Seasonality of the incidence of bronchiolitis in infants — Brazil, 2016-2022: An interrupted time-series analysis / Sazonalidade da incidência de bronquiolite em lactentes — Brasil, 2016-2022: Uma análise de série temporal interrompida

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the seasonality of acute bronchiolitis in Brazil during the 2020-2022 season and compare it with the previous seasons. Methods: Data from the incidence of hospitalizations due to acute bronchiolitis in infants <1 year of age were obtained from the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Public Health database for the period between 2016 and 2022. These data were also analyzed by macro-regions of Brazil (North, Northeast, Southeast, South, and Midwest). To describe seasonal and trend characteristics over time, we used the Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Averages Model. Results: Compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, the incidence of hospitalizations related to acute bronchiolitis decreased by 97% during non-pharmacological interventions (March 2020 - August 2021) but increased by 95% after non-pharmacological interventions relaxation (September 2021 - December 2022), resulting in a 16% overall increase. During the pre-COVID-19 period, hospitalizations for acute bronchiolitis followed a seasonal pattern, which was disrupted in 2020-2021 but recovered in 2022, with a peak occurring in May, approximately 4% higher than the pre-COVID-19 peak. Conclusions: This study underscores the significant influence of COVID-19 interventions on acute bronchiolitis hospitalizations in Brazil. The restoration of a seasonal pattern in 2022 highlights the interplay between public health measures and respiratory illness dynamics in young children.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a sazonalidade da bronquiolite aguda no Brasil durante a temporada 2020-2022 e compará-la com a das temporadas anteriores. Métodos: Os dados de incidência de internações por bronquiolite aguda em lactentes <1 ano de idade foram obtidos do Departamento de Informática da base de dados da Saúde Pública Brasileira para o período entre 2016 e 2022. Esses dados também foram analisados por macrorregiões do Brasil (Norte, Nordeste, Sudeste, Sul e Centro-Oeste). Para descrever características sazonais e de tendência ao longo do tempo, utilizamos o Modelo de Médias Móveis Integradas Autorregressivas Sazonais. Resultados: Em comparação com o período pré-COVID-19, a incidência de hospitalizações relacionadas com bronquiolite aguda diminuiu 97% durante as intervenções não farmacológicas (março de 2020 - agosto de 2021), mas aumentou 95% após a flexibilização das intervenções não farmacológicas (setembro de 2021 - dezembro de 2022), resultando no aumento geral de 16%. Durante o período pré-COVID-19, as hospitalizações por bronquiolite aguda seguiram um padrão sazonal, que foi interrompido em 2020-2021, mas recuperaram-se em 2022, com um pico ocorrido em maio, aproximadamente 4% superior ao pico pré-COVID-19. Conclusões: Este estudo ressalta a influência significativa das intervenções contra a COVID-19 nas hospitalizações por bronquiolite aguda no Brasil. A restauração de um padrão sazonal em 2022 sublinha a interação entre as medidas de saúde pública e a dinâmica das doenças respiratórias em crianças pequenas.

Tendência temporal, distribuição regional e perfil da morbimortalidade por queimadura na infância em Santa Catarina: Um estudo ecológico / Temporal trend, regional distribution and profile of morbidity and mortality due to childhood burns in Santa Catarina: An ecological study

Introdução: As queimaduras são um desafio da saúde pública devido à alta morbimortalidade e prejuízo na qualidade de vida da vítima. Elas afetam desproporcionalmente as populações de menor nível socioeconômico, resultando em elevados custos para saúde. Método: Estudo ecológico, retrospectivo, observacional, com abordagem quantitativa e análise de tendência temporal da morbimortalidade por queimadura em Santa Catarina, com dados obtidos dos Sistemas de Informações Hospitalar e de mortalidade disponibilizados pelo Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde. Análise temporal pelo Teste de Correlação de Spearman. Resultados: Verificada tendência de crescimento na taxa geral de internação (Spearman=0,806; p<0,005) por queimaduras no estado no período analisado. Maior prevalência no sexo masculino (RP 1,68), na população de 0 a 4 anos (RP 3,08) e na região da Grande Florianópolis (taxa média 23,22%). Predominou o grupo classificado como médio queimado (taxa média 25,67%) e as internações de 0 a 3 dias (taxa média 50,25%). Queimaduras em cabeça, pescoço e tronco (taxa média 32,25%) foram as mais prevalentes. Conclusão: Identificada tendência de crescimento na taxa de internação por queimaduras em crianças no estado. Maior prevalência de internação no sexo masculino, em crianças de 0 a 4 anos e na região da Grande Florianópolis. Predomínio de médio queimados e de queimaduras em cabeça, pescoço e tronco, com maior taxa de internações de curta duração.

