and 1 year after treatment, and Group 2 had 11 patients in the late postacute phase who were evaluated 5.2 years on average after diagnosis and treatment. ECGs with the Selvester score, 24-hour Holter exam, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging were performed. The mean age of the 23 patients was 44.3±18.9 years, and they were mostly men (15/65.24%) from Amazonas state (22/95.6%). In 69.6% (n=16) of the patients, some ECG alterations were found, the most frequent being left anterior fascicular block and ventricular repolarization. In Group 1, the 24-hour Holter exam showed atrial tachycardia in 3 (25%) patients and ventricular extrasystoles in 2 (16.7%) patients. In Group 2, 1 patient had ventricular extrasystoles. Myocardial injury was observed in 7 patients (58.3%) at the acute phase and in 5 (50%) patients at the 1-year follow-up in Group 1 and in 2 (18.2%) patients in Group 2. Conclusions This article describes, for the first time, myocardial injury shown by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in a group of patients with acute Chagas disease and reveals the importance of early detection and follow-up of the cardiac impairment in these patients.

Psicologia, saúde sexual e saúde reprodutiva: urgências para a formação profissional / Psychology, sexual and reproductive health: urgent topics for vocational training / Psicología, salud sexual y salud reproductiva: necesidades para la formación profesional

A psicologia tem se consolidado, entre outras áreas de atuação, como profissão de saúde. A despeito de reconhecer-se como tal na atenção terciária e na saúde mental, carece pensar como temos construído nossas práticas em outros setores, aqui em destaque a saúde sexual e a saúde reprodutiva. A previsão de que profissionais da psicologia devem compor equipes mínimas de diversas políticas públicas de saúde sexual e saúde reprodutiva não se faz perceber diante de lacunas significativas nos currículos disciplinares e nas produções acadêmicas da área. A proposta deste texto é apresentar algumas reflexões produzidas a partir de cenas que acompanhei ao longo dos anos que me dedico a essas questões, desde a graduação até a docência. Compõem as análises situações registradas no desenvolvimento de projetos de extensão e de pesquisa, supervisão de estágio em processos psicossociais, grupos de estudos e da disciplina Psicologia, Saúde Sexual e Saúde Reprodutiva. Pretende-se, a partir dessas cenas, analisar os desafios para consolidar uma práxis psicológica alinhada à defesa dos direitos sexuais e reprodutivos, bem como o desvelar de modos de escuta que destoam do que a priori deveria ser nosso objetivo central: promoção de cuidado e escuta qualificada. Por fim, proponho alguns parâmetros de organização das nossas ações, desejosa de uma construção que seja cada vez mais partilhada por nossa categoria, orientada pelos direitos humanos e comprometida com a promoção da saúde e da autonomia das usuárias dos serviços de saúde sexual e reprodutiva no Brasil.(AU)

Psychology has been consolidated, among other areas of practice, as a health profession. Regardless of its recognition as such in tertiary care and mental health, we must reflect on how phycologists have built their practices in other sectors, especially regarding sexual and reproductive health. The expectation that psychologists should compose minimum teams of different public policies on sexual and reproductive health, goes unnoticed before the significant gaps in academic programs and production in the field. Given this context, this paper presents some reflections produced from scenes observed over the years that I have been dedicating myself to these issues, from graduation to teaching. The analyzes include situations recorded during extension and research projects, internship supervision in psychosocial processes, study groups and in the Psychology, Sexual Health and Reproductive Health course. Based on these scenes, I analyze the challenges to consolidate a psychological praxis aligned to the defense of sexual and reproductive rights, and unveil ways of listening that deviate from what a priori should be our central objective: promotion of care and qualified listening. Finally, I propose some parameters to organize our actions, hoping for a construction that is increasingly shared by our category, guided by human rights and committed to promoting the health and autonomy of users of sexual and reproductive health services in Brazil.(AU)

