[A Cognitive Behavioural-Based Intervention in Reducing Test Anxiety in High School Students: A Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial]. / Intervenção de Base Cognitivo-Comportamental na Redução da Ansiedade Perante os Testes em Alunos do Ensino Secundário: Estudo Piloto Aleatorizado e Controlado Por Clusters.

INTRODUCTION: School-age test anxiety is an important risk factor for school performance. Notwithstanding, few studies seek to identify which strategies are effective in improving test anxiety. The aim of this study was to assess whether a cognitive-behavioural intervention for high school students could significantly reduce test anxiety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two-arm, cluster-randomized controlled, unblinded, parallel, trial. Participants were 10th grade students from Alves Martins High School in Viseu, Portugal. Students were randomized at class level to receive a cognitive-behavioural-based intervention combined with mindfulness, psychoeducation, and relaxation techniques, or to a control group with no intervention. Participants' anxiety levels were measured using the Test Anxiety Questionnaire. The analysis of the effect of the intervention was carried out on an intention-to-treat basis at the class level, using multilevel mixed effects models and Bayesian modelling. RESULTS: The intervention had a significant effect in reducing test anxiety (d = 0.81, 95% CI 0.45;1.17, Bayes factor = 31.3). Male gender was an independent risk factor for smaller reductions in anxiety levels. The intervention was more effective in reducing the worry component of test anxiety (d = 0.76, 95% CI 0.41;1.11, Bayes factor = 19.9) than the emotionality component (d = 0.63, 95% CI 0.31;0.95, Bayes factor = 6.6). CONCLUSION: A cognitive-behavioural intervention specifically designed to reduce test anxiety, using a combination of mindfulness, psychoeducation and relaxation techniques, was effective in reducing test anxiety levels. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05481099) in 08/01/2022.

Introdução: A ansiedade face aos testes é um importante fator condicionante da performance escolar. Contudo, são escassos os estudos que procuram identificar quais as estratégias eficazes na sua melhoria. Este estudo teve como objetivo testar a eficácia de uma intervenção cognitivo-comportamental na redução da ansiedade face aos testes em alunos do ensino secundário. Material e Métodos: Estudo experimental, aleatorizado por clusters (turmas), controlado, sem ocultação, com dois grupos paralelos, com alunos do 10.º ano da Escola Secundária Alves Martins em Viseu, Portugal. Os alunos foram aleatorizados ao nível da turma para receber uma combinação de técnicas cognitivas e comportamentais, de mindfulness, psicoeducação e técnicas de relaxamento, ou para um grupo controlo sem intervenção. Os níveis de ansiedade dos participantes foram medidos através do Questionário de Ansiedade face aos Testes. A análise do efeito da intervenção foi realizada na base de intenção de tratar ao nível da turma recorrendo a modelos de efeitos mistos multinível e modelação bayesiana. Resultados: A intervenção teve um efeito significativo na redução da ansiedade face aos testes (d = 0,81, IC 95% 0,45;1,17, fator de Bayes = 31,3). Pertencer ao sexo masculino revelou-se um fator de risco independente para uma menor redução nos níveis de ansiedade. O efeito da intervenção foi mais pronunciado na redução da preocupação face aos testes (d = 0,76, IC 95% 0,41;1,11, fator de Bayes = 19,9) quando comparado com a emocionalidade (d = 0,63, IC 95% 0,31;0,95, fator de Bayes = 6,6). Conclusão: Uma intervenção especificamente desenhada para reduzir a ansiedade face aos testes, usando uma combinação de técnicas cognitivas e comportamentais de mindfulness, psicoeducação e técnicas de relaxamento, foi eficaz na redução dos níveis de ansiedade. Registo do Estudo: Estudo registado a posteriori (registo retrospetivo) em ClinicalTrials.gov com o número NCT05481099 em 01/08/2022.

Diagnostic Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) for Abdominal Pain: A Case of Tumefactive Sludge.

