Photobiomodulation Therapy for Multiple Painful Fixed Drug Eruptions: The First Case Report.

Introduction: Fixed drug eruption (FDE), a very specific adverse drug reaction and one of the most common types of drug eruption, generally resolves spontaneously within 7-10 days upon withdrawal of the causative agent; however, extensive and severe cases may also require systemic drug therapy. The present study aimed to report a case in which a broad spectrum of severe, painful lesions of FDE was managed with photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). Case Report: A 31-year-old Caucasian woman presented with many extremely painful mucocutaneous lesions of FDE which had arisen 8 days before, following a long period of hospitalization. The lesions were not responsive to either corticosteroids or analgesics within 5 days, and then seven daily sessions of PBMT were proposed. Pain alleviation was achieved on the 1st day of PBMT, and the lesions showed an advanced course of healing on the 3rd day. Within 7 days of PBMT, the lesions were almost completely repaired. In a 3-month follow-up period, no relapse of any FDE lesion was reported. Conclusion: PBMT may be a promising strategy for the management of painful lesions of FDE refractory to conventional medication therapy. However, further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Micro-Raman Spectroscopy of Zircon (ZrSiO4) Mineral at Annealing Conditions Usually Applied in Zircon Fission-Track Annealing Dataset.

Raman analyzes were performed on zircon from a syenite located in the Poços de Caldas Complex, Brazil, with a fission-track (FT) zircon age of 81.4±6.8 Ma. Three isochronous heating (1, 10 and 100 hours) of zircon grains were subjected to temperatures between 300 and 750 °C. These temperature and times are usually applied to obtain zircon Fission-Track annealing dataset. For each time-temperature conditions, Raman spectra analyses were accomplished. The results show variations in the intensity and FWHM (full width at half maximum) in the main band (1007 cm-1- Si-O stretching mode), and a singular change in the peaks from 356 to 439 cm-1 (Si-O bending mode); and from 202 to 224 cm-1 (external modes). These changes were interpreted as spectral polarization-dependence related to common crystallinity increases due to the annealing radiation damages and that the thermal treatments do not interfere on the stability of zircon lattice.

Incidence of infectious complications in hip and knee arthroplasties in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the major indications of total hip (THA) or knee (TKA) arthroplasty. International studies have suggested that RA is a risk factor for prosthesis infections. OBJECTIVES: To compare patients with RA and patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of other etiologies with regard to the incidence of prosthesis, incisional, and other systemic postoperative infections in THA and TKA. METHODS: Retrospective, comparative cohort of patients followed up after undergoing THA or TKA at the Hospital SARAH-Brasília, from 1996 to 2007. RESULTS: Seventy-five arthroplasties (28 TKA and 47 THA) were identified in RA patients. As controls, 131 surgeries (56 TKA and 75 THA) in OA patients were randomly selected and stratified by surgery and gender. No significant difference was observed between the RA and OA groups regarding the rates of prosthesis infections (TKA 7.1% vs. 0% and THA 2.1% vs. 0%, respectively, both with P > 0.1), incisional infections (TKA 14.3% vs. 3.3% and THA 4.3 vs. 1.3%, respectively, both with P > 0.1), and systemic infections (TKA 7.1% vs. 3.6%, P = 0.92 and THA 4.3% vs. 10.7%, P > 0.1, respectively). After multiple logistic regression, the results did not change. CONCLUSIONS: RA was not identified as a risk factor for perioperative infections in THA and TKA in this case series of the Hospital SARAH-Brasília, as compared with the group of patients with primary OA or OA secondary to non-inflammatory diseases. The low incidence of infections in both groups may explain our findings.

