ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: PCM is a neglected systemic mycosis endemic in Brazil. The middle-west region of Brazil has shown the highest number of PCM by Paracoccidioides lutzii (P lutzii) cases. Differentiating cases of severe PCM from non-severe ones should be a concern at the bedside. Diagnosis of severe PCM by P lutzii is based on the subjectivity of clinical manifestations, which can result in a delay in starting its treatment and, consequently evolution to severe sequelae. There is not laboratory biomarker available to support the early diagnosis of severe PCM that is feasible for all the realities that coexist in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of laboratory biomarkers as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the diagnosis of severe PCM. PATIENTS/METHODS: ESR, CRP and NLR were analysed for 44 patients with PCM by P lutzii and a Receiver Operation Characteristic (ROC) curve were generated to identify the NLR cut-off point and point out the presence of severe PCM. RESULTS: Sixteen (36.4%) had severe PCM and 28 (63.6%) had non-severe PCM. The mean NLR was higher and statistically significant among patients with severe PCM than among those with non-severe PCM. The area under the ROC curve was 0.859 for the diagnosis of severe PCM. The cut-off point for NLR for the diagnosis of severe PCM was 3.318 (sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 77%). CONCLUSIONS: According to results, it is plausible to conclude that NLR represents a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of severe PCM.
Subject(s)
Lymphocytes/immunology , Neutrophils/immunology , Paracoccidioides/immunology , Paracoccidioidomycosis/diagnosis , Paracoccidioidomycosis/immunology , Adult , Aged , Asymptomatic Infections , Biomarkers/analysis , Brazil , Clinical Laboratory Techniques , Female , Humans , Lymphocyte Count/methods , Lymphocyte Count/statistics & numerical data , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index , Young AdultABSTRACT
RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: A educação das relações étnico-raciais e a história da cultura afro-brasileira, previstas nas Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais do curso de graduação em Medicina como temas transversais, representam um desafio para o desenvolvimento curricular no contexto da social accountability, das metodologias de ensino e dos cenários de prática e integração à rede de serviços de saúde. OBJETIVOS: Identificar as necessidades relacionadas à saúde materna em população quilombola, valorizando os valores, conhecimentos, saberes e cultura local. Estabelecer uma estratégia de cuidado, com participação discente, que contemple as necessidades identificadas na comunidade quilombola. Descrever os conhecimentos, habilidades e atitudes necessários ao desenvolvimento de competências culturais relacionadas à saúde materna das mulheres quilombolas. MÉTODOS: Pesquisa-ação para implantação de serviço de atenção interprofissional no pré-natal, com participação discente, tendo por base as necessidades da comunidade quilombola Capoeiras, em Macaíba (RN). Os dados foram analisados qualitativamente, pela técnica de análise de conteúdo temática categorial, com categorias definidas a priori. RESULTADOS: A criação de vínculos (a)efetivos entre usuárias e equipe de saúde e a habilidade de reflexão com ênfase na comunicação se mostraram como principais necessidades para o comportamento culturalmente competente no cuidado à saúde materna quilombola. As oportunidades de o estudante de Medicina conhecer a situação de saúde da população quilombola e vivenciar o trabalho interprofissional se mostraram estratégias efetivas para potencializar o desenvolvimento de competências culturais na formação médica. CONCLUSÕES: A formação de profissionais da saúde hábeis em interagir eficazmente com populações etnicamente diversas requer que estes conheçam os processos que influenciam a saúde e cuidados de saúde das minorias populacionais, além de vivências relacionadas à diversidade cultural, inseridas nos currículos médicos.
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Training in ethnic and race relations and the history of Afro-Brazilian culture, established in the National Curricular Directives for Undergraduate Medical Courses as a transversal theme, represents a challenge for developing curricula in terms of social accountability, teaching methodologies and work experience in practical settings with integration into the health service network. OBJECTIVE: To identify the maternal health care needs among the quilombola population, appreciating the local culture, values and knowledge. To set a care strategy with student participation which contemplates the identified needs in the quilombola community. To describe the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for the development of cultural competencies related to maternal health care of quilombola women. METHODS: Action research for the implantation of interprofessional prenatal care services with student participation, based on the needs of the quilombola community of Capoeiras, in Macaiba (RN). The information gathered was analyzed qualitatively by means of content analysis, with a priori definition of the thematic categories. RESULTS: The formation of affective bonds between users and the health team, and communication skills that help enable reflection were found as the main needs for culturally competent behavior in maternal care of the quilombola community. The medical students' opportunity to learn about the health of the quilombola people and to have an interprofessional work experience proved to be effective strategies to leverage the development of cultural skills in medical training. CONCLUSIONS: The training of health professionals capable of interacting effectively with ethnically diverse populations requires their understanding the processes that influence the health and healthcare of ethnic minorities, as well as experiences related to cultural diversity, included in medical curricula.
