[Effectiveness of the CNIC polypill in secondary cardiovascular prevention in the subgroup of patients of the NEPTUNO study using atorvastatin doses of 20 mg]. / Efectividad de la polipíldora CNIC en prevención cardiovascular secundaria en el subgrupo de pacientes del estudio NEPTUNO con dosis de atorvastatina de 20 mg.

Objective: To analyse the incidence and risk of recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), level of risk factor control, treatment persistence and cost of the CNIC polypill version containing acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) 100 mg, atorvastatin 20 mg (A20), and ramipril 2.5, 5.0 or 10 mg in secondary cardiovascular prevention patients. Method: Subanalysis of the observational, retrospective, multicentre, NEPTUNO study in patients treated for two years with the CNIC polypill A20, the same monocomponents as single drugs, equipotent drugs, and other therapies. Results: 922 patients were included in each group. The risk of recurrent MACE was lower among CNIC A20 polypill users than all others (21%, 23% and 26% increased risk among the monocomponents, equipotent or other therapy cohorts, respectively; p < 0.05). The magnitude of the mean change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as the increase in the proportion of patients achieving target goals, was also greater among patients treated with the CNIC A20 polypill than in any of the other cohorts (all p < 0.001). Treatment persistence was significantly higher in patients treated with the CNIC A20 polypill (p < 0.001) and was a less costly strategy than any other therapeutic option. Conclusions: In patients in secondary cardiovascular prevention, the CNIC A20 polypill (ASA 100 mg, atorvastatin 20 mg, and ramipril 2.5, 5.0 or 10 mg) constitutes a valid therapeutic option with similar benefits and outcomes to the version of the polypill with atorvastatin 40 mg.

Objetivo: Analizar la incidencia y el riesgo de eventos adversos cardiovasculares mayores (MACE) recurrentes, el nivel de control de factores de riesgo, la persistencia al tratamiento y el coste de la versión de la polipíldora CNIC que contiene 100 mg de ácido acetilsalicílico (AAS), 20 mg de atorvastatina (A20) y 2.5/5.0 ó 10 mg de ramipril en pacientes en prevención cardiovascular secundaria. Método: Subanálisis del estudio observacional, retrospectivo y multicéntrico NEPTUNO en pacientes tratados durante 2 años con la polipíldora CNIC A20, los mismos monocomponentes por separado, medicamentos equipotentes uotras terapias. Resultados: Se incluyeron 922 pacientes en cada grupo. El riesgo de sufrir un MACE recurrente en el grupode polipíldora CNIC A20 fue menor que en todas las demás cohortes (21%, 23% y 26% de aumento del riesgo en las cohortesde monocomponentes, equipotentes u otras terapias, respectivamente; p < 0.05). La magnitud del cambio en el colesterol unidoa lipoproteínas de baja densidad y la presión arterial, así como el incremento en la proporción de pacientes que alcanzaron losobjetivos establecidos, fueron mayores en los pacientes tratados con la polipíldora CNIC A20 que en cualquiera de las otrascohortes (p < 0.001). La persistencia al tratamiento fue mayor en los pacientes tratados con la polipíldora CNIC A20 (p < 0.001)y esta estrategia resultó ser menos costosa que cualquier otra opción terapéutica. Conclusiones: En pacientes en prevencióncardiovascular secundaria, la polipíldora CNIC A20 (AAS 100 mg; atorvastatina 20 mg; ramipril 2.5/5.0 ó 10 mg) constituye unaopción terapéutica válida con beneficios y resultados similares a la versión de la polipíldora con 40 mg de atorvastatina.

Recursos para prevenção de lesões por pressão: estudo metodológico para elaboração e validação de escala* / Resources for preventing pressure injuries: methodological study to develop and validate a scale* / Recursos para prevenir las lesiones por presión: estudio metodológico para elaboración y validación de escala*

RESUMO: Objetivo: elaborar e validar uma escala para avaliação dos recursos humanos e materiais na perspectiva da prevenção de lesões por pressão nas enfermarias de clínica médica e cirúrgica. Método: estudo metodológico conduzido em três etapas: revisão integrativa; elaboração; e validação mediante técnica Delphi, contando com oito enfermeiros especialistas em dermatologia de diferentes estados do Brasil, no período de novembro de 2018 a janeiro de 2019. Estes avaliaram 32 itens, referentes aos recursos humanos e materiais, nos cenários de pacientes de cuidado intermediário e alta dependência. Para validação, utilizou-se o índice de validade de conteúdo mínimo de 0,80. Resultados: no cenário de cuidado intermediário, todos os itens atingiram 0,77 na primeira fase, e 0,93 na segunda fase. No de alta dependência, atingiram 0,74 na primeira fase, e 0,84 na segunda fase. Conclusão: a escala permitirá avaliação do diagnóstico situacional das enfermarias na perspectiva da prevenção de lesão por pressão.

ABSTRACT Objective: To develop and validate a scale for evaluating human and material resources from the perspective of preventing pressure injuries in medical and surgical wards. Method: Methodological study was conducted in three stages: integrative review, elaboration, and validation using the Delphi technique, with eight nurses specializing in dermatology from different states in Brazil from November 2018 to January 2019. They assessed 32 items relating to human and material resources in intermediate care and high-dependency patients. A minimum content validity index of 0.80 was used for validation. Results: In the intermediate care scenario, all items reached 0.77 in the first phase and 0.93 in the second phase. In high dependency, they reached 0.74 in the first phase and 0.84 in the second phase. Conclusion: The scale will allow the assessment of the situational diagnosis of the wards from the perspective of pressure injury prevention.

