Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Elective and Emergency Surgeries, and Postoperative Mortality in a Brazilian Metropolitan Area: A Time-Series Cohort Study.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic posed a worldwide challenge, leading to radical changes in surgical services. The primary objective of the study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on elective and emergency surgeries in a Brazilian metropolitan area. The secondary objective was to compare the postoperative hospital mortality before and during the pandemic. Patients and Methods: Time-series cohort study including data of all patients admitted for elective or emergency surgery at the hospitals in the Public Health System of Federal District, Brazil, between March 2018 and February 2022, using data extracted from the Hospital Information System of Brazilian Ministry of Health (SIH/DATASUS) on September 30, 2022. A causal impact analysis was used to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on elective and emergency surgeries and hospital mortality. Results: There were 174,473 surgeries during the study period. There was a reduction in overall (absolute effect per week: -227.5; 95% CI: -307.0 to -149.0), elective (absolute effect per week: -170.9; 95% CI: -232.8 to -112.0), and emergency (absolute effect per week: -57.7; 95% CI: -87.5 to -27.7) surgeries during the COVID-19 period. Comparing the surgeries performed before and after the COVID-19 onset, there was an increase in emergency surgeries (53.0% vs 68.8%, P < 0.001) and no significant hospital length of stay (P = 0.112). The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on postoperative hospital mortality was not statistically significant (absolute effect per week: 2.1, 95% CI: -0.01 to 4.2). Conclusion: Our study showed a reduction in elective and emergency surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly due to disruptions in surgical services. These findings highlight that it is crucial to implement effective strategies to prevent the accumulation of surgical waiting lists in times of crisis and improve outcomes for surgical patients.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Births, Vaginal Deliveries, Cesarian Sections, and Maternal Mortality in a Brazilian Metropolitan Area: A Time-Series Cohort Study.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic posed a worldwide challenge, leading to radical changes in healthcare. The primary objective of the study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on birth, vaginal delivery, and cesarian section (c-section) rates. The secondary objective was to compare the maternal mortality before and after the pandemic. Patients and Methods: Time-series cohort study including data of all women admitted for childbirth (vaginal delivery or c-section) at the maternities in the Public Health System of Federal District, Brazil, between March 2018 and February 2022, using data extracted from the Hospital Information System of Brazilian Ministry of Health (SIH/DATASUS) on September 30, 2022. Causal impact analysis was used to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on birth, vaginal delivery, and c-section using the CausalImpact R package, and a propensity score matching was used to evaluate the effect on maternal mortality rate using the Easy R (EZR) software. Results: There were 150,617 births, and considering total births, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic was not statistically significant (absolute effect per week: 5.5, 95% CI: -24.0-33.4). However, there was an increase in c-sections after COVID-19 (absolute effect per week: 18.1; 95% CI: 11.9-23.9). After propensity score matching, the COVID-19 period was associated with increased maternal mortality (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.53-6.81). The e-value of the adjusted OR for the association between the post-COVID-19 period and maternal mortality was 5.89, with a 95% CI: 2.43, suggesting that unmeasured confounders were unlikely to explain the entirety of the effect. Conclusion: Our study revealed a rise in c-sections and maternal mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly due to disruptions in maternal care. These findings highlight that implementing effective strategies to protect maternal health in times of crisis and improve outcomes for mothers and newborns is crucial.