Biliary sludge is an extremely viscous sediment, consisting essentially of calcium bilirubinate granules and cholesterol crystals, which, due to its high viscosity, has poor and slow movement, leading to a mass-like configuration called tumefactive biliary sludge. Tumefactive sludge was first described with the advent of ultrasonography in the 1970s and is an uncommon intraluminal lesion of the gallbladder (GB). The differential diagnoses for an echogenic mass in the GB lumen include GB carcinoma, tumefactive sludge, and gangrenous cholecystitis. Ultrasonography is the election method for the screening of GB diseases, with diagnostic accuracy exceeding 90%. The point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has shown a major improvement in the evaluation of hepatobiliary diseases. POCUS allows the detection of GB wall thickness, pericholestatic fluid, sonographic Murphy's sign, and dilatation of the common bile duct. The authors present a case of abdominal pain caused by the presence of tumefactive sludge in the GB, in which POCUS helped establish the diagnosis and therapeutic guidance.

A Case of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis Induced by Ceftriaxone.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare and severe skin disorder induced in more than 90% of cases by an adverse drug reaction. This condition is defined by an acute growth of numerous, pin-head-sized, non-follicular pustules on a background of edematous erythema that starts on the face or in the armpits and groin. It is accompanied by fever and increased inflammatory markers. We present a case of a 39-year-old male, admitted to the internal medicine department due to Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis treated with ceftriaxone, who developed erythema covered with small sterile pustules in the face, neck, and axilla four days after antibiotic treatment. The clinical and pathological correlations confirmed the diagnosis, and the dermatosis resolved after discontinuing the drug and systemic corticosteroid treatment. Early recognition of this drug-induced dermatosis is crucial for adequate treatment.

Sweet's Syndrome: A Case Report of a Rare Extraintestinal Manifestation of Ulcerative Colitis.

Sweet's syndrome is a neutrophilic dermatosis of unknown etiology and a rare extraintestinal manifestation of ulcerative colitis. Classically, it is more common in women with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This syndrome typically presents in patients with acute-onset painful tender erythematous skin lesions and is usually accompanied by fever, arthralgia, and elevated inflammatory markers. Histological examination is characterized by diffuse dense dermal neutrophilic infiltrate with leukocytoclasia, without vasculitis. The treatment goals are to reduce morbidity and complications, and the most effective therapy is systemic corticosteroids. Early recognition of this syndrome is essential to improve our diagnostic and therapeutic abilities. We report a case of a 59-year-old female with ulcerative colitis, which presented with manifestations of Sweet's syndrome.

Idiopathic Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonia.

Idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) is a rare disease of unknown cause characterized by eosinophilic alveolar and interstitial infiltration. The authors describe the case of a 46-year-old black man, presenting with insidious onset and progressive course of dyspnea on minimum exertion, cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss for one year and worsening in the last three months. The main findings were serum eosinophilia. Chest radiographs showed multifocal infiltrations of irregular distribution in both lungs and a restrictive functional impairment. The patient underwent open lung biopsy, and the anatomopathological examination revealed consolidation by exudate constituted predominantly by macrophages (25%) and eosinophils (51%), which filled small air spaces, including respiratory and membranous bronchioles. The anatomopathological diagnosis was eosinophilic pneumonia (eosinophils > 25% is widely accepted for diagnosing eosinophilic pneumonia). The patient had a good clinical response after starting corticosteroid therapy.