RESUMEN Objetivo: desarrollar y validar una escala para evaluar los recursos humanos y materiales desde la perspectiva de la prevención de las lesiones por presión en las salas médicas y quirúrgicas. Método: estudio metodológico realizado en tres etapas: revisión integradora; elaboración; y validación mediante la técnica Delphi, con ocho enfermeros especializadas en dermatología de diferentes estados de Brasil, de noviembre de 2018 a enero de 2019. Estos evaluaron 32 ítems relativos a los recursos humanos y materiales en los escenarios de pacientes de cuidado intermedio y de alta dependencia. Para la validación se utilizó un índice de validez de contenido mínimo de 0,80. Resultados: En el escenario de cuidados intermedios, todos los ítems alcanzaron 0,77 en la primera fase y 0,93 en la segunda. En la alta dependencia, alcanzaron 0,74 en la primera fase y 0,84 en la segunda. Conclusión: La escala permitirá evaluar el diagnóstico situacional de las salas desde la perspectiva de la prevención de las lesiones por presión.

Association of appropriateness for ICU admission with resource use, organ support and long-term survival in critically ill cancer patients.

We aimed to evaluate the characteristics, resource use and outcomes of critically ill patients with cancer according to appropriateness of ICU admission. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with cancer admitted to ICU from January 2017 to December 2018. Patients were classified as appropriate, potentially inappropriate, or inappropriate for ICU admission according to the Society of Critical Care Medicine guidelines. The primary outcome was ICU length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes were one-year, ICU, and hospital mortality, hospital LOS and utilization of ICU organ support. We used logistic regression and competing risk models accounting for relevant confounders in primary outcome analyses. From 6700 admitted patients, 5803 (86.6%) were classified as appropriate, 683 (10.2%) as potentially inappropriate and 214 (3.2%) as inappropriate for ICU admission. Potentially inappropriate and inappropriate ICU admissions had lower likelihood of being discharged from the ICU than patients with appropriate ICU admission (sHR 0.55, 95% CI 0.49-0.61 and sHR 0.65, 95% CI 0.53-0.81, respectively), and were associated with higher 1-year mortality (OR 6.39, 95% CI 5.60-7.29 and OR 11.12, 95% CI 8.33-14.83, respectively). Among patients with appropriate, potentially inappropriate, and inappropriate ICU admissions, ICU mortality was 4.8%, 32.6% and 35.0%, and in-hospital mortality was 12.2%, 71.6% and 81.3%, respectively (p < 0.01). Use of organ support was more common and longer among patients with potentially inappropriate ICU admission. The findings of our study suggest that inappropriateness for ICU admission among patients with cancer was associated with higher resource use in ICU and higher one-year mortality among ICU survivors.

Provisão de recursos de saúde nas regiões intermediárias do Brasil, 2018 / Provision of health resources in the intermediate regions of Brazil, 2018

Resumo Introdução: A pandemia de COVID-19 exigiu a ampliação da capacidade dos serviços de saúde nos estados e municípios do Brasil. Este estudo analisou a distribuição geográfica da provisão de recursos de saúde no país no período que antecede essa crise sanitária. Objetivo: Descrever a provisão de recursos de saúde segundo o índice de desenvolvimento humano (IDH) das 133 regiões geográficas intermediárias do Brasil, em 2018. Método: Dados sobre cobertura populacional da Estratégia Saúde da Família, número de consultas ambulatoriais e hospitalizações, investimento público em saúde, leitos hospitalares, leitos mantidos pelo SUS, leitos de UTI e leitos de UTI mantidos pelo SUS foram obtidos junto ao Ministério da Saúde e IBGE. A associação das variáveis com o IDH das regiões intermediárias foi avaliada pela correlação de Pearson. Resultados: A provisão de recursos de saúde foi mais elevada nas regiões intermediárias do Sul e Sudeste, enquanto as regiões do Centro-Oeste tiveram valores intermediários. O IDH correlacionou positivamente com os recursos em saúde. O inverso ocorreu para a cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família, que foi maior nas regiões Norte e Nordeste. Conclusões: Monitorar geograficamente a provisão de recursos de saúde pode instruir estratégias para reduzir desigualdades no país. Em 2018, as regiões intermediárias estavam desigualmente preparadas para atender às necessidades em saúde de suas populações e refletiam a lei do cuidado inverso. Foi este o cenário de partida para a resposta à pandemia por COVID-19 em 2020.

Abstract Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic required expanding the health services capacity in Brazilian states and municipalities. This study analyzed the geographic distribution of the health resources provision in the country in the period before the pandemic. Objective: This study aimed to describe the availability of health resources in the 133 intermediate geographic regions of Brazil in 2018 according to the human development index (HDI). Method: Data on population coverage of the family health strategy, number of outpatient consults and hospitalizations, public investment in health, total number of hospital beds, beds maintained by SUS, intensive care unit (ICU) beds, and ICU beds maintained by SUS were obtained from the Ministry of Health and IBGE. the association of variables with the HDI of the intermediate regions was assessed using Pearson's correlation. Results: The indices of health resources had higher average values for the South and Southeast regions, whereas the Central West ranked intermediate values. The HDI correlated positively with health resources. The coverage by family health strategy had an inverse distribution and was higher in the North and Northeast regions. Conclusions: Monitoring the health system at the intermediate region level can be a useful strategy to promote access and reduce health inequalities in Brazil. In 2018, the intermediate regions were unevenly prepared to meet their populations' health needs and reflected the inverse care law. This scenario was the starting point for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Characterization of patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis who received care in different highly complex emergency services of Medellín, Colombia