Effectiveness of training programs based on mindfulness in reducing psychological distress and promoting well-being in medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Medical schools have used mindfulness meditation as a strategy to assist students in stress management. This study aimed to seek evidence regarding the effectiveness of mindfulness-based training programs in reducing psychological distress and promoting the well-being of medical students. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO/PsycNet, LILACS/BVS, ERIC (ProQuest), Web of Science, OpenGrey, and Google Scholar were searched for randomized clinical trials published until March 2022, without time or language restrictions. Two authors independently screened the articles, extracted data using a standardized extraction form, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies using the Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2 (ROB 2) tool and the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. RESULTS: Of the 848 articles retrieved, 8 met the inclusion criteria. Mindfulness-based training improved the outcomes: mindfulness (small post-intervention effect: SMD = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.54; p = 0.03; I2 = 46%; high evidence quality, and small effect at follow-up: SMD = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.70; p = 0.03; I2 = 53%; low evidence quality), psychological well-being/health (there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the post-intervention effect: SMD = - 0.27; 95% CI: - 0.67 to 0.13; p = 0.18; I2 = 76%; moderate evidence quality, and a significant difference at follow-up: SMD = - 0.73; 95% CI: - 1.23 to - 0.23; p = 0.004; I2 = 61%; low evidence quality), and stress (small post-intervention effect: SMD = - 0.29; CI of 95%: - 0.56 to - 0.02; p = 0.04; I2 = 57%; moderate evidence quality, and moderate effect at follow-up: SMD = - 0.45, 95% CI: - 0.67 to - 0.22, p = 0.0001, I2 = 0%, moderate evidence quality). The quality of evidence for the anxiety, depression, and resilience outcomes is low and for the empathy outcome, very low. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the students who participated in the mindfulness training perceived improvements in the stress and psychological distress symptoms and improved health perception and psychological well-being. However, the significant heterogeneity among studies should be considered when interpreting these findings. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020153169.

Robson Classification for cesarean section in a Public Hospital in Distrito Federal / Classificação de Robson para cesárea em um Hospital Público do Distrito Federal

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate cesarean taxes by looking at Robson classification on 10 groups (G) and the principal indications at the prevalent groups and at G10. Methods: cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study, including all deliveries performed in a public hospital in Distrito Federal in 2019. Data were collected from medical records and pregnant women were classified in 10 groups. Pearson's chi-squared test was used to calculate the p-value. The risk estimate for cesarean was defined by common odds ratio of Mantel-Haenszel, with calculation of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI95%). Results: there were 2,205 deliveries, 1,084 (49.1%) of which were cesarean and 1,121 (50.9%) vaginal deliveries. The principal factors for cesarean were G5 (39.3%), G2 (21.2%) and G1 (13.6%). At G10, cesarean had 51.5% of births, not differing statistically from the other groups (p>0.05). Considering all preterm births, G6 to G10 and the other groups, there is a bigger chance of cesarean happening in relation to normal labor (OR=1.4; CI95%= 1.011-2.094; p=0.042). Dystocia remained at G1 and G2, previous cesarean at G5 and hypertensive syndrome at G10. Conclusion: cesarean was most prevalent delivery route, showing elevated rates even in primiparous and preterm births. Preponderance of dystocia and acute fetal distress suggests better evaluation of the diagnostic criteria, mainly in G1, G2 and G10.

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar as taxas de cesárea pela classificação de Robson em 10 grupos (G) e as principais indicações nos grupos prevalentes e no G10. Métodos: estudo transversal, observacional, retrospectivo, incluindo todos os nascimentos em um hospital público do Distrito Federal em 2019. Dados coletados de prontuários eletrônicos e as parturientes categorizadas em dez grupos. Teste qui-quadrado de Pearson para o valor de p e razão de chances comum de Mantel-Haenszel para estimativa de risco, com OR e IC95%. Resultados: ocorreram 2.205 nascimentos, 1.084 (49,1%) cesáreas e 1.121 (50,9%) partos normais. Os principais contribuintes para a cesárea foram G5 (39,3%), G2 (21,2%) e G1 (13,6%). No G10, cesárea teve 51,5% dos nascimentos, não diferindo estatisticamente dos demais grupos (p>0,05). Considerando todos os prematuros, G6 ao G10 e demais grupos, há maior chance de cesárea em relação ao parto normal (OR=1,4; IC95%= 1.011-2.094; p=0,042). Distócia prevaleceu nos G1 e G2, Cesárea prévia no G5 e Síndromes hipertensivas no G10. Conclusão: a cesárea mostrou taxas elevadas inclusive nas primíparas e nos prematuros. Predomínio de Distócia e Sofrimento fetal sugerem melhor avaliação destes critérios diagnósticos, principalmente em G1, G2 e G10.