Incidence of regional pain syndrome after carpal tunnel release. Is there a correlation with the anesthetic technique?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) previously known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy refers to a set of signs and symptoms that include pain, increased sweating, and vasomotor instability. Pain is usually triggered by a noxious stimulus in a peripheral nerve, which is disproportionate to the triggering stimulus. Its development after surgery is not uncommon varying with the type of intervention. An incidence of 2.1 to 5% has been reported after carpal tunnel release (CTR). Sympathetic blockade may prevent the onset of CRPS. However, there is no study validating this technique to prevent CRPS after CTR. The objective of the present study was to define the incidence of CRPS after CTR and its relationship with four anesthetic techniques. METHODS: Patients were randomly distributed to undergo one of the following techniques: general anesthesia, regional intravenous anesthesia with lidocaine, regional intravenous anesthesia with lidocaine and clonidine, or axillary plexus block. Postoperatively, they were followed-up by a nurse who was unaware of the anesthetic technique used, and follow-up was done through electronic patient records for up to 6 months after the anesthesia. During this period signs and symptoms typical of CRPS were investigated and, if positive, treatment was instituted. A descriptive evaluation using the chi-square test was performed. RESULTS: Three-hundred and one patients were investigated. Twenty-five of them developed CRPS, an incidence of 8.3%. Predominance was not observed among the anesthetic techniques used. Other factors such as smoking, profession, and other concomitant diseases were also investigated, and none showed a relationship with the development of post-CTR CRPS. CONCLUSIONS: Complex regional pain syndrome has an incidence of 8.3% after CTR surgery without association with the anesthetic techniques investigated.

Armazenamento de sementes de soja tratadas com fungicida, inseticida e micronutriente e recobertas com polímeros líquido e em pó

The objective of this research was to evaluate the quality of soybean seeds treated and coated with fungicide, insecticide, micronutrients and polymers, during six months of storage. Soybean seeds cultivar 'CD 209' were submitted to the following treatments: control, fungicide Fludioxonil + Metalaxyl - M (Maxim XL® - 100mL 100kg-1 seeds), insecticide Thiametoxan (Cruiser 350 FS® - 200mL 100kg-1 seeds), micronutrient ComoFix® (165mL 100kg-1 seeds - 24,75mL Mo and 2,475mL Co) and the mixture fungicide + insecticide + micronutrient. The same treatments were repeated using the liquid polymer Sepiret 9241 B Green (400mL100kg-1 seed) and also powder polymer Sepiret Flo Branco (0,5kg 100kg-1 seeds) + colorant Corasem blue (50mL100kg-1 seeds). Seed quality was evaluated during 180 days on storage by the germination test and vigor tests (first count germination, accelerated aging, seedling, hypocotyl and root length). Soybean seed coating with polymers and protecting products protect the seeds during the storage while powder polymer reduces soybean's seeds germination and there is interaction between polymer's and products over seed performance after storage.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de sementes de soja tratadas com fungicida, inseticida, micronutrientes e recobertas com polímero líquido e em pó, durante seis meses de armazenamento. Sementes de soja da cultivar 'CD 209' foram submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: testemunha, fungicida Fludioxonil + Metalaxyl - M (Maxim XL® - 100mL100kg-1 de sementes), inseticida Thiametoxan (Cruiser 350FS® - 200mL100kg-1 de sementes), micronutriente ComoFix® (165mL100kg-1 de sementes - 24,75mL Mo e 2,475mL Co) e a mistura fungicida + inseticida + micronutriente. Os mesmos tratamentos foram repetidos utilizando o polímero líquido Sepiret 9241 B Green (400mL 100kg-1 de semente) e também o polímero em pó Sepiret Flo Branco (0,5kg100kg-1 de sementes) + o corante Corasem azul (50mL100kg-1 de sementes). A qualidade das sementes foi avaliada durante 180 dias de armazenamento pelos testes de germinação e vigor (primeira contagem de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, comprimento de plântulas, hipocótilo e raiz). O recobrimento de sementes de soja com polímeros e produtos protetores as protege durante o armazenamento, enquanto o polímero em pó reduz a germinação das sementes e há interação entre polímeros e produtos sobre o desempenho de sementes após 180 dias de armazenamento.

Eficiência do recobrimento de sementes de soja em equipamento com sistema de aspersão

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the treatment and coating of soybean seed using equipment with spray system Grazmec®. The experiment was carried out in the Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The treatments were: 1) control (without equipment), 2) fungicide, 3) amino acid, 4) polymer, 5) fungicide + amino acid, 6) fungicide + insecticide, 7) fungicide + polymer, 8) fungicide + insecticide + polymer, 9) fungicide + amino acid + insecticide, all applied with the equipment. To evaluate the experiment the moisture content determination, field emergence, index of emergency speed, weight of 1000 seeds and intensity of coverage was carried out. The results showed that soybean seed treated and/or coated didn't reach more than 1% with the treatment. The field emergence, index of emergency speed and weight of 1000 seeds weren't affected by treatment and/or coating by spray system. The use of the polymer improves the seed coating when the spray system was used. However the equipment should be regulated when there is change of the product and/or seed to obtain an appropriate coating.