Factors influencing the implementation of screening and brief interventions for alcohol use in primary care practices: a systematic review using the COM-B system and Theoretical Domains Framework.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol is a leading risk factor contributing to the global burden of disease. Several national and international agencies recommend that screening and brief interventions (SBI) should be routinely delivered in primary care settings to reducing patients' alcohol consumption. However, evidence shows that such activities are seldom implemented in practice. A review of the barriers and facilitators mediating implementation, and how they fit with theoretical understandings of behaviour change, to inform the design of implementation interventions is lacking. This study aimed to conduct a theory-informed review of the factors influencing general practitioners' and primary care nurses' routine delivery of alcohol SBI in adults. METHODS: A systematic literature search was carried out in four electronic databases (Medline, CINAHL, CENTRAL, PsycINFO) using comprehensive search strategies. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included. Two authors independently abstracted and thematically grouped the data extracted. The barriers and facilitators identified were mapped to the domains of the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour system/Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). RESULTS: Eighty-four out of the 258 studies identified met the selection criteria. The majority of the studies reported data on the views of general practitioners (n = 60) and used a quantitative design (n = 49). A total of 660 data items pertaining to barriers and 253 data items pertaining to facilitators were extracted and thematically grouped into 46 themes. The themes mapped to at least one of the 14 domains of the TDF. The three TDF domains with the highest number of data units coded were 'Environmental Context and Resources' (n = 158, e.g. lack of time), 'Beliefs about Capabilities' (n = 134, e.g. beliefs about the ability to deliver screening and brief advice and in helping patients to cut down) and 'Skills' (n = 99, e.g. lack of training). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a range of potential barriers and facilitators to the implementation of alcohol SBI delivery in primary care and adds to the scarce body of literature that identifies the barriers and facilitators from a theoretical perspective. Given that alcohol SBI is seldom implemented, this review provides researchers with a tool for designing novel theory-oriented interventions to support the implementation of such activity. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42016052681.

RECURRENT SLEEP PARALYSIS - FEAR OF SLEEPING.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of recurrent isolated sleep paralysis (RISP), a benign parasomnia with worrisome and frightening sleep paralysis episodes. CASE: description: We describe a case of RISP in a sixteen-year-old girl who seeks medical attention for anxiety symptoms. The sleep paralysis and associated auditory and tactile hallucinations began three years before with worsening in the last year, causing fear of sleeping. The episodes were intensely frightening causing negative impact in patient's sleep, school performance and social function. Medical conditions were excluded, and she started treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor with complete resolution of symptoms. COMMENTS: Sleep complaints are often devalued. Therefore, clinicians should actively ask their patients about their sleep during health assessment.

Recurrent sleep paralysis - fear of sleeping / Paralisia do sono recorrente - medo de dormir

ABSTRACT Objective: To report a case of recurrent isolated sleep paralysis (RISP), a benign parasomnia with worrisome and frightening sleep paralysis episodes. Case description: We describe a case of RISP in a sixteen-year-old girl who seeks medical attention for anxiety symptoms. The sleep paralysis and associated auditory and tactile hallucinations began three years before with worsening in the last year, causing fear of sleeping. The episodes were intensely frightening causing negative impact in patient's sleep, school performance and social function. Medical conditions were excluded, and she started treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor with complete resolution of symptoms. Comments: Sleep complaints are often devalued. Therefore, clinicians should actively ask their patients about their sleep during health assessment.

RESUMO Objetivo: Relatar um caso de paralisia do sono isolada e recorrente (PSIR), uma parassonia benigna com episódios inquietantes e assustadores de paralisia do sono. Descrição do caso: Descreve-se um caso de PSIR de uma adolescente de dezesseis anos que buscou cuidados médicos devido a sintomas de ansiedade. A paralisia do sono e as alucinações auditivas e táteis associadas haviam começado três anos antes, com agravamento no último ano, causando medo de dormir. Os episódios eram extremamente perturbadores, gerando um impacto negativo no sono, desempenho escolar e vida social da paciente. Condições médicas foram excluídas e começou um tratamento com um inibidor seletivo da recaptação de serotonina, com resolução completa dos sintomas. Comentários: Queixas relacionadas ao sono são frequentemente subvalorizadas. Portanto, os médicos devem perguntar aos seus pacientes sobre problemas relacionados com o sono durante a avaliação clínica.

Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Presenting as a Suspected Case of Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) represents a diagnostic challenge. Bone TB is an uncommon and important presentation of extrapulmonary TB, which can lead to bone destruction, deformity and even paraplegia. Breast TB is rare and often confused with neoplasia, since the clinical and imaging presentations are not specific. Any of these extrapulmonary TB presentations, in the absence of cultural isolation of mycobacteria, oblige the exclusion of other diseases (secondary or infectious diseases). The authors report a case of multifocal extrapulmonary TB, as an example of the problem with the differential diagnosis of the disease. LEARNING POINTS: Extrapulmonary TB remains a diagnostic challenge.Consider breast TB as a differential diagnosis of mammary nodules.A high level of suspicion is necessary to make an early diagnosis and start appropriate treatment before irreversible damage takes place.

