Avaliação de efetividade da atenção domiciliar de uma cooperativa médica de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil / Home care effectiveness assessment in a health maintenance organization in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil / Evaluación de la eficacia de un programa de atención domiciliaria en una cooperativa médica de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil

A retrospective cohort study was performed to assess the impact of a Case Management Home Care Program supplied by the Unimed-BH medical cooperative on hospitalization-free survival time among eligible patients 60 years or older. A Cox proportional hazards model was fitted to assess the impact of home visits by health professionals on hospitalization-free survival time in a sample of 2,943 elders, while adjusting for patient age, physical dependence, medicines, feeding route, pressure ulcers, supplemental oxygen therapy, cognitive impairment, outpatient visits, and hospitalizations in the preceding quarter. Risk factors for shorter hospitalization-free survival time were: degree of physical dependence, enteral nutrition, supplemental oxygen therapy, pressure ulcers, and hospital admissions in the previous quarter. Higher rates of home visits by physicians and nurses showed a protective dose-response effect on hospitalization-free survival time. The data suggest that regular home visits by physicians and nurses lengthen hospitalization-free survival time among elderly patients enrolled in the program.

Foi realizado estudo de coorte retrospectiva com o objetivo de avaliar o impacto do plano de cuidados do Programa de Atenção Domiciliar da Unimed-BH, modalidade Gerenciamento de Casos (PrGC/AD), sobre o tempo livre de hospitalização entre os pacientes com 60 anos ou mais assistidos pelo programa. Utilizou-se o modelo de Cox para avaliar o efeito do intervalo entre as visitas domiciliares dos profissionais do programa sobre o tempo livre de hospitalização de 2.943 idosos, ajustado por idade, medicamentos em uso, via de alimentação, úlcera de pressão, déficit cognitivo, dependência física, oxigenioterapia, consultas ambulatoriais e hospitalizações no trimestre anterior. Foram fatores de risco para menor tempo livre de hospitalização: o grau de dependência física, alimentação enteral, oxigenioterapia suplementar, úlceras de pressão e hospitalizações no trimestre anterior. Observouse efeito protetor dose-resposta da frequência de visitas médicas e de enfermagem. Os resultados sugerem que visitas domiciliares regulares de médico e enfermeiro aumentam significativamente o tempo livre de hospitalização nos pacientes assistidos pelo PrGC/AD.

Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo para evaluar el impacto de un plan de asistencia del Programa de Atención Domiciliaria de Unimed-BH, modalidad de Gestión de Casos (PrGC/AD), sobre el tiempo libre de hospitalización en pacientes con 60 años o más. Se usó el modelo de riesgos proporcionales de Cox para evaluar el efecto del intervalo entre las visitas domiciliarias de los profesionales del programa sobre el tiempo libre de hospitalización de 2.943 ancianos, ajustado por edad, medicamentos usados, vía de alimentación, úlcera por presión, deterioro cognitivo, dependencia física, oxigenoterapia, consultas ambulatorias y hospitalizaciones en el trimestre anterior. Fueron factores de riesgo para un menor tiempo libre de hospitalización: grado de dependencia física, alimentación enteral, oxigenoterapia suplementaria, úlcera por presión y hospitalizaciones en el trimestre anterior. Las frecuencias de visitas médicas y de enfermeros tuvieron un efecto protector dosis-respuesta. Los resultados sugieren que las visitas domiciliarias regulares de médico y enfermero aumentan el tiempo libre de hospitalización en los pacientes asistidos por el PrGC/AD.

[Factors associated with quality of life in patients in renal replacement therapy in Brazil]. / Fatores associados à qualidade de vida de pacientes em terapia renal substitutiva no Brasil.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a serious public health problem. The study of the impact of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in quality of life (QoL) has become increasingly important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the QoL of patients on RRT and associated factors. 3036 patients on RRT in Brazil were interviewed in relation to socioeconomic, demographic, clinical and QoL aspects. Patients were randomly selected after a cluster sampling process on two levels: health services and patients. QoL was measured by Eq5D. The instrument allows the indirect measurement of QoL and utility calculation, in addition to the direct measurement of QoL by a visual analog scale (VAS). It was observed that transplant patients have better QoL and that the most prejudicial aspects are pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. The main factors associated with QOL are age, female gender, variables associated with the clinical condition of the patient such as the need for hospitalization and the presence of comorbidities, social class and variables associated with the health service use. The correlation between VAS and utility calculated was moderate and the 5 Eq5D questions explain 43% of the variability of VAS. The calculated utility can be used in cost-utility analysis.