O trabalho tem o objetivo de avaliar o tratamento e o recobrimento de sementes de soja em um equipamento com sistema de aspersão da marca Grazmec Spray System®. O experimento foi realizado na Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel (FAEM) da Universidade Federal de Pelotas, RS, Brasil. Os tratamentos foram: 1) testemunha (sem passagem pelo equipamento), 2) fungicida, 3) aminoácido, 4) polímero, 5) fungicida + aminoácido, 6) fungicida + inseticida, 7) fungicida + polímero, 8) fungicida + inseticida + polímero e 9) fungicida + aminoácido + inseticida, aplicados com o equipamento. Para avaliar o experimento, foram determinados o grau de umidade, emergência em campo, índice de velocidade de emergência, massa de 1000 sementes e intensidade de cobertura das sementes. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, verificou-se que o aumento no grau de umidade das sementes de soja tratadas e/ou recobertas com o equipamento de sistema de aspersão é inferior a 1%. A emergência de plântulas, índice de velocidade de emergência e a massa de 1000 sementes não foram afetados pelo tratamento e/ou recobrimento realizado com o sistema de aspersão. O uso de polímero melhora o recobrimento das sementes no equipamento com sistema de aspersão. Porém, o equipamento deve ser regulado a cada mudança de produto e/ou semente para que o recobrimento seja eficaz.

Armazenamento de sementes de soja tratadas com fungicida, inseticida e micronutriente e recobertas com polímeros líquido e em pó

The objective of this research was to evaluate the quality of soybean seeds treated and coated with fungicide, insecticide, micronutrients and polymers, during six months of storage. Soybean seeds cultivar 'CD 209' were submitted to the following treatments: control, fungicide Fludioxonil + Metalaxyl - M (Maxim XL® - 100mL 100kg-1 seeds), insecticide Thiametoxan (Cruiser 350 FS® - 200mL 100kg-1 seeds), micronutrient ComoFix® (165mL 100kg-1 seeds - 24,75mL Mo and 2,475mL Co) and the mixture fungicide + insecticide + micronutrient. The same treatments were repeated using the liquid polymer Sepiret 9241 B Green (400mL100kg-1 seed) and also powder polymer Sepiret Flo Branco (0,5kg 100kg-1 seeds) + colorant Corasem blue (50mL100kg-1 seeds). Seed quality was evaluated during 180 days on storage by the germination test and vigor tests (first count germination, accelerated aging, seedling, hypocotyl and root length). Soybean seed coating with polymers and protecting products protect the seeds during the storage while powder polymer reduces soybean's seeds germination and there is interaction between polymer's and products over seed performance after storage.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de sementes de soja tratadas com fungicida, inseticida, micronutrientes e recobertas com polímero líquido e em pó, durante seis meses de armazenamento. Sementes de soja da cultivar 'CD 209' foram submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: testemunha, fungicida Fludioxonil + Metalaxyl - M (Maxim XL® - 100mL100kg-1 de sementes), inseticida Thiametoxan (Cruiser 350FS® - 200mL100kg-1 de sementes), micronutriente ComoFix® (165mL100kg-1 de sementes - 24,75mL Mo e 2,475mL Co) e a mistura fungicida + inseticida + micronutriente. Os mesmos tratamentos foram repetidos utilizando o polímero líquido Sepiret 9241 B Green (400mL 100kg-1 de semente) e também o polímero em pó Sepiret Flo Branco (0,5kg100kg-1 de sementes) + o corante Corasem azul (50mL100kg-1 de sementes). A qualidade das sementes foi avaliada durante 180 dias de armazenamento pelos testes de germinação e vigor (primeira contagem de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, comprimento de plântulas, hipocótilo e raiz). O recobrimento de sementes de soja com polímeros e produtos protetores as protege durante o armazenamento, enquanto o polímero em pó reduz a germinação das sementes e há interação entre polímeros e produtos sobre o desempenho de sementes após 180 dias de armazenamento.

