EGF+61 A>G polymorphism is not associated with lung cancer risk in the Brazilian population.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) play an important role in lung carcinogenesis. A functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in EGF promoter region (EGF+61 A>G-rs4444903) has been associated with cancer susceptibility. Yet, in lung cancer, the EGF+61 A>G role is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of lung cancer associated with EGF+61 A>G SNP in the Brazilian population. For that, 669 lung cancer patients and 1104 controls were analyzed. EGF+61 A>G genotype was assessed by PCR-RFLP and TaqMan genotyping assay. Both patients and controls were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. As expected, uni- and multivariate analyses showed that tobacco consumption and age were significant risk factors for lung cancer. The genotype frequencies in lung cancer patients were 27.3% of AA, 47.4% of AG and 25.3% of GG, and for controls were 25.3% of AA, 51.6% of AG and 23.1% of GG. The allele frequencies were 51.1% of A and 48.9% of G for both cases and controls. No significant differences for the three genotypes (AA, AG and GG-codominant model) were observed between cases and controls. We then grouped AG and GG (recessive model) genotypes, as well as AA and AG (dominant model), and again, no significant differences were also found. This is the largest study to explore EGF+61 A>G polymorphism association with lung cancer risk and suggests that this SNP is not a risk factor for lung cancer in the Brazilian population.

Metabolic syndrome and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease: impact of age and hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To determine correlations between age and metabolic disorders in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study included brief tests for dementia and the Mattis test. Signals of metabolic syndrome were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant effect from the presence of hypertension (OR=2.36 for patients under 65 years old and OR=0.64 for patients over 65), diabetes or hypercholesterolemia regarding occurrences of dementia associated with PD (24% of the patients). The study demonstrated that each year of age increased the estimated risk of dementia in PD patients by 9% (OR=1.09; 95%CI: 1.01-1.17). CONCLUSION: There was no evidence to correlate the presence of metabolic syndrome with the risk of dementia that was associated with PD. The study confirmed that dementia in PD is age dependent and not related to disease duration.

Metabolic syndrome and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease: impact of age and hypertension / Síndrome metabólica e demência associada à doença de Parkinson: impacto da idade e da hipertensão arterial

OBJECTIVE: To determine correlations between age and metabolic disorders in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study included brief tests for dementia and the Mattis test. Signals of metabolic syndrome were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant effect from the presence of hypertension (OR=2.36 for patients under 65 years old and OR=0.64 for patients over 65), diabetes or hypercholesterolemia regarding occurrences of dementia associated with PD (24 percent of the patients). The study demonstrated that each year of age increased the estimated risk of dementia in PD patients by 9 percent (OR=1.09; 95 percentCI: 1.01-1.17). CONCLUSION: There was no evidence to correlate the presence of metabolic syndrome with the risk of dementia that was associated with PD. The study confirmed that dementia in PD is age dependent and not related to disease duration.

OBJETIVO: Determinar correlações entre idade e acometimento metabólico em doentes com Parkinson. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, transversal, incluindo testes breves para demência e teste de Mattis. Foi avaliada presença de síndrome metabólica. RESULTADOS: Não houve efeito significativo da presença de hipertensão arterial (OR=2,36 em pacientes com menos de 65 anos e OR=0,64 em maiores de 65 anos), diabetes e hipercolesterolemia sobre ocorrência de demência associada com a doença de Parkinson (24 por cento dos pacientes). O estudo demonstrou que, a cada ano de idade, o risco estimado para presença de demência em parkinsonianos aumentou em 9 por cento (OR=1,09; IC95 por cento: 1.01-1.17). CONCLUSÃO: Não houve evidências para associar presença de síndrome metabólica com o risco de demência associada à doença de Parkinson. O estudo confirmou que a demência na doença de Parkinson é idade-dependente e não está relacionada ao tempo de duração da doença.

Distinct attitudes of professionals from different medical specialties toward autonomy and legal instruments in the assessment of patients with alzheimer disease / Atitudes distintas de profissionais de diferentes especialidades médicas relacionadas à autonomia e aspectos jurídicos no cuidado de pacientes com demência

The evaluation of competence of Alzheimer disease (AD) patients to assume personal or collective responsibilities and the resulting legal implications is a relevant issue. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of different medical specialists towards the disability of patients with Alzheimer disease and practitioners competence to interfere with decision-making autonomy. Methods: Professionals from different areas (Neurology, Psychiatry, Geriatrics, and General Practice) were interviewed by one of the authors, after being presented a fictitious clinical case which raised several topics, namely: [1] Critical judgment and capacity of the patient to take decisions related to daily activities; [2] The role of family physicians in nominating trustees and caregivers. Results: Answers to the first question did not differ regarding degree of preservation of awareness but at least 25% stressed that the patient must be carefully listened to, independent of caregiver or legal representative opinion. There were significant knowledge gaps in responses to the second question. Half of the physicians interviewed did not have adequate information about the legal aspects of caring for patients with Alzheimer disease. Conclusions: Legal aspects is a topic that must be incorporated into professional training in order to improve attitudes toward the long-term management of patients with dementia.