Introduction: Burns is a public health challenge due to high morbidity and mortality and impairment of the victim's quality of life. They disproportionately affect populations of lower socioeconomic status, resulting in high health costs. Method: Ecological, retrospective, observational study, with a quantitative approach and temporal trend analysis of morbidity and mortality due to burns in Santa Catarina, with data obtained from the Hospital and Mortality Information Systems made available by the Information Technology Department of the Unified Health System. Temporal analysis by Spearman Correlation Test. Results: There was a growing trend in the general hospitalization rate (Spearman=0.806; p<0.005) for burns in the state in the period analyzed. Higher prevalence in males (RP 1.68), in the population aged 0 to 4 years (RP 3.08), and in the Greater Florianópolis region (mean rate 23.22%). The group classified as medium burn predominated (mean rate 25.67%) and hospitalizations of 0 to 3 days (mean rate 50.25%). Burns to the head, neck, and trunk (mean rate 32.25%) were the most prevalent. Conclusion: A growth trend was identified in the hospitalization rate for burns in children in the state. Higher prevalence of hospitalization in males, in children aged 0 to 4 years, and in the Greater Florianópolis region. Predominance of moderate burns and burns to the head, neck, and trunk, with a higher rate of short-term hospitalizations.

Tendência temporal de internação por queimadura, na faixa etária 0-14 anos, no Brasil, 2012-2022 / Time trend of hospitalization due to burn, in the age group of 0-14 years, in Brazil, 2012-20

Introdução: Queimaduras são lesões teciduais causadas pelo contato com fontes de calor. Representam um problema de saúde pública global. Em crianças causam grandes impactos. A gravidade e intensidade das queimaduras estão relacionadas ao agente etiológico e suas consequências são um grande obstáculo para o paciente. Método: O estudo analisou dados de internações hospitalares por queimaduras em crianças de 2012 a 2022, utilizando informações do SIH-SUS. Foram calculadas taxas de internações por 100.000 habitantes para cada ano, considerando variáveis dependentes. Os pesquisadores utilizaram coeficientes padronizados e regressão linear simples para analisar os dados. Resultados: Incluíram-se dados de 91.091 internações por queimaduras em crianças, 0-14 anos. Verificou-se estabilidade na taxa geral de internações (taxa média 17,963; ß=0,119; p=0,163). No sexo feminino houve tendência de aumento (taxa média 14,346; ß=0,169; p=0,029); no masculino de estabilidade (taxa média 21,426; ß=0,069; p=0,504). O sexo feminino comportou-se com estabilidade em todas as faixas etárias; o masculino com aumento na faixa 0-4 anos (taxa média 42,264; ß=0,613; p=0,003), estabilidade na faixa 5-9 anos (taxa média 14,189; ß=-0,21; p=0,867) e redução na faixa 10-14 anos (taxa média 9,871; ß= -0,328; p=0,007). A Região Sul demonstrou tendência de aumento (taxa média 26,952; ß=1,091; p=0,001). Conclusão: Houve estabilidade na taxa geral de internações. O sexo feminino tendeu ao aumento e o masculino à estabilidade. Houve estabilidade nas regiões brasileiras, exceto no Sul.

Introduction: Burns are tissue injuries caused by contact with heat sources. They represent a global public health problem. They have major impacts on children. The severity and intensity of burns are related to the etiological agent and their consequences are a major obstacle for the patient. Method: The study analyzed data on hospital admissions for burns in children from 2012 to 2022, using information from SIH-SUS. Hospitalization rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated for each year, considering dependent variables. The researchers used standardized coefficients and simple linear regression to analyze the data. Results: Data from 91,091 hospitalizations for burns in children, 0-14 years old, were included. There was stability in the general hospitalization rate (mean rate 17.963; ß=0.119; p=0.163). In females there was an increasing trend (mean rate 14.346; ß=0.169; p=0.029); in males, there was stability (mean rate 21.426; ß=0.069; p=0.504). Females behaved with stability in all age groups; the male with an increase in the range 0-4 years (mean rate 42.264; ß=0.613; p=0.003), stability in the range 5-9 years (mean rate 14.189; ß=-0.21; p=0.867) and reduction in the range 10-14 years (mean rate 9.871; ß= -0.328; p=0.007). The South Region demonstrated an increasing trend (mean rate 26.952; ß=1.091; p=0.001). Conclusion: There was stability in the general hospitalization rate. The female sex tended towards increase and the male towards stability. There was stability in Brazilian regions, except in the South.