Eficiência do recobrimento de sementes de soja em equipamento com sistema de aspersão

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the treatment and coating of soybean seed using equipment with spray system Grazmec®. The experiment was carried out in the Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The treatments were: 1) control (without equipment), 2) fungicide, 3) amino acid, 4) polymer, 5) fungicide + amino acid, 6) fungicide + insecticide, 7) fungicide + polymer, 8) fungicide + insecticide + polymer, 9) fungicide + amino acid + insecticide, all applied with the equipment. To evaluate the experiment the moisture content determination, field emergence, index of emergency speed, weight of 1000 seeds and intensity of coverage was carried out. The results showed that soybean seed treated and/or coated didn't reach more than 1% with the treatment. The field emergence, index of emergency speed and weight of 1000 seeds weren't affected by treatment and/or coating by spray system. The use of the polymer improves the seed coating when the spray system was used. However the equipment should be regulated when there is change of the product and/or seed to obtain an appropriate coating.

O trabalho tem o objetivo de avaliar o tratamento e o recobrimento de sementes de soja em um equipamento com sistema de aspersão da marca Grazmec Spray System®. O experimento foi realizado na Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel (FAEM) da Universidade Federal de Pelotas, RS, Brasil. Os tratamentos foram: 1) testemunha (sem passagem pelo equipamento), 2) fungicida, 3) aminoácido, 4) polímero, 5) fungicida + aminoácido, 6) fungicida + inseticida, 7) fungicida + polímero, 8) fungicida + inseticida + polímero e 9) fungicida + aminoácido + inseticida, aplicados com o equipamento. Para avaliar o experimento, foram determinados o grau de umidade, emergência em campo, índice de velocidade de emergência, massa de 1000 sementes e intensidade de cobertura das sementes. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, verificou-se que o aumento no grau de umidade das sementes de soja tratadas e/ou recobertas com o equipamento de sistema de aspersão é inferior a 1%. A emergência de plântulas, índice de velocidade de emergência e a massa de 1000 sementes não foram afetados pelo tratamento e/ou recobrimento realizado com o sistema de aspersão. O uso de polímero melhora o recobrimento das sementes no equipamento com sistema de aspersão. Porém, o equipamento deve ser regulado a cada mudança de produto e/ou semente para que o recobrimento seja eficaz.

Armazenamento de sementes de soja tratadas com fungicida, inseticida e micronutriente e recobertas com polímeros líquido e em pó

The objective of this research was to evaluate the quality of soybean seeds treated and coated with fungicide, insecticide, micronutrients and polymers, during six months of storage. Soybean seeds cultivar 'CD 209' were submitted to the following treatments: control, fungicide Fludioxonil + Metalaxyl - M (Maxim XL® - 100mL 100kg-1 seeds), insecticide Thiametoxan (Cruiser 350 FS® - 200mL 100kg-1 seeds), micronutrient ComoFix® (165mL 100kg-1 seeds - 24,75mL Mo and 2,475mL Co) and the mixture fungicide + insecticide + micronutrient. The same treatments were repeated using the liquid polymer Sepiret 9241 B Green (400mL100kg-1 seed) and also powder polymer Sepiret Flo Branco (0,5kg 100kg-1 seeds) + colorant Corasem blue (50mL100kg-1 seeds). Seed quality was evaluated during 180 days on storage by the germination test and vigor tests (first count germination, accelerated aging, seedling, hypocotyl and root length). Soybean seed coating with polymers and protecting products protect the seeds during the storage while powder polymer reduces soybean's seeds germination and there is interaction between polymer's and products over seed performance after storage.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de sementes de soja tratadas com fungicida, inseticida, micronutrientes e recobertas com polímero líquido e em pó, durante seis meses de armazenamento. Sementes de soja da cultivar 'CD 209' foram submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: testemunha, fungicida Fludioxonil + Metalaxyl - M (Maxim XL® - 100mL100kg-1 de sementes), inseticida Thiametoxan (Cruiser 350FS® - 200mL100kg-1 de sementes), micronutriente ComoFix® (165mL100kg-1 de sementes - 24,75mL Mo e 2,475mL Co) e a mistura fungicida + inseticida + micronutriente. Os mesmos tratamentos foram repetidos utilizando o polímero líquido Sepiret 9241 B Green (400mL 100kg-1 de semente) e também o polímero em pó Sepiret Flo Branco (0,5kg100kg-1 de sementes) + o corante Corasem azul (50mL100kg-1 de sementes). A qualidade das sementes foi avaliada durante 180 dias de armazenamento pelos testes de germinação e vigor (primeira contagem de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, comprimento de plântulas, hipocótilo e raiz). O recobrimento de sementes de soja com polímeros e produtos protetores as protege durante o armazenamento, enquanto o polímero em pó reduz a germinação das sementes e há interação entre polímeros e produtos sobre o desempenho de sementes após 180 dias de armazenamento.