Autoavaliação de médicos sobre sua formação em Medicina do Adolescente / Physicians' self-assessment on their training in Adolescent Medicine

OBJETIVOS: Caraterizar como os especialistas e residentes de Pediatria e de Medicina Geral e Familiar consideram que abordam os adolescentes, identificar as suas habilitações em Medicina do Adolescente, averiguar que tópicos dessa área os médicos gostariam de ver abordados em futuros treinamentos e comparar as percepções dos médicos das duas especialidades em relação à sua experiência na prática em saúde do adolescente. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com base em inquérito enviado via correio eletrônico a 241 médicos da área de influência de um hospital de nível II, tendo-se incluído especialistas e residentes de Pediatria e de Medicina Geral e Familiar de centros de saúde do concelho de Viseu, Portugal. Utilizaram-se os testes Qui-quadrado ou teste Exacto de Fisher para testar associações entre variáveis, assumindo-se significado estatístico quando p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Um total de 113 médicos completou o inquérito, sendo 74% do gênero feminino, com uma mediana de anos de prática de 12 anos (intervalo interquartil 5-30, mínimo 2 anos, máximo 38 anos). O grupo de Pediatria tinha mais formação em Medicina do Adolescente (57%) do que o grupo de Medicina Geral e Familiar (25%) (p=0,007). Mais médicos com formação específica em Medicina do Adolescente consideravam-se preparados para a entrevista ao adolescente (51%, vs. 28% dos que não tinham formação específica, p=0,03). Os médicos Gerais e de Família orientavam mais os adolescentes sobre consumo de substâncias, contracepção e doenças sexualmente transmissíveis, enquanto os médicos de Pediatria identificavam mais adolescentes com depressão. A maioria dos médicos avaliou-se como tendo conhecimentos insuficientes em Medicina do Adolescente, sendo o treino insuficiente a barreira mais frequentemente referida. Cinquenta e sete por cento dos médicos de Pediatria, 78% dos médicos Gerais e de Família e 84% dos que não tinham formação específica em Medicina do Adolescente, considerando as duas especialidades, gostariam de aprofundar os seus conhecimentos nessa área. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo permitiu identificar que áreas de conhecimento sobre Medicina do Adolescente estão deficitárias na formação dos pediatras e dos médicos gerais e de família. A maioria dos médicos, principalmente os que não tiveram formação em Medicina do Adolescente, mostraram-se interessados em preencher essa lacuna.

AIMS: To characterize the way in which General and Family physicians and Pediatricians consider approaching adolescents, identify their qualifications in Adolescent Medicine, ascertain which topics of this specialty these physicians would like to see addressed in future training, and to compare the perceptions of physicians of both specialties with respect to their experience in adolescent health practice. METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on a survey sent by e-mail to 241 physicians in the area of influence of a level II hospital, including specific training interns or experts in Pediatrics and General and Family Medicine from health centers of the municipality of Viseu, Portugal. Chi-square tests or Fisher's exact test were used to test associations between variables, assuming statistical significance when p<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 113 physicians completed the survey, of them 74% female, with a median of 12 years of practice (interquartile range 5-30, minimum 2 years, maximum 38 years). The Pediatrics group had more training in Adolescent Medicine (57%) than the General and Family Medicine group (25%) (p=0.007). More physicians with specific training in Adolescent Medicine considered themselves prepared for the adolescent interview (51%, vs. 28% of those who did not have specific training, p=0.03). Family and General practitioners guided adolescents more about substance use, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases, while Pediatrics doctors identified more adolescents with depression. Most physicians rated themselves as having insufficient knowledge in Adolescent Medicine, with insufficient training being the most frequently referred barrier. Fifty-seven percent of Pediatrics doctors, 78% of General practitioners and 84% of those with no specific training in Adolescent Medicine, considering the two specialties, would like to deepen their knowledge in this area. CONCLUSIONS: This study allowed identifying which areas of knowledge on Adolescent Medicine are deficient in the training of Pediatricians and General practitioners. Most physicians, especially those with no training in Adolescent Medicine, showed interest in filling this gap.