Introduction. Cirrhosis is one of the ten leading causes of death in the Western hemisphere and entails a significant cost of health care. Objective. To describe the sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of patients older than 18 years who received care for acute decompensation of cirrhosis in the emergency services of three highly complex centers in Medellín, Colombia. Materials and methods. This was an observational retrospective cohort study from clinical records. The results were analyzed by frequency measures and represented in tables and graphics. Results. In total, 576 clinical records met the inclusion criteria; 287 were included for analysis, and 58.9% were men, with an average age of 64 (± 13.5) years. The most frequent causes of cirrhosis were alcohol intake (47.7%), cryptogenic or unspecified etiology (29.6%), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (9.1%). The main reasons for visiting the emergency department were the presence of edema and/or ascites (34.1%), suspicion of gastrointestinal bleeding (26.5%), abdominal pain (14.3%) and altered mental status (13.9%). The most frequent clinical manifestations of an acute decompensation of cirrhosis were ascites (45.6%), variceal hemorrhage (25.4%), hepatic encephalopathy (23.0%), and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (5.2%). During their treatment, 56.1% of the patients received intravenous antibiotics; 24.0%, human albumin; 24.0%, vasoactive support, and 27.5%, blood products; 21.3% required management in an intensive or intermediate care unit, registering 53 deceased patients for a mortality of 18.5%. Conclusion. Patients who consult the emergency services due to acute decompensation of cirrhosis demand a high amount of health resources, frequently present associated complications, and a high percentage requires management in critical care units and shows a high in-hospital mortality rate.

Introducción. La cirrosis hace parte de las diez primeras causas de muerte en el hemisferio occidental y acarrea un importante costo en salud. Objetivo. Describir las características sociodemográficas, clínicas y de laboratorio, de los pacientes mayores de 18 años que recibieron atención por descompensación aguda de la cirrosis en los servicios de urgencias de tres centros de alta complejidad en Medellín, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se trata de un estudio observacional de cohorte. Los resultados se analizaron mediante medidas de frecuencia, y se representaron en tablas y gráficas. Resultados. En total, en 576 registros clínicos se cumplieron los criterios de inclusión; se incluyeron 287 para el análisis. El 58,9 % fueron hombres, con edad promedio de 64 (± 13,5) años. Las causas más frecuentes de cirrosis fueron: ingestión de alcohol (47,7 %), criptogénica o inespecífica (29,6 %) y enfermedad por hígado graso no alcohólico (9,1 %). Los principales motivos de consulta fueron: presencia de edemas, ascitis o ambas (34,1 %), sospecha de hemorragia digestiva (26,5 %), dolor abdominal (14,3 %) y alteración del estado mental (13,9 %). Los diagnósticos de complicación aguda más frecuentes fueron ascitis (45,6 %), hemorragia digestiva por várices esofágicas (25,4 %), encefalopatía hepática (23,0 %) y peritonitis bacteriana espontánea (5,2 %). El 56,1 % de los pacientes recibió antibióticos; el 24,0 %, albúmina humana; el 24,0 % medicamentos, y el 27,5 % hemoderivados. En el 21,3 % de los casos, se requirió hospitalización en la unidad de cuidados intensivos o en la de cuidados intermedios. Se registraron 53 decesos, para una mortalidad del 18,5 %. Conclusiones. Los pacientes que consultan a los servicios de urgencias por una descompensación aguda de la cirrosis demandan una gran cantidad de recursos, frecuentemente presentan complicaciones asociadas, requieren manejo en unidades de cuidado crítico y evidencian una alta tasa de mortalidad.

Characterization of patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis who received care in different highly complex emergency services of Medellín, Colombia. / Caracterización de los pacientes con cirrosis agudamente descompensada que consultaron a diferentes servicios de urgencias de alta complejidad en Medellín, Colombia

INTRODUCTION: Cirrhosis is one of the ten leading causes of death in the Western hemisphere and entails a significant cost of health care. OBJECTIVE: To describe the sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of patients older than 18 years who received care for acute decompensation of cirrhosis in the emergency services of three highly complex centers in Medellín, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational retrospective cohort study from clinical records. The results were analyzed by frequency measures and represented in tables and graphics. RESULTS: In total, 576 clinical records met the inclusion criteria; 287 were included for analysis, and 58.9% were men, with an average age of 64 (± 13.5) years. The most frequent causes of cirrhosis were alcohol intake (47.7%), cryptogenic or unspecified etiology (29.6%), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (9.1%). The main reasons for visiting the emergency department were the presence of edema and/or ascites (34.1%), suspicion of gastrointestinal bleeding (26.5%), abdominal pain (14.3%) and altered mental status (13.9%). The most frequent clinical manifestations of an acute decompensation of cirrhosis were ascites (45.6%), variceal hemorrhage (25.4%), hepatic encephalopathy (23.0%), and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (5.2%). During their treatment, 56.1% of the patients received intravenous antibiotics; 24.0%, human albumin; 24.0%, vasoactive support, and 27.5%, blood products; 21.3% required management in an intensive or intermediate care unit, registering 53 deceased patients for a mortality of 18.5%. CONCLUSION: Patients who consult the emergency services due to acute decompensation of cirrhosis demand a high amount of health resources, frequently present associated complications, and a high percentage requires management in critical care units and shows a high in-hospital mortality rate.

