[Efficacy and safety of diltiazem in the treatment of arterial hypertension in the elderly]. / Eficácia e segurança do Diltiazem no tratamento da hipertensão arterial no idoso.

A multicentric, non-comparative study was made to evaluate the efficacy and safety of diltiazem 180 mg in the elderly, with dose titration in subjects above the age of 60 years. The blood pressure measurements were done by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). We achieved a reduction of at least 10 mmHg in systolic blood pressure in 52.2% and in diastolic blood pressure in 42.5% of the patients. The estimated differences between the initial values and those after treatment are 30% (CI95%: 22-38%) for diurnal blood pressure load, 22% (CI95%: 14-29%) for nocturnal blood pressure load, 13 mmHg (CI95%: 10-16 mmHg) for median systolic BP, and 8 mmHg (CI95%: 6-10 mmHg) for median diastolic BP. In 62.5% of the subjects the daily dose of diltiazem was increased to 240 mg (180 mg in the morning and 60 mg at night). All the cardiovascular parameters evaluated showed a significant decrease at the end of the study. A significant change was not recorded in the laboratory parameters and the adverse event average was minimal. The results showed that diltiazem in monotherapy is effective in the control of hypertension in the elderly and can improve compliance to the treatment.

[Evaluation by HIV/AIDS specialists of risk of HIV infection in university students, based on different sex practices]. / Avaliação dos riscos da infecção pelo HIV segundo diferentes práticas sexuais na perspectiva de estudantes universitários e especialistas em HIV/AIDS.

To detect the beliefs concerning the risk levels related to several sexual practices/habits and the HIV infection among undergraduate students and to compare their opinion with the AIDS experts were the objectives of this study. A 25-item questionnaire (Likert Probability Scale) about sexual practices/habits were answered by undergraduate students enrolled in the courses of nursing, medical school, pharmacy-biochemistry, psychology. Based on Factorial analysis and by using the Varimax Rotation System, 25 patients were distributed in 7 factors, and 5 patients were excluded. From the 20 patients, 5 were reunited in 2 factors and studied in this paper. Factor X reunited the patients 1 (vaginal intercourse with condom) and 2 (anal sex with condom). In factor Y the patients included were: 3 (heterosexual intercourse), 4 (vaginal intercourse without condom) and 5 (anal intercourse without condom). In 80% of the 5 patients, it was observed that the students have knowledge similar to the experts"s evidences But, continuing education is necessary to these people, as human beings and as future health care givers to the HIV infected/AIDS patients.

Vitamin status of healthy subjects in Burgundy (France).

A nutrition survey was conducted in Burgundy (France) with a population sample of 337 middle-aged and healthy subjects (157 males and 180 females) recruited at a health examination center in 1985-1986. The status of beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, vitamin B6, B12, C, A, D, and E was assessed by means of 7-day food records and biochemical studies. Results were compared with two other recent nutritional surveys conducted in France: ESVITAF (control group only) and Val de Marne surveys. The dietary information collected for each subject was compared to the 1992 French Recommended Dietary Allowances (FRDA). Dietary vitamin intakes were higher in males than in females. Low vitamin intakes (< 1/2 FRDA) were found in 5% of males and 7% of females for thiamin, in 11% of males and 28% of females for vitamin B6, in 6% of males and 3% of females for vitamin C, in 87% of males and 91% of females for vitamin D, and in 8% of males and 13% of females for vitamin E. No subject had a vitamin intake < 1/2 FRDA for riboflavin, folate, vitamins A and B12. ESVITAF and Val de Marne studies also show low vitamin intakes for vitamin B6, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamins D and E. Biochemical status was examined using erythrocyte enzyme function and blood vitamin levels. The percent of subjects with deficient biochemical values was high for vitamin B6 (15% of all males and 20% of all females), and vitamin D (13% of all males, and 15% of all females). With regard to thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and vitamin E, < 5% of subjects had values in the range of major vitamin deficiency. However, in both genders, except for vitamin C and vitamin A (only for females), low values corresponding to a moderate risk of vitamin deficiency was high for most vitamins. The incidence of a severe deficient vitamin status for thiamin and riboflavin was higher in Val de Marne than in Burgundy, or ESVITAF. In Val de Marne, the probability of a moderate risk of vitamin deficiency was high for thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin A and vitamin E. Our results (as other studies performed in France and in other industrialized countries) raise the issue of the health significance of marginally deficient vitamin status.