Improving the attitudes of primary care practitioners toward adolescent care: a pre-post intervention pilot study.

Background Investing in adolescent health is among the most cost-effective health measures. Primary care practitioners are ideally positioned to deliver such interventions. However, several barriers hinder them from engaging with adolescents. Objective To pilot test the impact of a 1-day training session on adolescent health on the attitudes of primary care practitioners toward adolescent care. Subjects Participants were family physicians and nurses enrolled in a 1-day training session on adolescent health. Methods A non-randomized, pre-post intervention study with no control group. Data on barriers for providing care to adolescents, preferred pediatric age group and attitudes toward adolescent care were collected immediately prior. Participants' attitudes were measured again immediately after training. Results Most participants reported they preferred to attend pediatric groups other than adolescents. The most frequently reported barriers were: excessive amount of time needed and lack of training. Participants reported positive pre-training attitudes, with mean scores above the midpoint of the scale in all dimensions. Significant positive improvements were observed after training in Adequacy, Self-esteem and Satisfaction. Subgroup analysis showed that at baseline, professionals who preferred to work with adolescents had significantly more positive attitudes in Adequacy, Self-esteem and Satisfaction. After training there was a general improvement in attitudes in both groups, with attenuation of the differences between them. Conclusion Participation in a 1-day tailored educational intervention on adolescent health had a positive impact on the attitudes of primary care practitioners, regardless of their preferred age group. This improvement may lead to more active engagement with adolescents and substantial health gains.

Factors Influencing the Implementation of Screening and Brief Interventions for Alcohol Use in Primary Care Practices: A Systematic Review Protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol is a leading risk factor contributing to the global burden of disease. National and international agencies recommend evidence-based screening and brief interventions in primary care settings in order to reduce alcohol consumption. However, the majority of primary care professionals do not routinely deliver such interventions. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors influencing general practitioners/family physicians' and primary care nurses' routine delivery of alcohol screening and brief intervention in adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic literature search will be carried out in the following electronic databases: Medline, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and PsycINFO. Two authors will independently abstract data and assess study quality using the NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute quality assessment tools for quantitative studies, and the CASP checklist for qualitative studies. A narrative synthesis of the findings will be provided, structured around the barriers and facilitators identified. Identified barriers and facilitators will be further analysed using the Behavioural Change Wheel/Theoretical Domains Framework. DISCUSSION: This review will describe the barriers to, and facilitators for, the implementation of alcohol screening and brief interventions by general practitioners/family physicians and nurses at primary care practices. By mapping the barriers and facilitators to the domains of the Behavioural Change Wheel/Theoretical Domains Framework, this review will also provide implementation researchers with a useful tool for selecting promising practitioner-oriented behavioural interventions for improving alcohol screening and brief intervention delivery in primary care. CONCLUSION: This review will provide important information for implementing alcohol screening and brief intervention in primary health care.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO CRD42016052681.