La psicología se ha consolidado, entre otras áreas de actividad, como una profesión sanitaria. A pesar de ser reconocida como tal en el tercer nivel de atención y salud mental, es necesario pensar cómo hemos construido nuestras prácticas en otros sectores, con énfasis en la salud sexual y salud reproductiva. La estimación de que los profesionales de la psicología deban conformar equipos mínimos de las diversas políticas públicas en salud sexual y reproductiva no lleva en consideración que hay importantes vacíos en los currículos disciplinares y la producción académica en el área. El propósito de este texto es presentar algunas reflexiones a partir de escenarios que he seguido a lo largo de los años en que me he dedicado a estos temas desde la graduación hasta la docencia. Los análisis abarcan situaciones registradas en el desarrollo de proyectos de extensión e investigación, supervisión de pasantías en procesos psicosociales, grupos de estudio y de la disciplina Psicología, Salud Sexual y Salud Reproductiva. A partir de estos escenarios se pretende analizar los desafíos para la consolidación de una praxis psicológica alineada con la defensa de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos, así como el develamiento de formas de escucha que se alejan de lo que a priori debería ser nuestro objetivo central: la promoción del cuidado y la escucha cualificada. Por último, propongo algunos requisitos para la organización de nuestras acciones, con el fin de que haya una construcción cada vez más compartida en nuestro sector, basada en los derechos humanos y comprometida en la promoción de la salud y la autonomía de las usuarias de los servicios de salud mental y reproductiva en Brasil.(AU)

The Selvester QRS score as an estimative of myocardial injury in acute chagasic patients from the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: In the Brazilian Amazon, a new epidemiological profile of Chagas disease transmission, the oral route, has been detected and cited as being responsible for the increase in acute cases in Brazil. The clinical evaluation of acute Chagas disease (ACD) has been a challenge since it can progress to a chronic phase with cardiac alterations, and the follow-up by modern diagnostic methods is very difficult due to the socio-geographical characteristics of the Brazilian Amazon. Thus, alternatives should be sought to alleviate this problem. We conducted a study to evaluate subjects with ACD using the 12-lead ECG QRS score (Selvester score) as an estimative of myocardial injury progression before and after ACD treatment. METHODS: The study included indigenous subjects from the Amazon region with ACD in clinical follow-up at the Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado (FMT-HVD) Chagas Disease outpatient clinic in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. The control group consisted of 31 healthy volunteers with no history of heart disease and no reactive serology for Chagas disease. Baseline ECG was performed in all subjects. The Selvester scoring method was performed according to the standardized guide (< 3 points: no myocardial injury,> 3: points × 3% = % of the predicted LV infarction). RESULTS: A total of 62 subjects were included, 31 as cases and 31 as controls. The mean follow-up of the case group was 17 months. The control group presented normal ECG. The case group presented 13 alterations before treatment and 11 after. Nineteen individuals presented scores > 3 points, 6 before and 13 after. In 19.36% of subjects, myocardial injury was found before treatment and in 41.94% after treatment. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that uses the Selvester score (SS) to predict myocardial injury in subjects with ACD. The results of this study suggest the significant presence of myocardial injury from the beginning of treatment to the period post treatment of ACD, which demonstrates that the SS can be applied for stratification and follow-up of Chagas disease in the Amazon region.

Indiciamento das mulheres pela prática do abortamento: a (des)continuidade do discurso punitivista / Indictment of women for the practice of abortion: the (dis) continuity of the punitive discourse / Incriminación de mujeres por la práctica del aborto: la (dis)continuidad del discurso punitivo

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar os argumentos empregados na condenação ou absolvição das mulheres acusadas de abortamento, especialmente os processos que foram suspensos. Analisamos sentenças e acórdãos referentes ao autoaborto (art. 124 do Código Penal) dos Tribunais de Justiça dos estados de São Paulo e de Minas Gerais. Como resultado do levantamento, constatamos a reiterada concessão da suspensão condicional do processo ou da pena, o que poderia ser considerado medida despenalizadora, por acarretar a extinção da punibilidade. No entanto, ante a aceitação e devido cumprimento das condições impostas pelo prazo fixado, o conteúdo das decisões de suspensão (de processo e de pena) explicita o caráter moral das sentenças, bem como a discriminação de gênero e a violência institucional. Assim, discute-se os fins da criminalização do abortamento e as consequências para o exercício pleno dos direitos sexuais e reprodutivos das mulheres.