Palliative care and COVID-19: acknowledging past mistakes to forge a better future.

Context: COVID-19 induces complex distress across physical, psychological, and social realms and palliative care (PC) has the potential to mitigate this suffering significantly. Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with an indication of PC, compared to patients who had no indication, in different pandemic waves. Methods: This retrospective multicenter observational cohort included patients from 40 hospitals, admitted from March 2020 to August 2022. Patients who had an indication of palliative care (PC) described in their medical records were included in the palliative care group (PCG), while those who had no such indication in their medical records were allocated to the non-palliative care group (NPCG). Results: Out of 21,158 patients, only 6.7% had indication for PC registered in their medical records. The PCG was older, had a higher frequency of comorbidities, exhibited higher frailty, and had a higher prevalence of clinical complications and mortality (81.4% vs. 17.7%, p < 0.001), when compared to the NPCG. Regarding artificial life support, the PCG had a higher frequency of dialysis (20.4% vs. 10.1%, p < 0.001), invasive mechanical ventilation (48.2% vs. 26.0%, p < 0.001) and admission to the intensive care unit (53.6% vs. 35.4%, p < 0.001). These differences were consistent across all three waves. Conclusion: A low proportion of patients received PC. Patients in PCG were more fragile, had more clinical complications, and had a higher mortality. On the contrary to our expectations, they received more artificial life support in all three waves. Taken together, these findings suggest that decisions regarding PC indication were made too late, within a context of end-of-life and therapeutic failure.

Hospitalization for malaria in the indigenous population of Roraima, in Brazil's Northern Amazon, 2008-2022.

Objectives: To examine the epidemiology of hospitalized cases of malaria in indigenous people living in the municipalities of Roraima in the northern Brazilian Amazon from 2008 to 2022. Methods: Ecological study using secondary data and spatiotemporal analyses based on thematic maps. Average rates were calculated per study period and spatiotemporal clusters were estimated from spatial statistics. Results: Of the 541 medical records, 77.08% were related to Plasmodium vivax. Higher rates were observed in municipalities in the south and center of the state. The rates increased throughout the study period. The analysis generated three clusters. Conclusions: Although Roraima has characteristics that worsen the malaria problem, no studies were found that examined the transmission of the disease in the state as a whole. This increases the importance of this study, which contributes to the discussion in the field of indigenous health.

Instruments to Assess the Comfort of Hospitalized Elderly People: A Scoping Review.

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to map the instruments for assessing the comfort of hospitalized older adults in the scientific literature, identifying those instruments validated and transculturally adapted to the realities of Brazil. Methods: This was a scoping review of 14 articles and a website retrieved from the following databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct/Elsevier, and gray literature (Oasisbr, Catalog of Theses and Dissertations [CAPES], OATD, BDBTD, and The Comfort Line). Results: Seventeen instruments for assessing the comfort of hospitalized older adults were mapped; however, none were specifically designed for this population, as they were originally intended for adults or individuals with neuropsychiatric conditions. Among these, three have been validated and transculturally adapted to the Brazilian context. Conclusions: This study reveals the need for a specific instrument tailored for hospitalized older adults without neuropsychiatric conditions.

Patient Blood Management Program Implementation: Comprehensive Recommendations and Practical Strategies.

INTRODUCTION: Blood transfusion is one of the most common medical practices worldwide. However, current scientific literature has shown that the immunomodulatory effects of blood transfusion are associated with an increased likelihood of infection, prolonged hospitalization, and morbimortality. Also, it means high costs for healthcare systems. METHODS: In this context, acknowledging that blood transfusions are essentially heterologous cell transplantations, the use of therapeutic options has gained strength and is collectively known as the patient blood management (PBM) program. PBM is an approach based on three main pillars: (1) treating anemias and coagulopathies in an optimized manner, especially in the preoperative period; (2) optimizing perioperative hemostasis and the use of blood recovery systems to avoid the loss of the patient's blood; (3) anemia tolerance, with improved oxygen delivery and reduced oxygen demand, particularly in the postoperative period. RESULTS: Current scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of PBM by reducing the need for blood transfusions, decreasing associated complications, and promoting more efficient and safer blood management. Thus, PBM not only improves clinical outcomes for patients but also contributes to the economic sustainability of healthcare systems. CONCLUSION: The aim of this review was to summarize PBM strategies in a comprehensive, evidence-based approach through a systematic and structured model for PBM implementation in tertiary hospitals. The recommendations proposed herein are from researchers and experts of a high-complexity university hospital in the network of the Sistema Único de Saúde, presenting itself as a strategy that can be followed as a guideline for PBM implementation in other settings.