Introdução: O consumo de álcool é um importante fator de risco a nível mundial. Apesar de serem recomendadas por muitas instâncias nacionais e internacionais, a deteção e intervenção breve no consumo de álcool ainda não está integrada na prática da maioria dos profissionais de saúde dos Cuidados de Saúde Primários. Objetivo: Identificar as barreiras e os facilitadores à implementação da deteção e intervenção breve nos consumos de álcool nos Cuidados de Saúde Primários por parte dos Médicos e Enfermeiros de Família. Material e Métodos: Será realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura nas seguintes bases de dados: Medline, CINAHL, CENTRAL, e PsycINFO. Dois autores irão, de forma independente, extrair os dados, e avaliar a qualidade dos estudos selecionados. A qualidade dos estudos quantitativos será avaliada através das checklists do NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, enquanto a dos estudos qualitativos será avaliada através da checklist CASP. Os resultados serão apresentados numa síntese narrativa, estruturada em torno das barreiras e facilitadores identificados, e analisados à luz dos domínios teóricos da Behavioural Change Wheel/Theoretical Domains Framework. Discussão: Esta revisão sistemática descreverá as barreiras e os facilitadores à implementação da deteção e intervenção breve nos consumos de álcool nos Cuidados de Saúde Primários. Ao estabelecer a ligação entre estes fatores e os diferentes domínios teóricos da Behavioural Change Wheel/Theoretical Domains Framework, esta revisão sistemática vai facilitar o desenho de programas que visem a implementação destas boas práticas neste nível de cuidados. Conclusão: Esta revisão contribuirá com informação importante para a implementação da deteção e intervenção breve nos consumos de álcool nos Cuidados de Saúde Primários. Registo: PROSPERO CRD42016052681.

Metformin effectiveness and safety in the management of overweight/obese nondiabetic children and adolescents: metabolic benefits of the continuous exposure to metformin at 12 and 24 months.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood obesity prevalence is rising and new therapeutical approaches are needed. Metformin is likely beneficial in obese and/or insulin-resistant children/adolescents, but its role in this setting is still unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, in terms of weight loss and insulin resistance, and safety of metformin in nondiabetic overweight/obese children and adolescents. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical records of 78 nondiabetic obese/overweight [body mass index (BMI)≥85th/95th percentile for age and sex] children and adolescents. Anthropometric and metabolic outcomes of 39 patients treated with metformin (mean daily dose: 1.3±0.5 g) were analyzed and compared to lifestyle intervention alone at different follow-up times (12 and 24 months). RESULTS: The mean age of the 78 patients was 13.3 years, 41 were females and mean BMI and BMI-SDS were 32.8 kg/m2 and 3.1, respectively. There was a decrease in mean BMI-SDS within each treatment group in all periods, except at 24 months for lifestyle intervention. However, the change in BMI-SDS was not significantly superior in the metformin group when compared to lifestyle intervention. Metformin had greater effectiveness over lifestyle intervention alone in reducing fasting insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment for insulin-resistance index (HOMA-IR) at both 12 and 24 months. Five patients had gastrointestinal adverse effects (12.8%), four requiring dose reduction, but metformin could be resumed in all. CONCLUSION: Metformin for nondiabetic obese/overweight children and adolescents resulted in a noteworthy insulin resistance improvement, without significant BMI advantage when compared to lifestyle intervention. Metformin metabolic and anthropometric effects appear to be beneficial up to 24 months, without relevant adverse effects, highlighting its potential long-term benefits.

Childhood obesity, thyroid function, and insulin resistance ­ is there a link? A longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are frequently elevated in obese children and are most likely to be associated with insulin resistance. However, clinical relevance of this association remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of hyperthyrotropinemia; to analyze the relationship between TSH and homeostasis model assessment - insulin resistance (HOMA-IR); and to verify whether TSH levels and HOMA-IR vary with weight loss in obese children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Retrospective longitudinal study with data from baseline and 1 year after lifestyle intervention in a pediatric obese group (344 children were recruited and 100 among them completed follow-up). For postintervention analysis, three groups were considered according to body mass index-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) variations: ≤-0.5 (significant weight loss); 0.5-0 (weight loss); and >0 (weight gain). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 19.0®. RESULTS: The prevalence of increased TSH levels was 9.3%. At baseline TSH (p=0.007), fT4 (p=0.006), and HOMA-IR (p<0.001) were positively correlated to BMI-SDS (n=344). Weight reduction was verified in 67 out of 100 cases but significant loss was present in only 21 cases. Decreases in both TSH and BMI-SDS were independently associated with decreases in HOMA-IR (p=0.005 and p=0.016, respectively). There was no correlation between TSH and BMI-SDS variation. Significant decreases in the HOMA-IR (p=0.006) were only achieved in the significant weight loss group. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hyperthyrotropinemia was lower than previously reported. However, cutoff values were adjusted to pubertal stage, suggesting an over report in other studies. Insulin resistance and TSH were positively correlated, independent of body status. Although weight loss was not associated with TSH variation, a decrease in TSH levels was independently associated with decreases in HOMA-IR.