Fatores associados à qualidade de vida de pacientes em terapia renal substitutiva no Brasil / Factors associated with quality of life in patients in renal replacement therapy in Brazil

A doença renal crônica terminal constitui grave problema de saúde pública. O estudo do impacto das terapias renais substitutivas (TRS) na qualidade de vida (QV) tem se tornado cada vez mais importante. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a QV de pacientes em TRS e os fatores a ela associados. Foram entrevistados 3036 pacientes em TRS no Brasil com relação a aspectos socioeconômicos, demográficos, clínicos e QV. Os pacientes foram selecionados de forma aleatória após processo de amostragem por conglomerado em dois níveis: serviços de saúde e pacientes. A QV foi medida pelo Eq5D. O instrumento permite a medida indireta da QV e o cálculo da utilidade, além da medida direta da QV pela escala visual analógica (EVA). Observou-se que pacientes transplantados possuem melhor QV e que os aspectos mais comprometidos são dor/desconforto e ansiedade/depressão. Os principais fatores associados à QV são idade, sexo feminino, variáveis associadas à condição clínica do paciente, como necessidade de internação e presença de comorbidades, a classe social e variáveis associadas ao serviço de saúde utilizado. A correlação entre EVA e a utilidade calculada foi moderada e as 5 questões do Eq5D explicam 43% da variabilidade da EVA. A utilidade calculada pode ser utilizada em avaliações de custo-utilidade.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a serious public health problem. The study of the impact of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in quality of life (QoL) has become increasingly important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the QoL of patients on RRT and associated factors. 3036 patients on RRT in Brazil were interviewed in relation to socioeconomic, demographic, clinical and QoL aspects. Patients were randomly selected after a cluster sampling process on two levels: health services and patients. QoL was measured by Eq5D. The instrument allows the indirect measurement of QoL and utility calculation, in addition to the direct measurement of QoL by a visual analog scale (VAS). It was observed that transplant patients have better QoL and that the most prejudicial aspects are pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. The main factors associated with QOL are age, female gender, variables associated with the clinical condition of the patient such as the need for hospitalization and the presence of comorbidities, social class and variables associated with the health service use. The correlation between VAS and utility calculated was moderate and the 5 Eq5D questions explain 43% of the variability of VAS. The calculated utility can be used in cost-utility analysis.

[Home care effectiveness assessment in a health maintenance organization in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil]. / Avaliação de efetividade da atenção domiciliar de uma cooperativa médica de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil.

A retrospective cohort study was performed to assess the impact of a Case Management Home Care Program supplied by the Unimed-BH medical cooperative on hospitalization-free survival time among eligible patients 60 years or older. A Cox proportional hazards model was fitted to assess the impact of home visits by health professionals on hospitalization-free survival time in a sample of 2,943 elders, while adjusting for patient age, physical dependence, medicines, feeding route, pressure ulcers, supplemental oxygen therapy, cognitive impairment, outpatient visits, and hospitalizations in the preceding quarter. Risk factors for shorter hospitalization-free survival time were: degree of physical dependence, enteral nutrition, supplemental oxygen therapy, pressure ulcers, and hospital admissions in the previous quarter. Higher rates of home visits by physicians and nurses showed a protective dose-response effect on hospitalization-free survival time. The data suggest that regular home visits by physicians and nurses lengthen hospitalization-free survival time among elderly patients enrolled in the program.

[Erythropoietin use by incident hemodialysis patients in the Brazilian Unified National Health System, 2002-2003]. / Utilização de eritropoetina por pacientes incidentes em hemodiálise no Sistema Único de Saúde, Brasil, 2002-2003.