Abstract This article's objective was to analyse the arguments used for the conviction or acquittal of women accused of abortion, especially in processes that were suspended. We analysed judicial decisions from the Justice Courts of São Paulo and Minas Gerais States. As a result of the analysis of these materials, we note the repeated granting of conditional suspension of the process or penalty, which could be considered a decriminalizing measure. However, as it entails the extinction of punishment, once accepted and respected the conditions imposed by a fixed term, the content of the concessive decisions exhibit the explicit moral judgement of the convictions, as well as gender discrimination and institutional violence. Thus, we discuss the overall aim of the criminalisation of abortion and the consequences for the full exercise of women's sexual and reproductive rights.

Resumen El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar los argumentos utilizados en la condena o absolución de mujeres acusadas de aborto, especialmente los procesos que fueron suspendidos. Analizamos sentencias relacionadas con el aborto autoproducido (art. 124 del Código Penal brasileño) de los Tribunales de Justicia de los estados de São Paulo y Minas Gerais. Como resultado de la investigación, se observa el reiterado otorgamiento de suspensión condicional del proceso o sanción, lo que podría ser considerado una medida despenalizadora, ya que resulta en la extinción de la pena. Sin embargo, ante la aceptación y debido cumplimiento de las condiciones impuestas por el plazo fijado, el contenido de las decisiones de suspensión (de proceso y sentencia) hace explícito el carácter moral de las sentencias, así como la discriminación de género y la violencia institucional. Así, se discute el propósito de criminalizar el aborto y las consecuencias para el pleno ejercicio de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos de las mujeres.

Uma pandemia viral em contexto de racismo estrutural: desvelando a generificação do genocídio negro / A viral pandemic in the context of structural racism: unveiling black genocide / Unapandemia viral en el contexto del racismo estructural: develando la generificación del genocidio de la población negra

Resumo Para compreender o mundo contemporâneo é imprescindível voltar o olhar para a colonização das Américas e a escravização dos povos indígenas e negros, pois esses processos históricos e políticos construíram as estruturas das sociedades modernas. A partir da colonização produziu-se a racialização dos corpos, que estabeleceu uma hierarquia de vida e de morte. Logo, o racismo torna-se a base do direito de matar. O negro é fabricado como insígnia da morte, sendo desumanizado e submetido à violência racial-colonial e também à de gênero. Este ensaio se propõe a tecer reflexões sobre o modo como o racismo modula, e também é modulado, no contexto pandêmico da Covid-19, além de salientar um contínuo histórico de violências raciais que reencenam o passado colonial. Para isso, tomaremos como cerne do debate as experiências das mulheres negras, haja vista que suas posicionalidades nas estruturas de poder permitem observar e analisar as realidades sociais numa perspectiva contra-hegemônica e insurgente. Dispor as experiências das mulheres negras enquanto lócus privilegiado de produção de conhecimento sobre a realidade nacional brasileira alicerça o entendimento das consequências do racismo no tecido social, assim como visibiliza resistências históricas ao Estado genocida.

Abstract Looking back towards the colonization of the Americas and the enslavement of indigenous and black peoples is essential to understand the contemporary world, as these historical and political processes built the structures of modern societies. The colonization produced racialized bodies, establishing a life/death hierarchy. Thus, racism becomes the foundation of the right to kill. The black is manufactured as a death insignia, dehumanized and subjected to racial-colonial violence, as well as of gender. This essay aims to reflect how racism modulates and is modulated in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, besides highlighting a historical continuum of racial violence that reenact the colonial past. To this end, black women's experiences comprise the core of the debate, as their role within the power structures allow us to observe and analyze social realities from a counter-hegemonic and insurgent perspective. By arranging black women's experiences as a privileged locus of knowledge production on the Brazilian reality, we may understand the consequences of racism based on the social fabric and expose historical resistance to the genocidal state.

Resumen Para entender el mundo contemporáneo es fundamental mirar la colonización de América y la esclavitud de los pueblos indígenas y de los negros, ya que estos procesos históricos y políticos han construido las estructuras de las sociedades modernas. La colonización conllevó la producción de una racialización de los cuerpos que estableció una jerarquía de vida y muerte. Por tanto, el racismo se convirtió en la base del derecho a matar. El negro se fabrica como insignia de la muerte, y es deshumanizado y sometido a violencia racial-colonial y de género. Este ensayo tiene como objetivo reflexionar sobre la forma en que el racismo modula, y también se modula, en el contexto pandémico de Covid-19, además de resaltar una historia continua de violencia racial que recrea el pasado colonial. Para ello, tomaremos las vivencias de las mujeres negras como eje del debate, dado que sus posiciones en las estructuras de poder nos permiten observar y analizar las realidades sociales desde una perspectiva contrahegemónica e insurgente. Disponer de las vivencias de las mujeres negras como un lugar privilegiado de producción de conocimiento sobre la realidad nacional brasileña sustenta la comprensión de las consecuencias del racismo en el tejido social, además de mostrar la resistencia histórica al Estado genocida.