Introducción. La cirrosis hace parte de las diez primeras causas de muerte en el hemisferio occidental y acarrea un importante costo en salud. Objetivo. Describir las características sociodemográficas, clínicas y de laboratorio, de los pacientes mayores de 18 años que recibieron atención por descompensación aguda de la cirrosis en los servicios de urgencias de tres centros de alta complejidad en Medellín, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se trata de un estudio observacional de cohorte. Los resultados se analizaron mediante medidas de frecuencia, y se representaron en tablas y gráficas. Resultados. En total, en 576 registros clínicos se cumplieron los criterios de inclusión; se incluyeron 287 para el análisis. El 58,9 % fueron hombres, con edad promedio de 64 (±13,5) años. Las causas más frecuentes de cirrosis fueron: ingestión de alcohol (47,7 %), criptogénica o inespecífica (29,6 %) y enfermedad por hígado graso no alcohólico (9,1 %). Los principales motivos de consulta fueron: presencia de edemas, ascitis o ambas (34,1 %), sospecha de hemorragia digestiva (26,5 %), dolor abdominal (14,3 %) y alteración del estado mental (13,9 %). Los diagnósticos de complicación aguda más frecuentes fueron ascitis (45,6 %), hemorragia digestiva por várices esofágicas (25,4 %), encefalopatía hepática (23,0 %) y peritonitis bacteriana espontánea (5,2 %). El 56,1 % de los pacientes recibió antibióticos; el 24,0 %, albúmina humana; el 24,0 % medicamentos, y el 27,5 % hemoderivados. En el 21,3 % de los casos, se requirió hospitalización en la unidad de cuidados intensivos o en la de cuidados intermedios. Se registraron 53 decesos, para una mortalidad del 18,5 %. Conclusiones. Los pacientes que consultan a los servicios de urgencias por una descompensación aguda de la cirrosis demandan una gran cantidad de recursos, frecuentemente presentan complicaciones asociadas, requieren manejo en unidades de cuidado crítico y evidencian una alta tasa de mortalidad.

Deliberative processes in decision making informed by health technology assessment in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of Health Technology Assessment International's 6th Latin America Policy Form, held in 2021, was to explore the implementation of deliberative processes in the framework of health technology assessment (HTA) and how agencies in the region could involve stakeholders in this process. METHODS: This paper is based on a preparatory survey, a background document, and the deliberative work of participants at the virtual Forum conducted in 2021. There were ninety-one participants in the open session and fifty-two in the closed sessions, representing twelve countries and diverse areas of the health sector. RESULTS: While there are mechanisms in most countries in Latin America to consider stakeholder involvement to some degree, it remains reduced or limited to a consultative role, making true participative involvement rare. There are significant barriers and structural and contextual limitations that have impeded or slowed progress toward deliberative processes. Relatively low levels of institutionalization and knowledge about HTA, as well as the lack of trust among stakeholders are important challenges. This situation has impacted health systems by diminishing the legitimacy of decisions and the very structures and processes of HTA. CONCLUSION: The Forum's broad group of participants identified barriers, facilitators, and recommendations to improve the use of deliberative processes in Latin America to foster improved fairness and reasonableness in HTA and decision making.

Resultados del sistema de puntuación del Concurso Nacional de Ingreso a los Servicios de Salud entre 2016 y 2020 / Scores obtained by physicians in the national health services admission contest between 2016 and 2020

BACKGROUND: Medical specialists are an essential resource for the functioning of the health system and in Chile there is a growing deficit of these specialists. To address this shortage, the government has strategies for training health professionals, such as a national public contest for medical scholarships, named CONISS, which stands out for its high capacity to produce medical specialists. The scoring system of this contest is used for the allocation of training resources to the best candidates. AIM: To describe the results of the CONISS scoring system between 2016 and 2020. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of public registries of physicians participating in the CONISS contest between 2016 and 2020. RESULTS: During the study period 7,373 physicians participated in this contest (49% females). Annual participation increased progressively. The participants graduated from 21 Chilean universities and a variable number from foreign universities. The scores obtained by participants improved by 1.47 points between the first and last year of the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Interpretation of these results is complicated by the characteristics and limitations of the measurements of the CONISS scoring system. This precludes establishing whether this system effectively filters out the best candidates for medical specialization programs.

Desigualdad en mortalidad estratificada según la densidad del recurso humano en 32 países americanos / Inequality in mortality stratified according to human resource density in 32 American countries

RESUMEN Objetivos Medir desigualdades en salud mediante 12 indicadores de mortalidad, utilizando la densidad de recurso humano de profesionales de medicina (PMED) y enfermería (PENF) como estratificador de equidad en 32 países americanos. Métodos A partir de 12 indicadores de mortalidad, estratificados mediante densidad de PMED y PENF, se calculan tasas ponderadas, diferencias, correlación, indicadores simples y complejos de desigualdad. Resultados De 12 indicadores, 9 presentan mayor tasa en baja densidad de ambas profesiones y 7 presentan diferencias significativas. Hay alta variabilidad en brechas relativas (8,7 a 1,2); concentración desigual con afectación de grupos vulnerables; y mayor índice de la pendiente en mortalidad: materna, enfermedades transmisibles y diabetes. Conclusiones La densidad del recurso humano presenta alta variabilidad y concentración, con razón heterogénea entre ambas profesiones. Al estratificar países de baja a alta densidad, se evidencian desigualdades y gradiente social en 9 de 12 indicadores.