This study aimed to describe the demographic and epidemiological profile of Brazilian patients entering hemodialysis from 2002 to 2003 and identify predictors of erythropoietin use. The study analyzed demographic and clinical characteristics and dialysis facility-related variables from 32,136 patients identified by deterministic-probabilistic matching in the database of authorizations for high-cost procedures and the Mortality Information System. Poisson regression was used to identify predictors of erythropoietin use. Male gender, age < 65 years, diabetic renal failure, arteriovenous fistula at the beginning of hemodialysis, and living in States of Brazil other than Mato Grosso were predictors of erythropoietin use. The policy of care for chronic kidney disease, resource allocation for States and municipalities, and anemia management according to the patient's drug therapy profile need to be revised in order to reduce observed inequities in erythropoietin use.

Utilização de eritropoetina por pacientes incidentes em hemodiálise no Sistema Único de Saúde, Brasil, 2002-2003 / Erythropoietin use by incident hemodialysis patients in the Brazilian Unified National Health System, 2002-2003

Este estudo visa a descrever o perfil demográfico e epidemiológico de pacientes incidentes em hemodiálise, que utilizaram eritropoetina em 2002 e 2003, no Brasil, e identificar fatores associados ao uso desse medicamento. Foram analisados dados demográficos, clínicos e relacionados à unidade de diálise de 32.136 pacientes, identificados por pareamento determinístico-probabilístico de dados do subsistema de autorização de procedimentos de alto custo e do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade. Um modelo de regressão de Poisson foi usado para identificar fatores associados ao uso de eritropoetina. Sexo masculino; idade inferior a 65 anos; nefropatia diabética; fístula arteriovenosa ao iniciar hemodiálise e residir em outras Unidades Federativas diferentes do Mato Grosso foram fatores associados ao uso de eritropoetina. A política de atenção ao doente renal, a alocação de recursos para estados e municípios e o manejo da anemia, segundo o perfil farmacoterapêutico dos pacientes, devem ser revistos, a fim de reduzir as iniquidades observadas na utilização da eritropoetina.

This study aimed to describe the demographic and epidemiological profile of Brazilian patients entering hemodialysis from 2002 to 2003 and identify predictors of erythropoietin use. The study analyzed demographic and clinical characteristics and dialysis facility-related variables from 32,136 patients identified by deterministic-probabilistic matching in the database of authorizations for high-cost procedures and the Mortality Information System. Poisson regression was used to identify predictors of erythropoietin use. Male gender, age < 65 years, diabetic renal failure, arteriovenous fistula at the beginning of hemodialysis, and living in States of Brazil other than Mato Grosso were predictors of erythropoietin use. The policy of care for chronic kidney disease, resource allocation for States and municipalities, and anemia management according to the patient's drug therapy profile need to be revised in order to reduce observed inequities in erythropoietin use.

[Survival analysis of dialysis patients in the Brazilian Unified National Health System]. / Sobrevida de pacientes em diálise no SUS no Brasil.

The aim of this study was to analyze the survival of patients who initiated renal replacement therapy (RRT) with hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in the Brazilian Unified National Health System from 2002 to 2004. This was an observational, prospective, non-concurrent study. The study used the National Database for Renal Replacement Therapies resulting from probabilistic matching of Authorization of High-Complexity Procedures/Outpatient Information System and the Mortality Information System. The study included patients admitted in 2002 and 2003, with 3 months of treatment, and 18 years or older. Of the 31,298 patients, the majority: began RRT with hemodialysis, were male, with mean age 54 years, and living in the Southeast region and in municipalities with a mean HDI of 0.78. Increased risk of death was associated with: female gender, age greater than 55 years, diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, peritoneal dialysis, and not residing in the Southeast region. Residing in cities with higher HDI was associated with lower risk. Adjusted risk was HR = 1.17 in favor of hemodialysis. The results suggest shorter survival for peritoneal dialysis and older patients. It is thus necessary to support policies to better evaluate the RRT modality with studies that further elucidate the findings.