[Osteogenesis imperfecta--experience of Dona Estefânia's Hospital orthopedics' department]. / Osteogénese imperfeita--experiência do serviço de ortopedia do Hospital Dona Estefânia.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder characterized by bone fragility and osteopenia. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach and aims to improve the quality of life. The authors aimed to describe the characteristics of a sample of children with OI, to evaluate the treatment and clinical outcome before and after therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, longitudinal, retrospective and analytic study based on data obtained from the analisys of the clinical files of all patients with OI included in the pamidronate treatment protocol in Dona Estefânia's Hospital. The studied variables were: gender, age at diagnosis, familiar history of OI, age at fracture, fracture location, number of fractures, medical/surgical therapy, age at onset of treatment, number of courses of medical therapy, age at surgical treatment and its complications. A five percent statistics significance level was adopted. RESULTS: in 21 patients, 61.9% were male and 11 had its OI type registered (five type I, three type III, three type IV). The average age of diagnosis was 20.6 months and there were two diagnostic peaks: the first month - 37%, and 24 months - 26%. On average patients had 0.62 fractures/patient/year, of which 17.4% in the perinatal period and 62% before age three. Most of the fractures occurred in the lower limbs (55.6%). All patients underwent medical treatment, starting at an average of 4.3 years. In follow-up sample (n=14) there was a decrease in the number of fractures after starting treatment with pamidronate (0.76 to 0.35 fractures/patient/year). Intramedullary rods were placed in nine patients (64.3%). In eight patients they were placed in the femur, four unilateral and four bilateral, with no prior history of fracture in three cases. There were no new fractures in the surgically treated bones. CONCLUSION: OI is a disease with a wide clinical variability that mainly depends on its type. Despite no cure has been found, medical treatment with biphosphonates and surgical treatment, with intramedullary rods, seems to reduce the incidence of new fracture occurrence.

Abstract available from the publisher.

[Convulsive status epilepticus in the pediatric emergency department: five year retrospective analysis]. / Estado de mal convulsivo na urgência pediátrica: estudo retrospectivo de cinco anos.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: status epilepticus (SE) is the most common neurological emergency in childhood. It may be associated with high mortality and morbidity, resulting in focal neurologic deficits, developmental disorder and epilepsy. The aims of this study were to describe the epidemiology, mortality and morbidity of convulsive SE and to assess the predictive factors of its neurological, cognitive and behavioral prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: observational, retrospective, analytical study. Clinical files of children admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Department of Hospital Garcia de Orta with a diagnosis of convulsive SE between first January 2002 to 31st December 2006 were analyzed. The studied variables were age at crisis and current age, gender, type of seizure, duration and etiology of seizure, neurological deficit, epilepsy, seizures, psychomotor development and behavior. Regarding the last five variables data from before and after the SE were analyzed. Data analysis was performed with the programs Excel2007® and SPSS® 15.0. RESULTS: 29 children were admitted with 33 episodes of SE aged between nine months and five years, there were no differences in gender distribution (male 12, female: 17 - p = 0.46). The etiology of SE was febrile in 16 children, remote symptomatic in seven related to idiopathic / cryptogenic epilepsy in five children and not classifiable in one case. The mean follow-up was six years and four months. There were no deaths associated with SE. There was deterioration in neurological status in two children (8.7%). Epilepsy was diagnosed following the SE in three (13%) children. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective review suggests that the SE is associated with a better prognosis than that recorded a few decades ago. A more favorable prognosis was verified in febrile status than in other etiologies.