Violências e instituição maternidade: uma reflexão feminista decolonial / Violence and the institution of motherhood: a decolonial feminist reflection / Violencias y la institución maternidad: una reflexión feminista decolonial

A sociedade brasileira possui um histórico marcado por violências e autoritarismos. A história colonial que funda a ideia de Brasil se consolida com a noção de identidade nacional baseada em aspectos racistas, sexistas e heteronormativos. Essas violências têm sido denunciadas e visibilizadas a partir de um olhar focado na dimensão pública e macroestrutural da sociedade e as microviolências ou a dimensão da vida privada nem sempre são compreendidas como fundamentais para a reprodução dessas violências. A ideia cunhada pelas feministas dos anos 1970 de que o pessoal é político busca romper com essa divisão e reconhece que a vida privada e os aspectos que historicamente foram associados a ela, são locus fundamental para compreender como as distintas violências e sistemas de poder se entrecruzam e produzem experiências que exigem dos analistas sociais, dos atores das políticas públicas e dos sujeitos um olhar crítico fundamentado e interseccional. A proposta deste ensaio é problematizar a instituição da maternidade como um aparato patriarcal, colonial, capitalista e racista de controle e reclusão das mulheres a partir de duas construções religiosas sobre a maternidade: a primeira versão da oração Ave Maria e um itan da tradição oral iorubá sobre Oxum, orixá da fecundidade e protetora das mulheres grávidas...(AU)

Brazilian society has a history marked by violence and authoritarianism. The colonial history that founds the idea of Brazil is consolidated with the notion of national identity based on racist, sexist and heteronormative aspects. These expressions of violence have been denounced and viewed from a perspective focused on the public and macro-structural dimension of society, and the expressions of micro-violence or the dimension of private life are not always understood as fundamental for the reproduction of these expressions of violence. The 1970s feminist idea that "the personal sphere" is political, seeks to break away from this division and recognizes that private life and the aspects that have historically been associated with it are a central locus for understanding how distinct violence and power systems intersect and produce experiences that require a critical and intersectional critical look from social analysts, public policy actors, and individuals. The proposal of this essay is to problematize the institution of motherhood as a patriarchal, colonial, capitalist and racist apparatus of control and reclusion of women from two religious constructions on motherhood: the first version of the Hail Mary prayer and an itan of the Yoruba oral tradition on Oxum, orixá of the fecundity and protector of the pregnant women...(AU)

La sociedad brasileña tiene una historia marcada por la violencia y el autoritarismo. La historia colonial que subyace a la idea de Brasil se consolida con la noción de identidad nacional basada en aspectos racistas, sexistas y heteronormativos. Esta violencia se ha denunciado y se ha hecho visible a través de un enfoque en la dimensión pública y macro estructural de la sociedad, y la micro violencia o la dimensión de la vida privada no siempre se entienden como fundamentales para la reproducción de esta violencia. La idea acuñada por las feministas de la década de 1970 de que lo personal es político busca romper esta brecha y reconoce que la vida privada y los aspectos que históricamente se han asociado con ella son un lugar fundamental para comprender cómo se cruzan los distintos sistemas de violencia y poder y producen experiencias que requieren que los analistas sociales, los actores de políticas públicas y los sujetos tengan un ojo crítico fundamentado e interseccional. El propósito de este ensayo es problematizar la institución de la maternidad como un aparato de control y aislamiento patriarcal, colonial, capitalista y racista de las mujeres desde dos construcciones religiosas sobre la maternidad: la primera versión de la oración Ave María y un itan de la tradición oral yoruba. sobre Oxum, orixá de fertilidad y protectora de las mujeres embarazadas...(AU)