Perspectivas dos profissionais de saúde do BrinquEinstein sobre a implementação do brinquedo terapêutico na pediatria / Perspectives of BrinquEinstein healthcare professionals on the implementation of therapeutic play in pediatrics

Resumo Os benefícios do brinquedo terapêutico (BT) em pediatria são amplamente divulgados na literatura, entretanto, seu uso pelos profissionais de saúde ainda é limitado. Objetivou-se compreender como os profissionais que pertencem ao grupo BrinquEinstein e avaliam o processo de implementação sistemática do BT em unidades pediátricas hospitalares. Realizou-se estudo exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa, nas unidades pediátrica e de terapia intensiva de um hospital geral de extraporte, na cidade de São Paulo. Participaram 13 profissionais de diferentes categorias pertencentes ao BrinquEinstein. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada individual e audiogravada, sendo analisados a partir da Análise Temática Indutiva proposta por Braun e Clark. Da análise das entrevistas, emergiram cinco temas: vivenciando um processo transformador; os benefícios que fortalecem o caminho; as facilidades que impulsionam a caminhada; as barreiras que desafiam o processo; e as perspectivas futuras. Para os profissionais entrevistados, é imprescindível que o uso do BT se torne uma prática rotineira nos diferentes contextos de atendimento à saúde da criança, sendo que gestores e instituições têm papel fundamental na sua implementação.

Abstract The benefits of therapeutic play (TP) in pediatrics are widely reported in the literature, however its use by health professionals is still limited. The objective was to understand how professionals belonging to the BrinquEinstein group evaluate the process of systematic implementation of TP in hospital pediatric units. Exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, developed in the pediatric and intensive care units of extra-large general hospital in São Paulo. The sample consisted of 13 professionals from different categories belonging to BrinquEinstein. Data was collected through individual semi-structured and audio-recorded interviews, being analyzed based on the Inductive Thematic Analysis proposed by Braun and Clark. From the analysis of the interviews, five themes emerged: experiencing a transforming process; the benefits that strengthen the path; the facilities that encourage the walk; the barriers that challenge the process; the future prospects. For the interviewed professionals, it is essential that the use of TP becomes a routine practice in different contexts of the child´s healthcare, in which managers and institutions play a fundamental role in its implementation.

Adoecimento crônico Infantil: das marcas do corpo às marcas simbólicas / Childhood chronic illness: from body marks to symbolic marks / Enfermedad crónica Infantil: de las marcas corporales a las marcas simbólicas

Introdução: O adoecimento crônico e a hospitalização trazem para o universo infantil vivências que são ameaçadoras tanto do ponto de vista físico quanto psíquico. Adoecer é uma experiência complexa, disruptiva e traumática, que acarreta sobrecarga emocional para as crianças e seus familiares. Objetivo: compreender o cenário do adoecimento infantil e a hospitalização, articulando as marcas do corpo às marcas simbólicas. Método: Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, exploratória de ordem teórico-clínica no campo da psicanálise. Resultado: O processo de adoecimento crônico coloca o sujeito em um drama subjetivo com necessidade de elaborar lutos e lidar com a ferida narcísica e, até mesmo pensar a morte de frente. O hospital ganha contornos simbólicos para além do espaço de tratamento da doença e seus sintomas: lugar em que a doença insiste em se dar a ver e permanecer. Conclusão: O adoecimento envolve componentes para além das dimensões biológica, cognitiva e emocional, sendo atravessado por questões subjetivas e simbólicas que norteiam a forma como o sujeito lidará com seu corpo adoecido, portanto implica reflexões acerca da criança como protagonista de seu processo e a escuta do sujeito em sua dimensão simbólica. (AU)

Introduction: Chronic illness and hospitalization bring experiences to children that are threatening from both a physical and psychological point of view. Falling ill is a complex, disruptive and traumatic experience, which causes emotional overload for children and their families. Objective: to understand the scenario of childhood illness and hospitalization, linking body marks to symbolic marks.Method: This is qualitative, exploratory theoretical-clinical research in the field of psychoanalysis. Result: The process of chronic illness places the subject in a subjective drama with the need to mourn and deal with the narcissistic wound and even think about death in the face. The hospital gains symbolic contours beyond the space for treating the disease and its symptoms: a place where the disease insists on showing itself and remaining. Conclusion: Illness involves components beyond the biological, cognitive and emotional dimensions, being crossed by subjective and symbolic issues that guide the way the subject will deal with their ill body, therefore implying reflections on the child as the protagonist of their process and listening of the subject in its symbolic dimension. (AU)