Eficiência do recobrimento de sementes de soja em equipamento com sistema de aspersão

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the treatment and coating of soybean seed using equipment with spray system Grazmec®. The experiment was carried out in the Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel of the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The treatments were: 1) control (without equipment), 2) fungicide, 3) amino acid, 4) polymer, 5) fungicide + amino acid, 6) fungicide + insecticide, 7) fungicide + polymer, 8) fungicide + insecticide + polymer, 9) fungicide + amino acid + insecticide, all applied with the equipment. To evaluate the experiment the moisture content determination, field emergence, index of emergency speed, weight of 1000 seeds and intensity of coverage was carried out. The results showed that soybean seed treated and/or coated didn't reach more than 1% with the treatment. The field emergence, index of emergency speed and weight of 1000 seeds weren't affected by treatment and/or coating by spray system. The use of the polymer improves the seed coating when the spray system was used. However the equipment should be regulated when there is change of the product and/or seed to obtain an appropriate coating.

O trabalho tem o objetivo de avaliar o tratamento e o recobrimento de sementes de soja em um equipamento com sistema de aspersão da marca Grazmec Spray System®. O experimento foi realizado na Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel (FAEM) da Universidade Federal de Pelotas, RS, Brasil. Os tratamentos foram: 1) testemunha (sem passagem pelo equipamento), 2) fungicida, 3) aminoácido, 4) polímero, 5) fungicida + aminoácido, 6) fungicida + inseticida, 7) fungicida + polímero, 8) fungicida + inseticida + polímero e 9) fungicida + aminoácido + inseticida, aplicados com o equipamento. Para avaliar o experimento, foram determinados o grau de umidade, emergência em campo, índice de velocidade de emergência, massa de 1000 sementes e intensidade de cobertura das sementes. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, verificou-se que o aumento no grau de umidade das sementes de soja tratadas e/ou recobertas com o equipamento de sistema de aspersão é inferior a 1%. A emergência de plântulas, índice de velocidade de emergência e a massa de 1000 sementes não foram afetados pelo tratamento e/ou recobrimento realizado com o sistema de aspersão. O uso de polímero melhora o recobrimento das sementes no equipamento com sistema de aspersão. Porém, o equipamento deve ser regulado a cada mudança de produto e/ou semente para que o recobrimento seja eficaz.

Effect of isolated anticonvulsant drug use and associated to midazolam as pre-anesthetic medication on the Bispectral Index (BIS) in patients with cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with cerebral palsy (CP) frequently receive drugs for the treatment of concomitant diseases, such as seizures. Midazolam is a benzodiazepine with hypnotic action most often used as pre-anesthetic medication and its drug interactions in patients with CP are unknown. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of midazolam as pre-anesthetic drug on the BIS of patients with CP undergoing chronic treatment with anticonvulsant agents. METHOD: Three groups of patients were assessed: CP without anticonvulsant treatment, CP undergoing treatment with anticonvulsant and a group with no disease and no medication use (control group). On the day before the surgery, with the patients conscious and in dorsal decubitus, the BIS monitor was placed and the basal BIS values were recorded. On the following day, 40 minutes before the surgery, the patients received 0.6 mg*kg(-1) of midazolam orally. Before the start of the anesthetic procedure, the same procedure for BIS recording was carried out after midazolam administration. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients were studied - 39 patients from the Control Group (CG) and 68 with a diagnosis of CP. Among these, 17 used anticonvulsant drugs. Regarding the mean BIS value after the midazolam administration, there was no difference between patients from the CG and those in the CP group that did not take anticonvulsant drugs, whereas the ones who took anticonvulsants exhibited a difference (p = 0.003). The possibility of decrease in the BIS after midazolam use increases according to the number of anticonvulsant drugs used by the patient. CONCLUSIONS: The chronic use of anticonvulsants associated to oral midazolam as pre-anesthetic medication can lead to the decrease in the BIS values, which configures deep level of hypnosis.