Cardiac Evaluation in the Acute Phase of Chagas' Disease with Post-Treatment Evolution in Patients Attended in the State of Amazonas, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: In the past two decades, a new epidemiological profile of Chagas' disease (CD) has been registered in the Brazilian Amazon where oral transmission has been indicated as responsible for the increase of acute cases. In the Amazonas state, five outbreaks of acute CD have been registered since 2004. The cardiac manifestations in these cases may be characterized by diffuse myocarditis, with alteration in the electrocardiogram (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). OBJECTIVE: To perform a cardiac evaluation in autochthonous patients in the acute phase and at least one year after submitted to treatment for acute CD and evaluate the demographic variables associated with the presence of cardiac alterations. METHODS: We evaluated patients diagnosed with acute CD through direct parasitological or serological (IgM) methods from 2007 to 2015. These patients were treated with benznidazole and underwent ECG and TTE before and after treatment. We assumed a confidence interval of 95% (CI 95%, p < 0.05) for all variables analyzed. RESULTS: We observed 63 cases of an acute CD in which oral transmission corresponded to 75%. Cardiac alterations were found in 33% of the cases, with a greater frequency of ventricular repolarization alteration (13%), followed by pericardial effusion (10%) and right bundle branch block and left anterior fascicular block (2%). The follow-up occurred in 48 patients with ECG and 25 with TTE for a mean period of 15.5 ± 4.1 months after treatment. Of these, 8% presented normalization of the cardiac alterations in ECG, 62.5% remained with the normal exams. All of the patients presented normal results in TTE in the post-treatment period. As for the demographic variables, isolated cases presented more cardiac alterations than outbreaks (p = 0.044) as well as cases from Central Amazonas mesoregion (p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: Although cardiac alterations have not been frequent in most of the studied population, a continuous evaluation of the clinical-epidemiological dynamics of the disease in the region is necessary in order to establish preventive measures.

Cardiac Evaluation in the Acute Phase of Chagas' Disease with Post-Treatment Evolution in Patients Attended in the State of Amazonas, Brazil / Avaliação Cardíaca na Fase Aguda da Doença de Chagas com Evolução Pós-Tratamento em Pacientes Atendidos no Estado do Amazonas, Brasil

Abstract Background: In the past two decades, a new epidemiological profile of Chagas' disease (CD) has been registered in the Brazilian Amazon where oral transmission has been indicated as responsible for the increase of acute cases. In the Amazonas state, five outbreaks of acute CD have been registered since 2004. The cardiac manifestations in these cases may be characterized by diffuse myocarditis, with alteration in the electrocardiogram (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). Objective: To perform a cardiac evaluation in autochthonous patients in the acute phase and at least one year after submitted to treatment for acute CD and evaluate the demographic variables associated with the presence of cardiac alterations. Methods: We evaluated patients diagnosed with acute CD through direct parasitological or serological (IgM) methods from 2007 to 2015. These patients were treated with benznidazole and underwent ECG and TTE before and after treatment. We assumed a confidence interval of 95% (CI 95%, p < 0.05) for all variables analyzed. Results: We observed 63 cases of an acute CD in which oral transmission corresponded to 75%. Cardiac alterations were found in 33% of the cases, with a greater frequency of ventricular repolarization alteration (13%), followed by pericardial effusion (10%) and right bundle branch block and left anterior fascicular block (2%). The follow-up occurred in 48 patients with ECG and 25 with TTE for a mean period of 15.5 ± 4.1 months after treatment. Of these, 8% presented normalization of the cardiac alterations in ECG, 62.5% remained with the normal exams. All of the patients presented normal results in TTE in the post-treatment period. As for the demographic variables, isolated cases presented more cardiac alterations than outbreaks (p = 0.044) as well as cases from Central Amazonas mesoregion (p = 0.020). Conclusions: Although cardiac alterations have not been frequent in most of the studied population, a continuous evaluation of the clinical-epidemiological dynamics of the disease in the region is necessary in order to establish preventive measures.