ABSTRACT Objectives Measure health inequalities through 12 mortality indicators, using the human resource density of medical professionals (pmed) and nursing (penf), as a stratifier of equity in 32 american countries. Methods From 12 mortality indicators, stratified by density of pmed and penf, weighted rates, differences, correlation, simple and complex inequality indicators are calculated. Results Of 12 indicators, 9 show a higher rate in low density of both professions; 7 show significant differences. there is high variability in relative gaps (8.7 to 1.2); unequal concentration affecting vulnerable groups; and higher index of the slope in mortality: maternal, communicable diseases and diabetes. Conclusions The density of human resources shows high variability and concentration, with a heterogeneous ratio between both professions. When stratifying countries from Low to High density, inequalities and social gradient are evident in 9 of 12 indicators.

[Costs of intravenous vs. subcutaneous administration of trastuzumab in peruvian patients with HER2-positive breast cancer - An observational analysis of direct and indirect costs]. / Costos de la administración intravenosa vs. subcutánea del trastuzumab en pacientes peruanas con cáncer de mama HER2 positivo. Un análisis observacional de los costos directos e indirectos.

ANTECEDENT AND OBJECTIVE: In Peru, the presentation of TZM-IV and TZM-SC is carried out. But there is no comparative cost data by route of administration. The objective of our study was to know the costs of patients with breast cancer, comparing the routes of administration in a regional cancer center in Peru. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 2020, patients who were prescribed TZM treatment were prospectively recorded clinical, demographic and transport data, and medical costs were obtained from medical history and pharmacy records. With these data, the simulation was performed in 100 patients who received 18 cycles of the drug. RESULTS: The main contributor to the cost of the difference was the cost of the drug itself, being S/. 4,711.11 (1,323.35 USD) and S/. 4,680.30 (1,314.69 USD) for TZM-IV and TZM-SC, respectively. The administration costs to treat 100 patients with complete cycles of TZM-IV and TZM-SC were S/. 334,488.53 (93,957.45 USD) and S/.207,455.33 (58,873.97 USD), respectively. Indirect costs indicate that patients lost in total, S/. 1,123.28 (315.53 USD) and S/. 1,148.60 (322.64 USD) in TZM-IV and TZMSC per patient, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of TZM-SC is recommended, in the scenario of a lower cost of the drug and a shorter duration of administration time. Especially in a country with low funding, which only allows subsidizing the direct costs of cancer treatment.

Health expenditures and causa mortis: an investigation on municipalities of the State of Paraná, Brazil / Gastos com saúde e causa mortis: uma investigação dos municípios do Estado do Paraná, Brasil / Gastos en salud y causa mortis: una investigación para los municipios del Estado de Paraná, Brasil

The Brazilian government shares the responsibility of financing public health among federal, state, and municipal levels. Health expenditures are thus uneven across the country and cannot contribute equally to health outcomes across disease categories. This study aims to identify how the health expenditures of municipalities affect the mortality rate in the state of Paraná by causa mortis. We considered years of life lost for each municipality, the chapters of the International Classification of Diseases (10th revision), and the elasticity of this measure in relation to public health expenditure. Considering the possibility of endogeneity, this study follows the instrumental variable approach in a panel of generalized method of moments - instrumental variable (GMM-IV) with fixed effects. Our results show that a 1% increase in health expenditure could decrease the average number of years lost specifically for some causes from 0.176% to 1.56% at the municipal level. These findings could elucidate policy perspective within state finance.

O financiamento da saúde pública é uma responsabilidade compartilhada entre as três esferas governamentais brasileiras, i.e., a federal, estadual e municipal. Logo, gastos divergem pelo território e não se poderia esperar que contribuíssem de forma homogênea para os desfechos de saúde em todos os tipos de doença. Este artigo busca identificar como gastos municipais afetam a taxa de mortalidade no Estado do Paraná dado sua causa mortis. Consideramos anos de vida perdidos para cada município, os capítulos da Classificação Internacional de Doenças (10ª revisão) e estimamos a elasticidade dessa medida em relação aos gastos públicos em saúde. Considerando uma possível endogeneidade, este artigo segue a abordagem variável instrumental em um painel de método generalizado de momentos (GMM-IV) com efeitos fixos. Nossos resultados mostram que um aumento de 1% nos gastos municipais com saúde pode diminuir o número médio de anos perdidos entre 0,176% e 1,56% para algumas causas especificas de mortalidade. Nosso estudo pode lançar alguma luz sobre a perspectiva política das finanças dos estados.

La financiación de la salud pública es una responsabilidad compartida entre las tres esferas del gobierno brasileño, a nivel federal, estatal y municipal. En este sentido, los gastos son desiguales en el territorio, y no se puede esperar que contribuyan de forma homogénea a los resultados de salud en las distintas categorías de enfermedades. La función de este trabajo es identificar cómo los gastos de los municipios afectan a la tasa de mortalidad en el Estado de Paraná, por causa mortis. Se consideraron los años de vida perdidos para cada municipio, los capítulos de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (10ª revisión), y se estimó la elasticidad de esta medida en relación con el gasto sanitario público. Teniendo en cuenta la posibilidad de endogeneidad, este trabajo sigue el enfoque de variables instrumentales en un panel de los método generalizado de momentos (GMM-IV) con efectos fijos. Nuestros resultados muestran que un aumento del 1% en el gasto sanitario puede disminuir el número medio de años perdidos específicamente por algunas causas del 0,176% al 1,56%, a nivel municipal. Esto puede arrojar algo de luz sobre la perspectiva política dentro de las finanzas de los estados.