Sobrevida de pacientes em diálise no SUS no Brasil / Survival analysis of dialysis patients in the Brazilian Unified National Health System

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a sobrevida dos que iniciaram tratamento renal substitutivo em hemodiálise e diálise peritoneal no SUS, entre 2002 a 2004. Estudo observacional, prospectivo não concorrente. Utilizou-se a Base Nacional em Terapias Renais Substitutivas resultante de pareamento probabilístico dos sistemas Autorização de Procedimentos de Alta Complexidade/Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais e Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade do SUS. Incluíram-se os admitidos em 2002 e 2003, com 3 meses de tratamento e maiores de 18 anos. Dos 31.298 pacientes, a maioria iniciou em hemodiálise, era do sexo masculino, com média de 54 anos e residentes na Região Sudeste, e em municípios com IDH médio foi de 0,78. Associou-se a maior risco óbito: sexo feminino, idade superior a 55 anos, diagnóstico de diabete mellitus, em diálise peritoneal, não residir na Região Sudeste. Residir em cidades com melhor IDH proporcionou menor risco. Risco ajustado de HR = 1,17 em favor da hemodiálise. Os resultados sugerem menor sobrevida para os de diálise peritoneal e mais velhos. Portanto, torna-se necessário subsidiar políticas que avaliem melhor a escolha da modalidade, com estudos que aprofundem os achados encontrados.

The aim of this study was to analyze the survival of patients who initiated renal replacement therapy (RRT) with hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in the Brazilian Unified National Health System from 2002 to 2004. This was an observational, prospective, non-concurrent study. The study used the National Database for Renal Replacement Therapies resulting from probabilistic matching of Authorization of High-Complexity Procedures/Outpatient Information System and the Mortality Information System. The study included patients admitted in 2002 and 2003, with 3 months of treatment, and 18 years or older. Of the 31,298 patients, the majority: began RRT with hemodialysis, were male, with mean age 54 years, and living in the Southeast region and in municipalities with a mean HDI of 0.78. Increased risk of death was associated with: female gender, age greater than 55 years, diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, peritoneal dialysis, and not residing in the Southeast region. Residing in cities with higher HDI was associated with lower risk. Adjusted risk was HR = 1.17 in favor of hemodialysis. The results suggest shorter survival for peritoneal dialysis and older patients. It is thus necessary to support policies to better evaluate the RRT modality with studies that further elucidate the findings.

Epidemiological profile of patients on renal replacement therapy in Brazil, 2000-2004.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients under renal replacement therapies, identifying risk factors for death. METHODS: This is a non-concurrent cohort study of data for 90,356 patients in the National Renal Replacement Therapies Database. A deterministic-probabilistic linkage was performed using the Authorization System for High Complexity/Cost Procedures and the Mortality Information System databases. All patients who started dialysis between 1/1/2000 and 12/31/2004 were included and followed until death or the end of 2004. Age, sex, region of residence, primary renal disease and causes of death were analyzed. A proportional hazards model was used to identify factors associated with risk of death. RESULTS: The prevalence of patients under renal replacement therapies increased an average of 5.5%, while incidence remained stable during the period. Hemodialysis was the predominant initial modality (89%). The patients were majority male with mean age 53 years, residents of the Southeast region and presented unknown causes as the main cause of chronic renal disease, followed by hypertension, diabetes and glomerulonephritis. Of these patients, 42% progressed to death and 7% underwent kidney transplantation. The patients on peritoneal dialysis were older and had higher prevalence of diabetes. The death rate varied from 7% among transplanted patients to 45% among non-transplanted patients. In the final Cox proportional hazards model, the risk of mortality was associated with increasing age, female sex, having diabetes, living in the North and Northeast region, peritoneal dialysis as a first modality and not having renal transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: There was an increased prevalence of patients on renal therapy in Brazil. Increased risk of death was associated with advanced age, diabetes, the female sex, residents of the North and Northeast region and lack of renal transplant.