Introducción: Las enfermedades crónicas y la hospitalización traen a los niños experiencias amenazantes tanto desde el punto de vista físico como psicológico. Enfermar es una experiencia compleja, perturbadora y traumática, que provoca una sobrecarga emocional en los niños y sus familias. Objetivo: comprender el escenario de la enfermedad y la hospitalización infantil, vinculando las marcas corporales con las marcas simbólicas. Método: Se trata de una investigación teórico-clínica exploratoria, cualitativa, en el campo del psicoanálisis. Resultado: El proceso de enfermedad crónica sitúa al sujeto en un drama subjetivo con la necesidad de llorar y lidiar con la herida narcisista e incluso pensar en la muerte en elrostro. El hospital gana contornos simbólicos más allá del espacio de tratamiento de la enfermedad y sus síntomas: un lugar donde la enfermedad insiste en mostrarse y permanecer. Conclusión: La enfermedad involucra componentes más allá de las dimensiones biológica, cognitiva y emocional, siendo atravesada por cuestiones subjetivas y simbólicas que orientan la forma en que el sujeto afrontará su cuerpo enfermo, implicando por tanto reflexiones sobre el niño como protagonista de su proceso y escucha del sujeto en su dimensión simbólica. (AU)

Sex Differences in Profile and In-Hospital Death for Acute Stroke in Chile: Data From a Nationwide Hospital Registry.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of local contextual sex differences in the profile and outcome for stroke can improve service delivery. We aimed to determine sex differences in the profile of patients with acute stroke and their associations with in-hospital death in the national hospital database of Chile. METHODS AND RESULTS: We present a retrospective cohort based on the analysis of the 2019 Chilean database of Diagnosis-Related Groups, which represents 70% of the operational expenditure of the public health system. Random-effects multiple logistic regression models were used to determine independent associations of acute stroke (defined by main diagnosis International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision [ICD-10] codes) and in-hospital death, and reported with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. Of 1 048 575 hospital discharges, 15 535 were for patients with acute stroke (7074 [45.5%] in women), and 2438 (15.6%) of them died during hospitalization. Differences by sex in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were identified for stroke and main subtypes. After fully adjusted model, women with ischemic stroke had lower in-hospital death (OR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.69-0.91]) compared with men; other independent predictors included age per year increase (OR, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.03-1.04]), chronic kidney disease (OR, 1.47 [95% CI, 1.20-1.80]), atrial fibrillation (OR, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.26-1.80]), and other risk factors. Conversely, for intracerebral hemorrhage, women had a higher in-hospital mortality rate than men (OR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.02-1.40]); other independent predictors included age per year increase (OR, 1.009 [95% CI, 1.003-1.01]), chronic kidney disease (OR, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.23-1.97]), oral anticoagulant use (OR, 1.88 [95% CI, 1.37-2.58]), and other risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Sex differences in characteristics and in-hospital death of hospitalized patients exist for acute stroke in Chile. In-hospital death is higher for acute ischemic stroke in men and higher for intracerebral hemorrhage in women. Future research is needed to better identify contributing factors.

Evaluation of the Effect of Influenza Vaccine on the Development of Symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Outcome in Patients Hospitalized due to COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. It is unclear whether influenza vaccination reduces the severity of disease symptoms. Previous studies have suggested a beneficial effect of influenza vaccination on the severity of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of the influenza vaccine on the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection symptoms and prognosis in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, identified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Chi-square tests, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and multivariate analysis were performed to assess the association between influenza vaccination and the presence of symptoms in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and their outcome. RESULTS: In this study, 1712 patients received positive laboratory tests for SARS-CoV-2; influenza vaccination was a protective factor against the presence of characteristic COVID-19 symptoms such as polypnea, anosmia, dysgeusia, and fever (p < 0.001). Influenza-vaccinated patients had fewer days of hospitalization (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study support that influenza vaccination is associated with a decrease in the number of symptoms in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19, with fewer days of hospitalization, but not with the outcome of disease.

Severe COVID-19 Outcomes in Five Latin American Countries in the Postvaccination Era.