A score for assessing the risk of first-time adolescent pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent pregnancy is an important health issue. Prevention programs are usually aimed at the prevention of repeat pregnancy, ignoring the adolescents at risk of becoming pregnant for the first time. OBJECTIVES: To analyse if socio-economic status, family type and mother's age at first pregnancy are risk factors for adolescent pregnancy and to design a risk score of first-time adolescent pregnancy. METHODS: A case-control study was performed: cases were primiparous adolescents and controls were primiparous adult women. Participants were asked about their socio-economic status and family structure during adolescence and the age at which their mothers' first pregnancy occurred. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. A first-time adolescent pregnancy risk score was designed based on a multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: Sixty-six adolescents and 140 adults were interviewed. Belonging to a family other than nuclear or extended types was an independent risk factor for adolescent pregnancy (OR 9.37, 95% CI 3.36-38.07). Low socio-economic status and having a mother with history of adolescent pregnancy were not independent risk factors (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.34-5.11 and OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.42-4.32, respectively), achieving significance only when simultaneously present (OR 6.01, 95% CI 2.36-20.79). The presence of all these factors determined the highest adolescent pregnancy probability (OR 10.49, 95% CI 3.43-51.00). A first-time adolescent pregnancy risk assessment score was designed, with an estimated sensitivity of 75.8% and specificity of 75.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent pregnancy is associated with unfavorable precedents that can be used to identify adolescents at increased risk of early pregnancy.

[Causes and consequences of glycated hemoglobin variability on pediatric population]. / Causas e consequências da variabilidade da hemoglobina glicada numa população pediátrica.

BACKGROUND: Type one diabetes mellitus is the second most frequent disease in childhood, presenting with serious complications when inadequately controlled. The most useful measure of metabolic control is hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), being essential the awareness of the causes of its variability. AIM: to evaluate the effect of age and time of disease on HbA1c; to evaluate the relationship between HbA1c and serum lipid and microalbuminuria values. METHODS: Observational, transversal and analytic study, based on data obtained in the files of all patients that attain the Pediatric Diabetic Consult. The studied variables were: sex, actual age, diagnostic age, metabolic control and chronic complications. Statistical analysis was made with Excel2003® and SPSS 15.0®. A significance level of 5% was adopted. RESULTS: a 96 diabetic population was obtained. Last year HbA1c average was 8,3% and was less than 7,5% in one third of the cases. Adolescent's HbA1c (8,4%) was significantly higher than in children (7,8%) (p=0,03). Diabetics with a disease longer than five years presented higher HbA1c values (9% vs. 7,8%; p<0,01). Microalbuminuria was present in 9% and lipid abnormalities in 10%. The ones with dyslipidemia had a significantly higher HbA1c (9,7% vs. 8%; p=0,001) as well as the ones with microalbuminuria (10% vs. 8%; p<0,001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study it was verified that adolescents and diabetics with a longer time of disease have higher HbA1c. It was also verified that the consequences of a poor metabolic control, such as microalbuminuria and lipid disorder, can be observed even at pediatric age.

Rotavirus acute gastroenteritis among Filipino children

This is a prospective study aimed to determine the clinical profile of pediatric patients less than 5 years old with rotavirus diarrhea seen at the Philippine General Hospital from August 1-September 15, 2001. Ninety-one patients with acute diarrhea were included in the study. Of these 39 patients (42.9 percent) had rotavirus antigen in the stool as detected by the ELISA method. The mean age of the patients was 11.5 months with 61.5 percent of the patients belonging to the 7-12 months of age, mostly well-nourished. The stools were described as watery (74.4 percent), yellow in color (84.7 percent), with no pus, red blood cells or parasite. Average duration of diarrhea prior to consultation was 2.5 +/- 1.8 days with 7 episodes per day. Vomiting, fever and concomitant upper respiratory tract infection were noted in 76.9 percent, 64 percent and 23.7 percent of the patients respectively. A comparison of the rotavirus versus bacterial etiology of diarrhea showed fever and vomiting to be more predominant in rotavirus while dehydration was noted in bacterial isolates. Antibiotic was noted to be given to 38.5 percent rotavirus cases. Increased awareness of rotavirus diarrhea, regarding its high incidence and clinical profile, will help guide physicians in their rational use of antibiotics for patients with acute diarrhea