Determinantes dos gastos com diálises no sistema único de saúde, Brasil, 2000 a 2004 / Determinants of expenditures on dialysis in the unified national health system, Brazil, 2000 to 2004

The aim of this study was to compare total outpatient expenditures on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis from 2000 to 2004 in patients that began dialysis in 2000 under the Unified National Health System (SUS). A historical cohort was developed, consisting of patients that began dialysis in 2000, identified by probabilistic matching in the database of Authorizations for High-Complexity/High-Cost Procedures (APAC). A multiple linear regression model was used, including individual and clinical attributes and health services supply variables. The cohort included 10,899 patients, 88.5 percent of whom began hemodialysis and 11.5 percent peritoneal dialysis. The dialysis modality explains 12 percent of the variance in expenditures, and patients in peritoneal dialysis showed 20 percent higher mean annual expenditure. The differences in expenditures are explained according to the State of Brazil and health services supply level. Individual risk variables did not alter the model's explanatory power, while age and diabetes mellitus were significant. The study showed the importance of the National Health System's payment mechanism for explaining differences in expenditures on dialysis treatment in Brazil.

O objetivo deste estudo é comparar os gastos ambulatoriais totais entre hemodiálise e diálise peritoneal, de 2000 a 2004, dos pacientes que iniciaram diálise, em 2000, no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Foi desenvolvida coorte histórica de pacientes que iniciaram diálise em 2000, identificados por pareamento probabilístico na base de dados de Autorização de Procedimentos de Alta Complexidade/Custo (APAC). Utilizou-se modelo de regressão linear múltipla incluindo atributos individuais, clínicos e variáveis de oferta de serviços de saúde. A coorte foi constituída por 10.899 pacientes, 88,5 por cento iniciaram em hemodiálise, e 11,5 por cento, em diálise peritoneal. A modalidade explica 12 por cento da variância dos gastos, os pacientes em diálise peritoneal apresentam um gasto médio anual 20 por cento maior. Os diferenciais nos gastos são explicados pelo estado da federação e nível de oferta de serviços de saúde. As variáveis de risco individual não alteram o poder de explicação do modelo, sendo significativos a idade e a presença de diabetes mellitus. Constata-se a importância do sistema de pagamento do SUS para explicar as diferenças de gastos do tratamento dialítico no Brasil.

Perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes em terapia renal substitutiva no Brasil, 2000-2004 / Perfil epidemiológico de los pacientes en terapia renal substitutiva en Brasil, 2000-2004 / Epidemiological profile of patients on renal replacement therapy in Brazil, 2000-2004

OBJETIVO: Descrever o perfil epidemiológico e clínico de pacientes em terapia renal substitutiva, identificando fatores associados ao risco de morte. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, prospectivo não concorrente, a partir de dados de 90.356 pacientes da Base Nacional em Terapias Renais Substitutivas, no Brasil. Foi realizado relacionamento determinístico-probabilístico do Sistema de Autorização de Procedimentos de Alta Complexidade/Custo e do Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade. Foram incluídos todos os pacientes incidentes que iniciaram diálise entre 1/1/2000 e 31/12/2004, acompanhados até a morte ou final de 2004. Idade, sexo, região de residência, doença renal primária, causa do óbito foram analisados. Ajustou-se um modelo de riscos proporcionais para identificar fatores associados ao risco de morte...

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients under renal replacement therapies, identifying risk factors for death. METHODS: This is a non-concurrent cohort study of data for 90,356 patients in the National Renal Replacement Therapies Database. A deterministic-probabilistic linkage was performed using the Authorization System for High Complexity/Cost Procedures and the Mortality Information System databases. All patients who started dialysis between 1/1/2000 and 12/31/2004 were included and followed until death or the end of 2004. Age, sex, region of residence, primary renal disease and causes of death were analyzed. A proportional hazards model was used to identify factors associated with risk of death...