We conducted a multicountry retrospective study using data from COVID-19 national surveillance databases to analyze clinical profiles, hospitalization rates, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, utilization of ventilatory support, and mortality rates in five Latin American countries in the context of COVID-19 vaccination implementation. We analyzed the sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, clinical outcomes, and vaccination status of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases from January 2021 to December 2022. We calculated the yearly and quarterly hospitalization rates per 1000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and ICU admissions, use of mechanical ventilators, and mortality rates per 1000 hospitalized cases, with their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) of 38,852,831 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Rates of hospitalization, ICU admission, ventilatory support, and death were higher among males than among females (38.2 vs. 32.4, 148.4 vs. 117.7, 282.9 vs. 236.2, and 346.9 vs. 320.1 per 1000, respectively); higher in 2021 than in 2022 (50.7 vs. 19.9, 207.8 vs. 58.2, 441.5 vs. 114.9, and 352.5 vs. 285.2 per 1000, respectively); and in the >50 age group (range: 5.7-18.6, 20.1-71.5, 12.2-67.9, and 353.1-577.4, per 1000) than the <50 age group (range: 2.2-9.3, 5.4-33.2, 41.4-135.8, and 22-243.5 per 1000). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities in Mexico and Colombia. Prevention and treatment strategies for these case profiles could bring benefits from a public health perspective.

App-based telerehabilitation program for older adults on waiting list for physiotherapy after hospital discharge: a feasibility pragmatic randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Inactivity while waiting for outpatient physiotherapy worsens the physical deconditioning of older adults after hospital discharge. Exercise programs can minimize the progression of deconditioning. In developing countries, telerehabilitation for older adults on the waiting list is still in the early stages. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the study procedures of a telerehabilitation program for older adults waiting for outpatient physiotherapy after hospital discharge. METHODS: This pragmatic randomized controlled trial recruited older adults (≥ 60 years) with several clinical diagnoses on the waiting list for outpatient physiotherapy in the Brazilian public health system after hospital discharge. The telerehabilitation group (n = 17) received a personalized program of multicomponent remote exercises using a smartphone app. The control group (n = 17) followed the usual waiting list. We assessed recruitment and dropout rates, safety, adherence, and satisfaction. The preliminary effects were verified on clinical outcomes. RESULTS: We recruited 5.6 older adults monthly; dropouts were 12%. No serious adverse events were associated with the telerehabilitation program. The weekly adherence was 2.85 (1.43) days, and in 63.3% of the weeks the participants were enrolled, they performed the exercise program at least twice a week. Participants rated the telerehabilitation program as 9.71 (0.21), and the safety of remote exercises without professional supervision as 8.6 (2.2) on a 0-10 scale. CONCLUSIONS: The telerehabilitation program using a smartphone app was safe and presented high participants' satisfaction and adequate adherence, recruitment, and dropout rates. Therefore, the definitive study can be conducted with few modifications. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC), RBR-9243v7. Registered on 24 August 2020. https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-9243v7 .

[Characterization of older adult patients admitted to an acute unit of a high complexity hospital in Bogotá, Colombia]. / Caracterización de los pacientes adultos mayores ingresados a una unidad de agudos de un hospital de alta complejidad en Bogotá, Colombia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective is to describe the demographic, clinical, functional characteristics and outcomes of older adult patients hospitalized in the acute unit of the San Ignacio University Hospital (HUSI). METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional observational study, based on the review of the medical records of patients hospitalized in the Geriatrics Unit of the HUSI during the period 2019-2021. VARIABLES: Demographics, comorbidities, baseline situation, main cause of entry and outcomes. The diagnosis of geriatric syndromes was made through the Barthel index, the Lawton and Brody scale, FRAIL scale, mini nutritional assessment short form and Confusion Assessment Method criteria. RESULTS: A total of 4601 patients were analyzed, whose average age was 83years (56.2% women). 72.4% had some degree of dependency for basic activities of daily living, 90.8% had some degree of dependency for instrumental activities of daily living, 32.2% had malnutrition, 15. 7% falls, 9.9% oropharyngeal dysphagia, 32.2% frailty, 28.1% delirium, 54.1% previous dementia. The main comorbidities presented were arterial hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes. 2.9% had some complication during their hospitalization, 10.8% died, and the hospital stay was 5days. CONCLUSION: Older adult patients admitted to the acute unit of the HUSI have a high frequency of dependency, dementia and nutritional disturbances.