A avaliação da competência de pacientes com doença de Alzheimer (DA) para assumir responsabilidadespessoais ou coletivas e as implicações legais resultantes constituem um tema relevante. Objetivos: O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as diferentes atitudes de profissionais de diferentes áreas de formação frente à incapacidade de pacientes com doença de Alzheimer e sua competência para interferir com autonomia para tomada de decisões. Métodos: Profissionais das diferentes áreas de atuação (Neurologia, Psiquiatria e Geriatria e Medicina geral) foram entrevistados por um dos autores, depois de serem apresentados a um caso clínico fictício, no qual alguns tópicos foram levantados: [1] Juízo crítico e capacidade do paciente para tomar decisões relacionadas ao seu cotidiano; [2] Papel do médico na escolha e nomeação de cuidadores e tutores. Resultados: A resposta a primeira questão não evidenciou grandes divergências quando ao grau de incapacidade, mas 25% dos entrevistados chamaram atenção para o fato de que os pacientes devem ser ouvidos e avaliados, independentemente da opinião externada pelos cuidadores e representantes legais. Na resposta ao segundo quesito ficou evidente a falta de informações sobre aspectos legais e éticos relacionados aos tutores e cuidadores. Conclusões: Aspectos legais constituem um tópico que deve ser incorporado ao treinamento profissional para aprimorar condutas no tratamento de longo prazo de pacientes com demência.

Distinct attitudes of professionals from different medical specialties toward autonomy and legal instruments in the assessment of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

The evaluation of competence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients to assume personal or collective responsibilities and the resulting legal implications is a relevant issue. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of different medical specialists towards the disability of patients with Alzheimer's disease and practitioners' competence to interfere with decision-making autonomy. METHODS: Professionals from different areas (Neurology, Psychiatry, Geriatrics, and General Practice) were interviewed by one of the authors, after being presented a fictitious clinical case which raised several topics, namely:[1] Critical judgment and capacity of the patient to take decisions related to daily activities;[2] The role of family physicians in nominating trustees and caregivers. RESULTS: Answers to the first question did not differ regarding degree of preservation of awareness but at least 25% stressed that the patient must be carefully listened to, independent of caregiver or legal representative opinion. There were significant knowledge gaps in responses to the second question. Half of the physicians interviewed did not have adequate information about the legal aspects of caring for patients with Alzheimer's disease. CONCLUSIONS: Legal aspects is a topic that must be incorporated into professional training in order to improve attitudes toward the long-term management of patients with dementia.

A avaliação da competência de pacientes com doença de Alzheimer (DA) para assumir responsabilidades pessoais ou coletivas e as implicações legais resultantes constituem um tema relevante. OBJETIVOS: O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as diferentes atitudes de profissionais de diferentes áreas de formação frente à incapacidade de pacientes com doença de Alzheimer e sua competência para interferir com autonomia para tomada de decisões. MÉTODOS: Profissionais das diferentes áreas de atuação (Neurologia, Psiquiatria e Geriatria e Medicina geral) foram entrevistados por um dos autores, depois de serem apresentados a um caso clínico fictício, no qual alguns tópicos foram levantados:[1] Juízo crítico e capacidade do paciente para tomar decisões relacionadas ao seu cotidiano;[2] Papel do médico na escolha e nomeação de cuidadores e tutores. RESULTADOS: A resposta a primeira questão não evidenciou grandes divergências quando ao grau de incapacidade, mas 25% dos entrevistados chamaram atenção para o fato de que os pacientes devem ser ouvidos e avaliados, independentemente da opinião externada pelos cuidadores e representantes legais. Na resposta ao segundo quesito ficou evidente a falta de informações sobre aspectos legais e éticos relacionados aos tutores e cuidadores. CONCLUSÕES: Aspectos legais constituem um tópico que deve ser incorporado ao treinamento profissional para aprimorar condutas no tratamento de longo prazo de pacientes com demência.