OBJETIVO: Describir el perfil epidemiológico y clínico de pacientes en terapia renal substitutiva, identificando factores asociados al riesgo de muerte. MÉTODOS: Estudio de observación, prospectivo no concurrente, a partir de datos de 90.356 pacientes de la Base Nacional en Terapias Renales Substitutivas, en Brasil. Fue realizado reracionamiento determinístico-probabilístico del Sistema de Información de Mortalidad. Fueron incluidos todos los pacientes incidentes que iniciaron diálisis entre 1/1/2000 y 31/12/2004, acompañados hasta la muerte o final de 2004. Edad, sexo, región de residencia, enfermedad renal primaria, causa del óbito fueron analizados. Se ajustó un modelo de riesgos proporcionales para identificar factores asociados al riesgo de muerte...

Allocation of initial modality for renal replacement therapy in Brazil.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The use of dialysis modalities for ESRD varies around the world. There is no consensus in literature regarding the most appropriate choice of dialysis method. The aim of this study was to analyze the initial modality for ESRD in Brazil and evaluate the factors determining patients' allocation to either hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using national administrative registries of all patients financed by the public system who began renal replacement therapy in 2000 in Brazil. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors associated with the probability of receiving HD or PD at the start of treatment. Independent variables tested were age, sex, presence of diabetes, geographic region of residence, and health care supply indicators. RESULTS: Of 11,563 patients analyzed, 88% started on HD and 12% started on PD. Patients were more likely to be assigned to HD if they were male (odds ratio: 1.44; 95% confidence interval: 1.23 to 1.68) and nondiabetic (odds ratio: 0.71; 95% confidence interval: 0.60 to 0.84). With regard to age, the youngest and the elderly showed lower probability of being in HD. In addition, the state of residence at the start of treatment was very important to explain initial modality allocation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that patient allocation in Brazil is not random. The probability of allocation to HD or PD is highly associated with individual attributes and supply variables.

[Determinants of expenditures on dialysis in the Unified National Health System, Brazil, 2000 to 2004]. / Determinantes dos gastos com diálises no Sistema Único de Saúde, Brasil, 2000 a 2004.

The aim of this study was to compare total outpatient expenditures on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis from 2000 to 2004 in patients that began dialysis in 2000 under the Unified National Health System (SUS). A historical cohort was developed, consisting of patients that began dialysis in 2000, identified by probabilistic matching in the database of Authorizations for High-Complexity/High-Cost Procedures (APAC). A multiple linear regression model was used, including individual and clinical attributes and health services supply variables. The cohort included 10,899 patients, 88.5% of whom began hemodialysis and 11.5% peritoneal dialysis. The dialysis modality explains 12% of the variance in expenditures, and patients in peritoneal dialysis showed 20% higher mean annual expenditure. The differences in expenditures are explained according to the State of Brazil and health services supply level. Individual risk variables did not alter the model's explanatory power, while age and diabetes mellitus were significant. The study showed the importance of the National Health System's payment mechanism for explaining differences in expenditures on dialysis treatment in Brazil.

Potencialidades do uso de bancos de dados para informação em saúde: o caso das Terapias Renais Substitutivas (TRS) - morbidade e mortalidade dos pacientes em TRS / Capabilities of the use of database for information on health: the case of Renal Replacement Therapies (RRT)

A coleta sistematizada de informação de pacientes em terapia substitutiva (TRS)tem sido desafiadora na maioria dos países. Apesar de sua relevância, ainda não há um sistema nacional de registro que forneça anualmente dados epidemiológicos e econômicos confiáveis. No Brasil, as TRS são procedimentos faturados por meio do subsistema APAC (A utorização de Procedimentos de Alta Complexidade) que, embora elaborado parafins administrativos, pode subsidiar informações relevantes no monitoramento da linha decuidado a pacientes portadores de doença renal crônica terminal. Este estudo objetivou a descrição do tratamento das informações contidas na Base Nacional em TRS, discussão de sua potencialidade, apresentando o perfil de morbimortalidade dos pacientes e os seus gastos. Trata-se de base de dados conformada para estudo prospectivo não-concorrente, tendo com o fonte de informação a Base Nacional em TRS, desenvolvida a partir da APACe do Sistem a de Informação de Mortalidade (SIM). Compreendeu pacientes incluídos naBase de 01/01/2000 a 31/12/2004 e com pelo menos três meses consecutivos de registros. Foram acompanhados até a ocorrência de óbito ou censurados por término do estudo. O btiveram -se 141.677 pacientes, sendo 51.321 pertencentes à coorte sobrevivente e 90.356 à incidente, para os quais foram apresentados o perfil, gastos e as taxas de prevalência, incidência e letalidade. Assim , a agregação de sistemas de informação tornou possível obter informaçes de morbimortalidade, oferta de serviços e sobrevida de pacientes em TRS,conform e evolução de seu tratamento, além de análises de sua custo-efetividade.