Analysis of patients hospitalized by Covid-19 regarding oral care during hospitalization

Oral health interferes with the general condition of the individual, because the oral cavity is a gateway and habitat for pathogens, especially in hospitalized people. There are several diseases that directly interfere in the oral cavity, such as Covid 19. Studies report oral changes in patients infected by SARS-CoV2 and point to the need for satisfactory oral hygiene during hospitalization in order to avoid the occurrence of oral lesions that increase the risk for the individual. The objective of this research is to emphasize the importance of the dentist in hospitals, pointing out the oral diseases that can be caused by poor oral hygiene during hospitalization. For the execution of the work, a questionnaire was carried out with patients who were hospitalized in Covid-19, clarifying if, during the hospitalization period, these patients received help in oral hygiene and if they noticed oral changes. The results achieved are in accordance with the literature, taking into consideration the age range of those affected by covid, over 50 years old, and the length of hospitalization, ran-ging from 10 days. Many hospitals still neglect the dental service and the patient himself performs the oral hygiene. The most common lesions reported by those infected by the virus were taste alteration, xerostomia and thrush, besides caries and dental calculus. We concluded the relevance of the odontologist far beyond the prevention of lesions, but in contributing to the recovery of the individual and the importance of adopting measures for the oral adequacy of hospitalized patients. (AU)

Cardiovascular Outcomes of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors Therapy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) may depend on renal function, and this raises theoretical concern over its effects on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: This systematic review and updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared cardiovascular outcomes of patients with T2DM and CKD treated with SGLT2i to placebo. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were systematically searched. Prespecified subgroup analyses were performed in strata of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <45 mL/min/1.73 m² and 45 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m². RESULTS: Nine RCTs comprising 29,146 patients were selected. Average follow-up ranged from 0.75 to 4.2 years. SGLT2i were shown to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-0.97; p=0.01), the composite of cardiovascular mortality or hospitalizations for heart failure (HHF: HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.65-0.78; p<0.001), cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76-0.98; p=0.02), HHF (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.55-0.71; p<0.001), major adverse cardiovascular events (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.77-0.94; p=0.002), stroke (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59-0.97; p=0.03), and myocardial infarction (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.91; p=0.001). These findings were consistent over strata of eGFR, albeit with a lower incidence of stroke in patients treated with SGLT2i with eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m² (p-value for interaction=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with a placebo, patients with T2DM and CKD treated with SGLT2i experience a reduction in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and HHF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO Identifier: CRD42023401081.

The impact of comorbidity status in COVID-19 vaccines effectiveness before and after SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant in northeastern Mexico: a retrospective multi-hospital study.

Introduction: The end of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been declared by the World Health Organization on May 5, 2023. Several vaccines were developed, and new data is being published about their effectiveness. However, the clinical trials for the vaccines were performed before the Omicron variant appeared and there are population groups where vaccine effectiveness still needs to be tested. The overarching goal of the present study was to analyze the effects of COVID-19 vaccination before and after the Omicron variant in patients considering comorbidities in a population from Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Methods: Epidemiological COVID-19 data from the Mexican Social Security Institute were collected from 67 hospitals located in northeastern Mexico, from July 2020 to May 2023, and a total of 669,393 cases were compiled, 255,819 reported a SARS-CoV-2 positive reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) test or a positive COVID-19 antigen rapid test. Results: Before Omicron (BO, 2020-2021), after 14 days of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 vaccines were effective against infection in non-comorbid and all comorbid subgroups, whereas after Omicron (AO, 2022- 2023) there was no significant effectiveness against infection with none of the vaccines. Regarding hospitalization BO, BNT162b2, ChAdOx1, CoronaVac and mRNA-1273 significantly protected non-comorbid patients whereas BNT162b2, ChAdOx1, and mRNA-1273, protected all comorbid subgroups against hospitalization. AO, BNT162b2, ChAdOx1, CoronaVac and mRNA-1273 were effective against hospitalization in non-comorbid patients whereas for most comorbid subgroups BNT162b2, ChAdOx1 and CoronaVac were effective against hospitalization. Non-comorbid patients were protected against death as an outcome of COVID-19 during the BO period with most vaccines whereas a reduction in effectiveness was observed AO with mRNA-1273 vaccines in patients with hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Discussion: BO, COVID-19 vaccines were effective against infection, hospitalization, and death whereas AO, COVID-19 vaccines failed to protect the population from COVID-19 infection. A varying effectiveness against hospitalization and death is observed AO.

Ambient air pollution exposure and COVID-19 related hospitalizations in Santiago, Chile.