Social determinants of health and community assets: Their importance for context analysis / Determinantes sociales de la salud y activos comunitarios: importancia para el análisis de contexto

ABSTRACT Public health, from alternative perspectives on the approach to positive health, seeks to overcome the deficit in recognizing the resources possessed by people and their communities as proposed in the Salutogenesis assets model. Therefore, this paper aims to establish the relationship between the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) and community assets. A two-stage sequential transformative mixed methods design, quantitative and qualitative, was used. Family files, mapping techniques, interviews, and participant observation were used as instruments. Older adults, women, and leaders have a history that creates opportunities based on education, work, and potential, developed individually or by coexistence between the same families and in the neighborhood. The SDH and community assets converge in the understanding of the territory as a social, historical, and eco-environmental space. There, the macro-policies are reflected, sometimes isolated from people's perceived, conceived, and lived spaces. In the construction of a healthy life, the main elements are people and their relationships. It is in this context that their talents, skills, and abilities are discovered. The results show a bilateral relationship between community assets and the SDH to understand the health-disease process. While the determinants focus on external conditions, risk, and vulnerability, depending on the disease, the assets do so in a positive health perspective that strengthens the resources of people and their communities. In this sense, they complement each other.

RESUMEN La salud pública, desde miradas alternativas con acercamiento a la salud positiva, busca superar el déficit para reconocer los recursos que tienen las personas y sus comunidades, a partir de la Salutogénesis - Modelo de activos. Así, pues, el escrito establece la relación de los determinantes sociales de la salud (DSS) y los activos comunitarios. Se utilizó un diseño mixto transformativo recurrente con dos fases: cuantitativa y cualitativa. Como instrumentos, las fichas familiares, técnicas cartográficas, la entrevista y la observación participante. Los adultos mayores, mujeres y líderes poseen una historia que crea oportunidades basadas en la educación, el trabajo y sus potencialidades, desarrolladas individualmente o por la convivencia entre las mismas familias y el barrio. Los DSS y los activos comunitarios convergen en la comprensión del territorio, como un espacio social, histórico y ecoambiental. Allí, se reflejan las macro políticas, en ocasiones aisladas de los espacios percibidos, concebidos y vividos de las personas. En la construcción de una vida sana, los principales elementos son las personas y sus relaciones; en ese contexto, se descubren sus talentos, las habilidades y las capacidades. Los resultados evidenciaron relación bilateral entre los activos comunitarios y los DSS, para comprender el proceso salud-enfermedad; mientras los determinantes se centran en condiciones externas, de riesgo y de vulnerabilidad en función de la enfermedad, los activos lo hacen en una mirada de salud positiva, que fortalece los recursos de las personas y sus comunidades. En este sentido, se complementan de manera recíproca.

Identification and selection of health technologies for assessment by agencies in support of reimbursement decisions in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: There is no health system that has the resources to evaluate all technologies. The presence of a clear process to prioritize health technologies for assessment by health technology assessment (HTA) agencies is a good practice principle recognized at the international level. The objective of Health Technology Assessment International's 2020 Latin American Policy Forum (LatamPF) was to explore how to improve the way HTA agencies in Latin America identify and prioritize technologies for assessment. METHODS: This paper is based on a background document, a survey, and the deliberations of the members of the LatamPF (forty-six participants from eleven countries) using a design thinking methodology. RESULTS: Participants agreed that a lack of clear prioritization mechanisms results in HTA processes and decisions that are perceived to be of low transparency and overly exposed to political or interest group pressures. The LatamPF identified barriers and recommended actions to improve HTA prioritization mechanisms in Latin America. The criteria identified as the most important to be taken into consideration by HTA agencies in the region when prioritizing a technology for assessment were: the burden of illness, the potential clinical benefit, the alignment with national health priorities, the potential impact on equity, a lack of treatment alternatives for patients, and the potential economic impact. CONCLUSIONS: Forum participants agreed that the establishment of transparent prioritization processes is a key element for all health systems. Improvements in these processes will strengthen HTA and provide greater legitimacy to decision making.

Costos directos asumidos por pacientes y gastos de bolsillo en ACV isquémico durante el primer año / Direct cost assumed by patients and out-of-pocket expenses of acute ischemic stroke

RESUMEN Objetivo Describir los CD y GB en pacientes con ACV isquémico en Colombia. Materiales y Métodos Se recolectó información de 67 pacientes con diagnóstico de ACV isquémico agudo que ingresaron por el servicio de urgencias o fueron remitidos a dos instituciones de tercer nivel de complejidad durante el año 2017. Se realizaron entrevistas donde se evaluaron CD y GB durante la hospitalización y un año posterior. Resultados 74 % realizaron algún gasto durante la hospitalización, con un costo promedio de 1 619 USD en los pacientes con Rankin-m de 2 o menos. Por otra parte, 56,7% efectuó un gasto posterior al alta, con un costo entre 444 y 5 909 USD por paciente. Conclusión El ACV es una enfermedad de gran impacto tanto en los pacientes, debido a la discapacidad residual, como en las familias, por su alto costo. Los CD y GB en ACV son elevados, lo que podría significar un gasto catastrófico, potencialmente empobrecedor, y representan una barrera para acceder a los servicios. Es importante investigar el gasto catastrófico en pacientes con ACV y abrir el debate sobre financiación de servicios no incluidos en el PBS en poblaciones de escasos recursos.