Resumo Fundamento: Nas últimas duas décadas, um novo perfil epidemiológico da Doença de Chagas (DC) foi registrado na Amazônia brasileira, onde a transmissão oral foi indicada como responsável pelo aumento dos casos agudos. No estado do Amazonas, foram registrados cinco surtos da doença desde 2004. As manifestações cardíacas nesses casos podem ser caracterizadas por miocardite difusa, com alteração nos resultados eletrocardiograma (ECG) e ecocardiografia transtorácica (ETT). Objetivo: avaliar parâmetros cardíacos em pacientes autóctones com DC na fase aguda e em um ano ou mais após tratamento, e avaliar as variáveis demográficas associadas com a presença de alterações cardíacas. Métodos: Avaliamos os pacientes diagnosticados com DC aguda por método direto parasitológico e exame sorológico (IgM) entre 2007 e 2015. Os pacientes foram tratados com benzonidazol e submetidos à ECG e ETT antes e após tratamento. Assumimos um intervalo de confiança de 95% (p < 0,05) para todas as variáveis analisadas. Resultados: Observamos 63 casos de DC aguda em que a transmissão oral ocorreu em 75% dos casos. Alterações cardíacas foram encontradas em 33% dos casos, com maior frequência de repolarização ventricular (13%), seguida de derrame pericárdico (10%), e bloqueio do ramo direito e bloqueio fascicular anterior esquerdo (2%). O acompanhamento foi realizado com 48 pacientes com ECG e 25 com ETT por um período médio de 15,5±4,1 meses após o tratamento. Desses pacientes, observou-se normalização das alterações eletrocardiográficas em 8% dos pacientes, e 62,5% continuaram com os parâmetros normais. Todos os pacientes apresentaram resultados da ETT normais no período pós-tratamento. Quanto às variáveis demográficas, os casos isolados apresentaram mais alterações cardíacas em comparação aos casos de surtos (p=0,044) e os casos identificados na mesorregião do Amazonas Central (p = 0,020). Conclusões: Apesar de as alterações cardíacas não terem sido frequentes na maioria da população do estudo, é necessária uma avaliação contínua da dinâmica clínica-epidemiológica da doença na região para se estabelecer medidas preventivas.

Alterações ao Doppler tecidual em pacientes com a forma aguda da doença de chagas / Alterations to tissue Doppler in patients with acute form of chagas disease

Fundamento: Recentemente tem ocorrido aumento do número de casos agudos de doença de Chagas, principalmente causados por transmissão oral. A maioria dos pacientes mostra boa evolução, apresentando sintomatologia compatívelcom processo infeccioso sistêmico, porém sem alterações cardíacas significativas ao exame físico, eletrocardiograma eecocardiograma transtorácico.Objetivo: Avaliar alterações ecocardiográficas com análise do Doppler tecidual em pacientes com doença de Chagas aguda. Métodos: Foram avaliados pacientes com diagnóstico de doença de Chagas aguda confirmada por exame parasitológico direto. Esses pacientes foram submetidos a exame físico, eletrocardiograma e ecocardiograma transtorácico, sendocomparados com um grupo controle.Resultados: Foram avaliados 12 casos com doença de Chagas aguda e 15 indivíduos no grupo controle. As variáveis que apresentaram diferenças significativas foram: ondas S’ lateral de VE (DCA = 0,09 ± 0,02 m/seg; GC = 0,11 ± 0,02 m/seg; p = 0,024); E’ lateral (DCA = 0,13 ± 0,03 m/seg; GC = 0,18 ± 0,03 m/seg; p = 0,001); E’ septal do VE (DCA = 0,10± 0,03 m/seg; GC = 0,14 ± 0,03 m/seg; p = 0,008), A’ lateral do VE (DCA = 0,08 ± 0,03 m/seg; GC = 0,12 ± 0,01 m/seg;p = 0,003), onda S’ do VD (DCA = 0,12 ± 0,02 m/seg; GC = 0,17 ± 0,02 m/seg; p < 0,001) e TAPSE (DCA = 1,95 ±0,41 cm; GC = 2,37 ± 0,25 cm; p = 0,006). Conclusões: Em pacientes com doença de Chagas aguda, mesmo quando apresentam evolução benigna, podem ocorrer alterações subclínicas detectadas principalmente ao Doppler tecidual. Essas alterações podem ser importantes na avaliação do tratamento da fase aguda e na sua evolução a longo prazo.