A judicialização da saúde e a política nacional de assistência farmacêutica no Brasil: gestão da clínica e medicalização da justiça / The judicialization of healthcare and the pharmaceutic care national policy in Brazil: the clinic management and the medicalization of the justice

Ainda são raras as referências de estudos publicados no país que tenham como objeto o fenômeno denominado “judicialização da saúde” (demandas judiciais para acesso a serviços e insumos de saúde). A complexidade do fenômeno, por suscitar a interface entre Judiciário e Executivo, confrontados no desafio constitucional de garantir os direitos dos cidadãos à atenção integral à saúde, repercute no constrangimento dos gestores do sistema de saúde pública, frente aos mecanismos jurídicos que visam a garantir aos pacientes/usuários a assistência médica recomendada. Esse fenômeno apresenta correlação com eventos similares ocorridos em países que possuem sistemas universais de saúde e mesmo naqueles onde há predominância de seguros privados. Percebe-se que os sistemas de saúde, sempre sob contingenciamento orçamentário, são mais ou menos permeáveis às pressões externas de grupos de interesses e à ação das lideranças políticas. Porém, em todos os sistemas, são os profissionais de saúde quem mais influenciam o setor, supostamente sob o imperativo tecnológico da medicalização. Para se investigar tal fenômeno na assistência farmacêutica, como instrumento de garantia do acesso e/ou de incorporação de novas tecnologias ao sistema público de saúde no Brasil, é necessário o desenvolvimento de um marco conceitual. Neste trabalho, a partir de revisão da literatura, são apresentadas as bases conceituais para a discussão da judicialização da saúde no Brasil.

Pesquisa e produção científica em economia da saúde no Brasil / Research and scientific production in health economics in Brazil

Este artigo elabora um diagnóstico sobre a área de economia da saúde (ES) no Brasil, a partir de inquérito enfocando os grupos de pesquisa em ES cadastrados no Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) e de um levantamento da produção científica brasileira em ES, publicado entre janeiro de 1999 e junho de 2004 e disponibilizado na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde Bireme (Paho/WHO). Os dados foram descritos considerando regiões geográficas, tipos de instituições e áreas temáticas de pesquisa. Dos grupos de pesquisa com trabalhos relacionados às áreas temáticas em ES, 48 apresentam ampla diversidade de atuação e concentram-se na região Sudeste do país. Apenas 14 por cento (376) das 2.617 publicações avaliadas se relacionam à ES. A maioria dos estudos foi publicada em 2002 e apresenta como principais temas: gestão, financiamento, eficiência alocativa e eqüidade na distribuição de recursos de saúde. A análise permite identificar aspectos importantes para compreender o desenvolvimento do campo da ES no Brasil, entre 1999 e 2004.

This article presents a diagnosis of the health economics (HE) in Brazil, based on a survey of HE research groups currently registered in the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), as well as an inventory of the Brazilian scientific production in HE, published between January 1999 and June 2004, available in the Bireme Virtual Health Library (Paho/WHO). It describes the data considering geographic regions, types of institution and topics of research. Of the research groups with works related to HE subject matters, 48 have very diversified activities, concentrated in the Southeastern region of the country. Only 14 percent (376) of the 2.617 publications that had been evaluated were related to HE. Most of the studies were published in 2002 and their main topics were management, financing, allocative efficiency and equity in the distribution of health resources. The diagnosis allows the identification of important aspects that help understand the development of the HE field in Brazil between 1999 and 2004.