Two in ten patients seeking addiction treatment within São Paulo's Crackland report recent use of Synthetic Cannabinoids.

The profile investigation of crack cocaine dependents seeking addiction treatment within Sao Paulo's open drug use scene known as "Crackland" demonstrated that 20% of them reported consuming variations of Synthetic Cannabinoids. This equated to 1.054 patients in a span of four months (between 08/05/2023 to 08/09/2023). This preliminary finding is well-timed and holds significant value making it suitable for a briefer publication format, such as a letter, that can promptly disseminate this relevant information to the scientific community. Additional and complementary evidence expanding the discussion beyond the medical aspects of SC consumption is also provided. This figure is a clear indication of the shift in the population accessing this drug, now reaching the most vulnerable segment of our nation's population. The letter brings on further insights with a more social perspective, also discussing the intricate interplay between affordability, availability price and how criminal organizations are likely involved now with SC's control and distribution in Brazil.

Ensino em psiquiatria cultural: rumo a uma atitude decolonial / Teaching in cultural psychiatry: towards a decolonial attitude

Resumo: Introdução: O presente ensaio é baseado na experiência de ensino do Programa de Psiquiatria Social e Cultural da Universidade de São Paulo (ProSol)e em fundamentações teóricas do campo da psiquiatria cultural. Desenvolvimento: Neste ensaio, destaca-se a importância do ensino em psiquiatria cultural para a formação de residentes na psiquiatria. A psiquiatria brasileira, ao longo de sua história, ficou marcada pela absorção dos conhecimentos advindos dos países desenvolvidos com pouca preocupação com a realidade brasileira. O ensino dos aspectos culturais, dentro da psiquiatria, possibilita reativar a importância da realidade e especificidade brasileiras para o ensino dos residentes. Conclusão: A tese central deste ensaio é que o ensino de psiquiatria cultural é uma forma de decolonização do ensino, na medida em que torna os psiquiatras mais aptos para enfrentar os vários cenários clínicos de um país diverso e cheio de contradições como o Brasil.

Abstract: Introduction: This essay is based on the teaching experience of theTranscultural Psychiatry Program at the University of São Paulo (ProSol,Programa de Psiquiatria Transcultural da Universidade de São Paulo) and on theoretical foundations in the field of cultural psychiatry. Objective: To highlight the importance of teaching cultural psychiatry for the training of psychiatry residents. Results: Brazilian psychiatry, throughout its history, was marked by the incorporation of knowledge from developed countries with little concern for the Brazilian reality. The teaching of cultural aspects, in the psychiatric field, makes it possible to reactivate the importance of Brazilian reality and specificity for the teaching of residents. Conclusion: The central thesis of this essay is that the teaching of cultural psychiatry is a form of decolonization of teaching, insofar as it makes psychiatrists more apt to face the different clinical scenarios in a diverse country full of contradictions such as Brazil.

Analysis of cancer perception by elderly people.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perception of elderly population about cancer, correlating it with the clinical variables sex, age and past history of cancer. METHODS: The sample was composed of 300 individuals, 174 (58%) women. A questionnaire containing ten questions and based on the Health Information National Trends Survey was used. For statistical analysis, a p value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Individuals aged 80 years and older were more likely to believe that regular tests can identify cancer in early stages, compared to elderly aged under 80 years (OR: 0.103; CI95%: 0.021-0.499; p=0.005). Elderly subjects with positive history of cancer were more likely to believe that few people survive cancer, compared to those who never had the disease (OR: 0.379; CI95%: 0.167-0.858; p=0.02). All patients with a positive history of cancer believed that early-detected cancer can be cured. CONCLUSION: Aged individuals with ≥80 years or older believed in regular exams as a form of early detection of cancer, probably due to the greater frequency of medical instructions. Subjects who had cancer believed that few people survive the disease, perhaps because of the negative experiences they have experienced. Considering the greater presence of fatalistic perceptions, this group constitutes a potential target for educational approaches about cancer.

Analysis of cancer perception by elderly people / Análise da percepção do câncer por idosos

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the perception of elderly population about cancer, correlating it with the clinical variables sex, age and past history of cancer. Methods The sample was composed of 300 individuals, 174 (58%) women. A questionnaire containing ten questions and based on the Health Information National Trends Survey was used. For statistical analysis, a p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results Individuals aged 80 years and older were more likely to believe that regular tests can identify cancer in early stages, compared to elderly aged under 80 years (OR: 0.103; CI95%: 0.021-0.499; p=0.005). Elderly subjects with positive history of cancer were more likely to believe that few people survive cancer, compared to those who never had the disease (OR: 0.379; CI95%: 0.167-0.858; p=0.02). All patients with a positive history of cancer believed that early-detected cancer can be cured. Conclusion Aged individuals with ≥80 years or older believed in regular exams as a form of early detection of cancer, probably due to the greater frequency of medical instructions. Subjects who had cancer believed that few people survive the disease, perhaps because of the negative experiences they have experienced. Considering the greater presence of fatalistic perceptions, this group constitutes a potential target for educational approaches about cancer.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar a percepção do câncer pela população idosa, correlacionando os dados obtidos com as variáveis clínicas de sexo, idade e histórico pessoal de câncer. Métodos A amostra foi composta por 300 idosos, sendo 174 (58%) do sexo feminino. Foi aplicado um questionário de dez questões baseado no Health Information National Trends Survey, com questões relacionadas à percepção do câncer. Para a análise estatística, o valor de p<0,05 foi considerado significativo. Resultados Indivíduos com idade acima de 80 anos demonstram chance maior de acreditar que os exames regulares podem identificar o câncer em estágios iniciais, se comparados aos idosos com menos idade (OR: 0,103; IC95%: 0,021-0,499; p=0,005). Os idosos que tiveram câncer exibiram chances maiores de acreditar que poucas pessoas sobrevivem ao câncer, em relação àquelas que nunca tiveram a doença (OR: 0,379; IC95%: 0,167-0,858; p=0,02). Todos os pacientes com histórico positivo de câncer revelaram acreditar que o câncer detectado cedo pode ser curado. Conclusão Idosos com ≥80 anos acreditam nos exames regulares como forma de descobrir a doença no início, provavelmente pela maior frequência de orientações médicas. Indivíduos que tiveram câncer acreditam que poucas pessoas sobrevivem à doença, talvez pelas experiências negativas que vivenciaram. Por exibir mais chances de percepções fatalistas, este grupo se configura como alvo em potencial para abordagens educativas acerca do câncer.