Morbidity and mortality from several diseases are increased on days of higher ambient air pollution. We carried out a daily time-series analysis with distributive lags to study the influence of short-term air pollution exposure on COVID-19 related hospitalization in Santiago, Chile between March 16 and August 31, 2020. Analyses were adjusted for temporal trends, ambient temperature, and relative humidity, and stratified by age and sex. 26,579 COVID-19 hospitalizations were recorded of which 24,501 were laboratory confirmed. The cumulative percent change in hospitalizations (95% confidence intervals) for an interquartile range increase in air pollutants were: 1.1 (0.2, 2.0) for carbon monoxide (CO), 0.30 (0.0, 0.50) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and 2.7 (1.9, 3.0) for particulate matter of diameter ≤ 2.5 microns (PM2.5). Associations with ozone (O3), particulate matter of diameter ≤ 10 microns (PM10) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were not significant. The observed effect of PM2.5 was significantly greater for females and for those individuals ≥ 65 years old. This study provides evidence that daily increases in air pollution, especially PM2.5, result in a higher observed risk of hospitalization from COVID-19. Females and the elderly may be disproportionately affected.

Long-term disability after cerebral ischemic stroke following a Bothrops atrox snakebite in the Brazilian Amazon.

Bothrops atrox envenomations in the Brazilian Amazon are responsible for a number of local and systemic effects. Among these, stroke presents the worst prognosis for the patient since it may evolve into disabilities and/or premature death. This complication is caused by coagulation disorders and generates hemorrhagic and thrombotic conditions. This study presents a case report of a 54-year-old female patient who presented extensive cerebral ischemia after a B. atrox envenomation that occurred in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. The patient was hospitalized for 102 days, which included a stay in the intensive care unit. Clinical and laboratory findings indicated a thrombogenic coagulopathy. On discharge, the patient had no verbal response, partial motor response, and right hemiplegia. The assessment carried out four years after discharge evidenced incapacitation, global aphasia and bilateral lower and upper limbs showed hypotrophy with a global decrease in strength. Ischemic stroke is a possible complication of B. atrox snakebites even after antivenom treatment, with the potential to cause debilitating long-term consequences.

[How to generate recommendations for venous thromboprophylaxis in health institutions?] / Cómo generar recomendaciones de tromboprofilaxis venosa en instituciones de salud.

Venous thromboembolism disease (VTE) prevention strategy has to be constantly updated based on new evidence that is generated every year. Each institution must have a formal and active prevention policy against VTE and must develop guidelines or standards for thromboprophylaxis (TP) according to the local reality. During this process of adapting a guideline to the region and the generation of hospital recommendations, we must always consider the available local resources, the thromboembolic and hemorrhagic risk of the patients, even after discharge, and also their considerations and preferences. Adherence to local TP recommendations is one of the most important items evaluated by organizations that measure institutional quality. Individualized prophylaxis should consider personal and family history of VTE, the use of validated risk assessment models or RAMs for thrombosis and bleeding events, as well as the special characteristics of each patient. Ideally, each center's own statistics should be available for decision-making. Extrapolating guidelines from developed countries could have a negative impact, if we ignore our hospital's reality. In this document we will find practical tools for health institutions that will allow them to prepare recommendations or guidelines for adequate VTE prophylaxis.

La prevención de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa (ETV) es motivo de continua actualización en función de nueva evidencia que se genera permanentemente. Cada institución debe contar con una estrategia activa de prevención contra la ETV y debe generar normas de tromboprofilaxis (TP) de acuerdo con la realidad local. Durante este proceso de adaptación de una guía a la región debemos siempre tener en cuenta los recursos locales disponibles, el riesgo tromboembólico y hemorrágico propio del paciente, de la enfermedad por la que se encuentra internado (ya sea clínica o quirúrgica) y las consideraciones o preferencias del paciente. La tasa de adherencia a recomendaciones locales de TP es uno de los indicadores de excelencia más importantes evaluados en organismos que califican la calidad de una institución de salud. Las medidas de profilaxis que propongamos para los centros de salud, deben ser individualizadas para cada paciente, tienen que considerar antecedentes personales y familiares del enfermo y utilizar modelos de evaluación de riesgo validados de trombosis y de sangrado. También deben incluir a la población con riesgo de trombosis persistente luego del alta. Lo ideal es tener estadísticas propias de cada nosocomio para la toma de decisiones de cómo implementar una correcta TP. Extrapolar guías de los países desarrollados a nuestro ámbito podría tener un impacto negativo, si no se conoce la propia realidad. En este documento encontraremos herramientas prácticas para las instituciones de salud de la región, que les permita orientarse al momento de confeccionar recomendaciones para una adecuada TP.