Background: Recently there has been an increased number of cases of acute Chagas disease primarily caused by oral transmission. Most patients have a good outcome, presenting symptoms consistent with systemic infectious process, but no significant cardiac abnormalities on physical examination, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram.Objective: To evaluate echocardiographic changes with tissue Doppler analysis in patients with acute Chagas disease.Methods: We evaluated patients with acute Chagas disease confirmed by cytological examination. These patients underwent a physical examination, eletrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiography, and compared with a control group. Results: We evaluated 12 patients with acute Chagas disease and 15 subjects in the control group. Variables that showed significant diferences were waves S ‘side of LV (DCA = 0.09 ± 0.02m/sec; CG = 0.11 ± 0.02 m/sec; p = 0.024); and ‘side (DCA = 0.13 ± 0.03 m/sec; CG = 0.18 ±0.03 m/sec; p = 0.001); Septal E ‘LV (DCA = 0.10 ± 0.03 m/sec; CG = 0.14 ± 0.03 m/sec; p = 0.008), A’ lateral LV (DCA = 0.08 ± 0.03 m/sec;CG = 0 12 ± 0.01 m/sec; p = 0,003), S wave ‘RV (DCA = 0.12 ± 0.02 m/sec; CG = 0.17 ± 0.02 m/sec; p < 0.001) and TAPSE (DCA = 1,95cm ± 0.41; CG = 2.37 ± 0.25 cm; p = 0.006). Conclusions: In patients with acute Chagas disease, even when present benign, there may be subclinical alterations detected primarilyby tissue Doppler. These changes may be important in the treatment of acute and its long-term evolution.

[Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prescription in General Practice in the centre of Portugal from 2007 to 2009]. / Prescrição de anti-inflamatórios não esteróides em medicina geral e familiar no centro de Portugal entre 2007 e 2009.

BACKGROUND: Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs computer-assisted prescription in General Practice/Family Medicine (GP/FM) ambience can give information about the prescription profile during a period of time and understand its trend. Such prescription profile could vary according to the urban (city) vs non urban (village) setting of the GP/FM practice. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the prescription trends of non steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in General Practice, from 2007 to 2009, by public sales price per inscript, daily defined doses (DDD) per inscript and price of DDD. To verify differences of the three fractions according to the urban vs non urban health centre. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study conducted in February 2010, by the analysis of prescription informatic files automatically generated when the prescription was made. Population calculated at the middle point of each period of study. The differences in volume prescription in Daily Defined Dose (DDD) per registered patient in the middle of 2006 and 2007 two semesters, as well as the value of prescription measured by the price per registered patient were calculated and medicines were studied by the third level of the Portuguese medicines classification very similar to the ATC. The price per DDD was calculated as well. RESULTS: The studied population was of 315.377 subjects in 2007, 321.784 in 2008 and 331.106 in 2009. In price per inscript urban health centres showed a growth from 2007 to 2009 in "Indol and Inden" derivatives (+51.6%), in "Propionic acid derivatives" (+39.4%) and in "Selective cox-2 inhibitors" (+33.6%). For "Sulfanilamidic derivatives, a reduction of 3.8% was verified. For non urban Health Centres prescription a generalised reduction in price per inscript was observed. For DDD/per inscript from 2007 to 2009 we found a generalised increase for urban health centres, except for "Oxicans". For non urban Health Centres there is a generalised decrease of DDD/per inscript from 2007 to 2009, with a special decrease for non-acidic compounds. As for Price of DDD from 2007 to 2009 there is a generalised reduction of such ratio with the only exception of "non acidic compounds" (+9,1%) for urban Health Centres. In view of the calculated ratios, the differences by urban vs non urban Health Centre in each of the studied years there is a significant higher value in non urban health centre, with the exception of Price of DDD for 2008 and 2009 where such ratio is non significantly higher in urban heath centre. CONCLUSIONS: During the study period, demographic growth was higher than the prescription growth in volume and in value. Prescription was more frequent and expensive in non-urban Health Centres. Price of DDD decreases from 2007 to 2009 signifying a much cheaper NSAIDs therapeutics.

Necrose avascular da cabeça femoral. Aspectos à ressonância magnética / Avascular necrosis of hip - MRI aspects

A osteonecrose da cabeça femoral do adulto ocorre em uma variedade de situaçöes, mas apesar da etiologia, a história natural é a mesma se näo tratada precocemente. Atualmente, a Ressonância Magnética é o método mais preciso para o diagnóstico dessa patologia em fases iniciais. Os autores fazem uma breve revisäo da literatura atual e correlacionam as fases da doença com os achados de imagem por Ressonância Magnética