ABSTRACT Objectives To describe the direct cost and out-of-pocket expenses that stroke survivors face in Colombia. Materials and Methods We collected data from 67 stroke patients, who came to the emergency department or were referred to two institutions during 2017. We applied a questionnaire on which we asked about direct cost and out-of-pocket expenses at the moment of hospitalization and one year after the stroke. Results 74% of patients made payments during hospitalization, the average cost for Ran-kin score 0 to 2 or less was $1,619. On the other hand, 56,7% of patients made payments after hospital discharge, the average cost for patients was between $444 and $5,909. Conclusion Stroke is a disease with a great impact on patients because of their disability and families because of its high cost. Direct cost and out-of-pocket expenses in stroke are high which can mean a catastrophic expenditure even leading to an impoverishing expenditure and a barrier to patients and families. We consider necessary to investigate the catastrophic costs in this population and open up the debate to finance goods excluded from health insurance plans in low-income families.

El criterio del azar vs. la ponderación en la asignación de recursos sanitarios escasos ante emergencias sanitarias / Chance vs. weighting criteria in allocating scarce health resources to health emergencies / O critério da casualidade versus a ponderação na atribuição de recursos sanitários escassos diante de emergências sanitárias

Resumen Cuando suceden eventos como una pandemia, en donde hay que velar por la salud de toda una población, el enfoque se centra en la salud pública. Aunque existen varios criterios con los cuales se pueden tomar estas decisiones, conviene profundizar más sobre la ponderación que va más allá de la simple consideración de factores a primera vista visibles. Se propone la ponderación como mecanismo en lugar del azar ya que, dada la unidad sustancial de la persona y su intrínseca dignidad, su destino no puede quedar sujeto a nada menos que la aplicación del juicio inteligible propio de la razón humana.

Abstract When events such as a pandemic occur, and the entire population's health must be ensured, the focus is on public health. Despite several criteria for decision-making, it is advisable to delve into the weighting beyond the mere consideration of plainly visible factors. We propose weighting as a mechanism instead of chance since, given the person's substantial unity and intrinsic dignity, their destiny cannot be subject to anything less than the exercise of intelligible judgment inherent to human reason.

Resumo Quando ocorrem eventos como uma pandemia, em que se é necessário garantir a saúde de toda uma população, o foco centra-se na saúde pública. Ainda que existam vários critérios com os quais se podem tomar essas decisões, convém aprofundar mais sobre a ponderação que vai além da simples consideração de fatores à primeira vista visíveis. Propõe-se a ponderação como mecanismo em vez da casualidade já que, dada a unidade substancial da pessoa e sua intrínseca dignidade, seu destino não pode ficar sujeito a nada menos que a aplicação do julgamento inteligível próprio da razão humana.

Multicenter Validation of the Neonatal Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score for Prognosis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Infants in the neonatal intensive care unit are at risk of life-threatening organ dysfunction, but few objective tools with utility exist. In a multicenter cohort of 20 152 infants, we show the neonatal sequential organ failure assessment score had good-to-excellent discrimination of mortality across centers, birth weights, and time points after admission.

Patient Navigation to Improve Early Access to Supportive Care for Patients with Advanced Cancer in Resource-Limited Settings: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The early integration of supportive care in oncology improves patient-centered outcomes. However, data are lacking regarding how to achieve this in resource-limited settings. We studied whether patient navigation increased access to multidisciplinary supportive care among Mexican patients with advanced cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted between August 2017 and April 2018 at a public hospital in Mexico City. Patients aged ≥18 years with metastatic tumors ≤6 weeks from diagnosis were randomized (1:1) to a patient navigation intervention or usual care. Patients randomized to patient navigation received personalized supportive care from a navigator and a multidisciplinary team. Patients randomized to usual care obtained supportive care referrals from treating oncologists. The primary outcome was the implementation of supportive care interventions at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included advance directive completion, supportive care needs, and quality of life. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-four patients were randomized: 67 to patient navigation and 67 to usual care. Supportive care interventions were provided to 74% of patients in the patient navigation arm versus 24% in usual care (difference 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34-0.62; p < .0001). In the patient navigation arm, 48% of eligible patients completed advance directives, compared with 0% in usual care (p < .0001). At 12 weeks, patients randomized to patient navigation had less moderate/severe pain (10% vs. 33%; difference 0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.38; p = .006), without differences in quality of life between arms. CONCLUSION: Patient navigation improves access to early supportive care, advance care planning, and pain for patients with advanced cancer in resource-limited settings. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The early implementation of supportive care in oncology is recommended by international guidelines, but this might be difficult to achieve in resource-limited settings. This randomized clinical trial including 134 Mexican patients with advanced cancer demonstrates that a multidisciplinary patient navigation intervention can improve the early access to supportive and palliative care interventions, increase advance care planning, and reduce symptoms compared with usual oncologist-guided care alone. These results demonstrate that patient navigation represents a potentially useful solution to achieve the adequate implementation of supportive and palliative care in resource-limited settings globally.

Patient absenteeism in outpatient consultations: an integrative literature review / O absenteísmo dos pacientes em consultas ambulatoriais: revisão integrativa da literatura / O absenteísmo dos pacientes em consultas ambulatoriais: revisão integrativa da literatura / El absentismo de los pacientes en citas médicas ambulatorias: revisión integrativa de la literatura

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify and analyze the production of knowledge in national and international literature on patient absenteeism in scheduled medical consultations. Method: This is an integrative literature review in the databases PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Medline, LILACS, Virtual Health Library of the São Paulo State Department of Health and Spanish Bibliographic Index in Health Sciences, accessed through the Virtual Health Library Portal, based on the guiding question. Results: A total of 767 articles was found and nine were selected. Forgetfulness predominated among the reasons for absence. Other findings regarding the cost to the health service and strategies for solving the problem are highlighted. Conclusion: As the focus of the studies, the concern with the quality of care, increased treatment queues and high demand, as well as the cost of absent patients, are evident. Despite the relevance of the theme for the health services organization, the literature is still scarce.