Efficacy and safety of iodopovidone pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pleurodesis is one of the best methods of controlling malignant pleural effusions (MPE), a distressing complication of metastatic disease. In recent studies of a wide range of pleural diseases, iodopovidone was used as a sclerosing agent for pleurodesis and demonstrated good results with low morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of iodopovidone pleurodesis in MPE. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with MPE who underwent pleurodesis at our institution between 2005 and 2008. All patients underwent instillation of 20 mL of 10% iodopovidone, 80 mL of normal saline and 2 mg/kg of lidocaine through a chest tube, which was clamped for 2 h. The tube was removed when the daily output of fluid was <200 mL. Data on the requirement for additional pleural procedures, adverse events and survival were collected. RESULTS: Sixty-one pleurodesis procedures were performed in 54 patients. No procedure-related mortality was observed. Adverse events occurred after 11 (18%) pleurodesis procedures. The most frequent complication was mild thoracic pain that occurred immediately after 10 (16.4%) procedures, and one patient developed pleural empyema that was treated with drainage and antibiotics. A success rate of 98.4% was observed. Except for the patient who developed pleural empyema, none of the other patients had recurrences of pleural fluid or required additional pleural procedures during the follow-up period (mean of 5.6 months). CONCLUSIONS: Iodopovidone pleurodesis was successful and was associated with only a few minor complications. It appears to be a good option for the management of recurrent MPE.

Computerized procedure for analyzing hand kinematics with a peg-moving task (Sarah-Pegworks).

This article describes Sarah-Pegworks, a computerized procedure for analyzing hand kinematics based on the peg-moving task. The procedure, developed in Visual Basic 6 programming language, includes (1) processing raw data from an infrared motion-tracking system, (2) identifying movement components, and (3) analyzing and presenting hand kinematic information in numerical and graphic outputs. Fifty-five normal adults set the parameters relative to filtering and movement identification. A case was presented to illustrate the clinical value of this procedure.

[Prevalence of dyspepsia and associated sociodemographic factors]. / Prevalência de dispepsia e fatores sociodemográficos.

OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence of dyspepsia and distribution of dyspepsia and frequent dyspepsia in subgroups of adults (20 years and older) according to their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out comprising 3,934 subjects living in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, from October 1999 to January 2000. Data was collected through household interviews. Dyspepsia was defined as epigastric pain or discomfort associated or not with nausea in the previous year, according to Rome I and Rome II criteria. Frequent dyspepsia was defined as more than six dyspepsia episodes in the previous year and/or nausea, at least once a month. These outcomes were analyzed according to age, gender, skin color, educational level, per capita income and marital status. Data analysis was carried out through Pearson Chi-square test for categorical variables and linear trend test, when applicable. RESULTS: The prevalence of dyspepsia was 44.4% and frequent dyspepsia, 27.4%. The prevalences of reflux-like, ulcer-like, dysmotility-like and unspecific dyspepsia subtypes were 19.4%, 6.3%, 13.9%, and 16.6%, respectively. The prevalences of these subtypes of frequent dyspepsia were 14.7%, 4.9%, 11.2% and 6.8%, respectively. Prevalences among women were 50% higher. Low-income young people seemed to be more affected by dyspeptic symptoms. The analysis according to Rome II criteria showed prevalences of 15.9% and 7.5% for dyspepsia and frequent dyspepsia, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Dyspepsia and frequent dyspepsia were prevalent problems in the studied population. Most people could be classified in more than one subgroup of dyspepsia.

[Gastroesophageal reflux disease: prevalence and associated factors]. / Prevalência e fatores associados à doença do refluxo gastroesofágico.

BACKGROUND: O gastroesophageal reflux is a high prevalent disease with prevalence rates ranging from 21 to 56% in different countries. OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiology and the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease among adult population (20 years and old) at the city of Pelotas, southern Brazil. METHODOLOGY: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Household interviews were done between October 1999 and January 2000. Association between gastroesophageal reflux disease and age, sex, skin color, years of formal education, income per capita, marital status, psychological variables (insomnia, stressful psychosocial events in the last year, psychological distress), body mass index, smoking and weekly consumption of alcoholic beverages was assessed through logistic regression. RESULTS: Three thousands and nine-hundred thirty four (3,934) individuals were interviewed. A prevalence of 31,3% (CI 95% 29.9%-32.8%). After allowing for confounding gastroesophageal reflux disease was significantly associated with female sex, living without partner, low level of formal education, insomnia, psychological distress, reported stressful psychosocial events in the last year, obesity and overweight. CONCLUSION: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a high prevalent disease and its main associated factors are sex, anthropometric variables and psychological characteristics.