Mortality from Cardiovascular Diseases in the Elderly: Comparative Analysis of Two Five-year Periods.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Brazil. The better understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution of mortality from cardiovascular diseases in the Brazilian elderly population is essential to support more appropriate health actions for each region of the country. OBJECTIVE: To describe and to compare geospatially the rates of mortality from cardiovascular disease in elderly individuals living in Brazil by gender in two 5-year periods: 1996 to 2000 and 2006 to 2010. METHODS: This is an ecological study, for which rates of mortality were obtained from DATASUS and the population rates from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística). An average mortality rate for cardiovascular disease in elderly by gender was calculated for each period. The spatial autocorrelation was evaluated by TerraView 4.2.0 through global Moran index and the formation of clusters by the index of local Moran-LISA. RESULTS: There was an increase, in the second 5-year period, in the mortality rates in the Northeast and North regions, parallel to a decrease in the South, South-East and Midwest regions. Moreover, there was the formation of clusters with high mortality rates in the second period in Roraima among females, and in Ceará, Pernambuco and Roraima among males. CONCLUSION: The increase in mortality rates in the North and Northeast regions is probably related to the changing profile of mortality and improvement in the quality of information, a result of the increase in surveillance and health care measures in these regions.

Mortality from Cardiovascular Diseases in the Elderly: Comparative Analysis of Two Five-year Periods / Mortalidade em Idosos por Doenças Cardiovasculares: Análise Comparativa de Dois Quinquênios

Background:Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Brazil. The better understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution of mortality from cardiovascular diseases in the Brazilian elderly population is essential to support more appropriate health actions for each region of the country.Objective:To describe and to compare geospatially the rates of mortality from cardiovascular disease in elderly individuals living in Brazil by gender in two 5-year periods: 1996 to 2000 and 2006 to 2010.Methods:This is an ecological study, for which rates of mortality were obtained from DATASUS and the population rates from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística). An average mortality rate for cardiovascular disease in elderly by gender was calculated for each period. The spatial autocorrelation was evaluated by TerraView 4.2.0 through global Moran index and the formation of clusters by the index of local Moran-LISA.Results:There was an increase, in the second 5-year period, in the mortality rates in the Northeast and North regions, parallel to a decrease in the South, South-East and Midwest regions. Moreover, there was the formation of clusters with high mortality rates in the second period in Roraima among females, and in Ceará, Pernambuco and Roraima among males.Conclusion:The increase in mortality rates in the North and Northeast regions is probably related to the changing profile of mortality and improvement in the quality of information, a result of the increase in surveillance and health care measures in these regions.

Fundamento:As doenças cardiovasculares constituem a primeira causa de morte no Brasil. A melhor compreensão da distribuição espacial e temporal das taxas de mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares na população idosa brasileira é fundamental para embasar ações em saúde mais direcionadas para cada região do país.Objetivo:Descrever e comparar geoespacialmente as taxas de mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares nos idosos residentes no Brasil, por sexo, nos quinquênios de 1996 a 2000 e de 2006 a 2010.Métodos:Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, para o qual os dados sobre mortalidade foram obtidos do DATASUS e os populacionais, do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. A taxa média de mortalidade para doenças cardiovasculares nos idosos, para cada sexo, foi calculada em cada período. A autocorrelação espacial dessa variável foi avaliada pelo TerraView 4.2.0 por meio do índice global de Moran e a formação de aglomerados (clusters), pelo índice local de Moran-LISA.Resultados:Observou-se, no segundo quinquênio, um aumento da taxa de mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares nas Regiões Norte e Nordeste, concomitantemente à sua diminuição no Sul, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste. Também houve formação de aglomerados com altas taxas de mortalidade no segundo quinquênio em Roraima, para o sexo feminino, e no Ceará, Pernambuco e Roraima, para o sexo masculino.Conclusão:A elevação das taxas de mortalidade para o Norte e Nordeste possivelmente esteve relacionada à mudança do perfil de mortalidade e melhoria na qualidade da informação, resultado do incremento das ações de vigilância e assistência à saúde nessas regiões.