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar y analizar la producción de conocimiento en la literatura nacional e internacional sobre el absentismo de los pacientes en las citas médicas programadas. Método: Revisión Integrativa de la literatura en las bases de datos PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Medline, LILACS, Biblioteca Virtual en Salud de la Secretaría de la Salud de la provincia de São Paulo e Índice Bibliográfico Español en Ciencias de la Salud, accedidas por la Portada de la Biblioteca Virtual de Salud, basada en la cuestión norteadora. Resultados: Fueron encontrados 767 artículos y seleccionados nueve. El olvido predominó entre los motivos de ausencia. Otros hallazgos en relación al costo para el servicio de salud y estrategias para resolución del problema son destacados. Conclusión: Se evidencian, como enfoque de los estudios, la preocupación con la calidad del atendimiento, aumento de las colas y alta demanda, además del costo de los pacientes ausentes. A pesar de la relevancia del tema para organización de los servicios de salud, la literatura todavía es escasa.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar e analisar a produção de conhecimento na literatura nacional e internacional sobre o absenteísmo dos pacientes nas consultas médicas agendadas. Método: Revisão Integrativa da literatura nas bases de dados PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Medline, LILACS, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo e Índice Bibliográfico Espanhol em Ciências da Saúde, acessadas pelo Portal da Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde, com base na questão norteadora. Resultados: Foram encontrados 767 artigos e selecionados nove. O esquecimento predominou entre os motivos de ausência. Outros achados em relação ao custo para o serviço de saúde e estratégias para resolução do problema são apontados. Conclusão: Evidenciam-se, como focos dos estudos, a preocupação com a qualidade do atendimento, aumento das filas e alta demanda, bem como o custo dos pacientes ausentes. Apesar da relevância do tema para organização dos serviços de saúde, a literatura ainda é escassa.

Impact of intensive care unit admission during handover on mortality: propensity matched cohort study / Impacto na mortalidade da admissão de pacientes em unidade de terapia intensiva durante a passagem de plantão: estudo de coorte utilizando escore de propensão

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the impact of intensive care unit admission during medical handover on mortality. Methods: Post-hoc analysis of data extracted from a prior study aimed at addressing the impacts of intensive care unit readmission on clinical outcomes. This retrospective, single-center, propensity-matched cohort study was conducted in a 41-bed general open-model intensive care unit. Patients were assigned to one of two cohorts according to time of intensive care unit admission: Handover Group (intensive care unit admission between 6:30 am and 7:30 am or 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm) or Control Group (intensive care unit admission between 7:31 am and 6:29 pm or 7:31 pm and 6:29 am). Patients in the Handover Group were propensity-matched to patients in the Control Group at a 1:2 ratio. Results: A total of 6,650 adult patients were admitted to the intensive care unit between June 1st 2013 and May 31st 2015. Following exclusion of non-eligible participants, 5,779 patients (389; 6.7% and 5,390; 93.3%, Handover and Control Group) were deemed eligible for propensity score matching. Of these, 1,166 were successfully matched (389; 33.4% and 777; 66.6%, Handover and Control Group). Following propensity-score matching, intensive care unit admission during handover was not associated with increased risk of intensive care unit (OR: 1.40; 95%CI: 0.92-2.11; p=0.113) or in-hospital (OR: 1.23; 95%CI: 0.85-1.75; p=0.265) mortality. Conclusion: Intensive care unit admission during medical handover did not affect in-hospital mortality in this propensity-matched, single-center cohort study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto na mortalidade da admissão em unidade de terapia intensiva durante passagem de plantão médico. Métodos: Análise post-hoc de estudo original publicado previamente, com o objetivo de avaliar os impactos da readmissão em unidade de terapia intensiva nos desfechos clínicos. Este estudo de coorte retrospectivo, em centro único, com pareamento por escore de propensão, foi conduzido em uma unidade de terapia intensiva geral, aberta, com 41 leitos. Com base no tempo de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva, os pacientes foram categorizados em duas coortes: Grupo Passagem de Plantão (admissão entre 6h30 e 7h30 ou 18h30 e 19h30) ou Grupo Controle (internação entre 7h31 e 18h29 ou 19h31 e 6h29). Pacientes no Grupo Passagem de Plantão foram pareados com Grupo Controle na proporção de 1:2. Resultados: Entre 1° de junho de 2013 e 31 de maio de 2015, 6.650 pacientes adultos foram admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva. Após a exclusão de participantes inelegíveis, 5.779 pacientes (389; 6,7% no Grupo de Admissão na Passagem de Plantão e 5.390; 93,3% no Grupo de Controle) foram elegíveis para pareamento por escore de propensão, dos quais 1.166 foram pareados com sucesso (389; 33,4% no Grupo Passagem de Plantão e 777; 66,6% no Grupo Controle). Após pareamento, admissão na unidade de terapia intensiva durante a passagem plantão não foi associada ao aumento da chance de óbito na unidade de terapia intensiva (RC: 1,40; IC95%: 0,92-2,11; p=0,113) ou no hospital (RC: 1,23; IC95%: 0,85-1,75; p=0,265). Conclusão: Internação em unidade de terapia intensiva durante passagem de plantão médico não impactou na mortalidade hospitalar.