Escore de Apgar e indicação de cesárea por sofrimento fetal em um hospital público do Distrito Federal / Apgar score and indication of cesarean section due to fetal distress at a public hospital in the Federal District

Objetivo: Avaliar as indicações de cesárea por sofrimento fetal (SF), pelo escore de Apgar, em um hospital público. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal e retrospectivo que incluiu todos os partos realizados no período de estudo. A análise estatística foi realizada no software IBM SPSS Statistics v.22 com teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson para o cálculo do p-valor. A estimativa de risco foi definida pela razão de chances comum de Mantel-Haenszel, com cálculo de odds ratio (OR), intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%) e limite de significância de 95% (p < 0,05). Resultados: Dos 2.205 partos, 1.084 (49,1%) foram cesáreas e 1.121 (50,9%), partos vaginais. Escore de Apgar < 7 no primeiro minuto foi evidenciado em 5,9% do total de partos. A diferença entre os escores de Apgar no primeiro minuto entre os dois tipos de parto foi estatisticamente significante (p < 0,05), e esses recém-nascidos (RNs) tiveram a chance 1,4 vez maior de Apgar < 7 nas cesáreas em relação ao parto vaginal (OR: 1,4; IC95%: 1-2,05). No quinto minuto, Apgar < 7 ocorreu em 0,7% em todos os tipos de partos. O SF foi a terceira causa de indicação de cesárea (22,8%), e o Apgar < 7 não diferenciou das cesáreas por demais causas. Conclusão: Este estudo demonstrou alta taxa de cesárea e maior risco de Apgar < 7 no primeiro minuto para esses partos. A ausência de diferença estatisticamente significante entre o Apgar dos RNs de cesárea por SF e demais indicações revela a necessidade local de rever esse diagnóstico e consequente conduta.(AU)

Objective: To evaluate the cesarean indications for fetal distress (FD), using the Apgar score, in a public hospital. Methods: Cross-sectional and retrospective study, which included all the deliveries performed during the period of study. Statistical Analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics v.22 software with Pearson's Chi-square test to calculate the p-value. The risk estimate for Apgar < 7 was defined by the common odds ratio (OR) of Mantel-Haenszel, with calculation of OR and 95% confidence interval and significance limit of 95% (p < 0.05). Results: Of the 2,205 deliveries, 1,084 (49.1%) were cesarean and 1,121 (50.9%) were vaginal deliveries. Apgar score < 7 in the 1st minute was seen in 5.9% of total deliveries. The difference between the Apgar Scores in the 1st minute between the two types of delivery was statistically significant (p < 0.05), and these newborns (NBs) had 1.4 times more chance of Apgar < 7 in cesarean in relation to vaginal delivery (OR: 1,4; IC95%: 1-2,05). In the 5th minute, Apgar < 7 occurred in 0.7% of all types of births. FD was the third cause of cesarean indication (22.8%) and the Apgar < 7 wasn't different from the cesareans performed for other causes. Conclusion: This study demonstrated a high cesarean rate and a bigger risk of Apgar < 7 in the 1st minute for this type of delivery. The absence of statistically significant difference between the Apgar of NBs of cesarean due to FD and other indications reveal the need to review this diagnosis e it's conduct.(AU)

Estratégias de Ensino-Aprendizagem para Formação Humanista, Crítica, Reflexiva e Ética na Graduação Médica: Revisão Sistemática / Teaching-Learning Strategies for Humanistic, Critical, Reflective and Ethical Undergraduate Medical Training: a Systematic Review

Resumo: Introdução: A medicina é uma área do conhecimento diretamente associada às relações humanas e influenciada por elas. A prática médica requer mais que conhecimento técnico, necessita de habilidades que possibilitem a aplicação adequada da técnica para a recuperação e promoção da saúde de um indivíduo. As Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais (DCN) atuais trazem em seu texto as competências necessárias à formação médica, que vão além do campo técnico. As DCN orientam que a graduação médica deve ser pautada em uma formação generalista, humanista, crítica, reflexiva e ética. Nesse contexto, buscou-se com esta revisão identificar estratégias de ensino-aprendizagem utilizadas para o alcance das referidas competências psicossociais na graduação médica. Método: Foi realizada revisão sistemática, em que se pesquisaram artigos que apresentassem intervenções e/ou métodos pedagógicos para a aquisição, durante a graduação médica, de competências necessárias a uma formação médica generalista, humanista, crítica, reflexiva e ética. Os estudos selecionados foram sintetizados e analisados com base nos critérios do sistema Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (Grade). Resultados: A estratégia de busca inicialmente resultou em 98 artigos elegíveis, dos quais, após segunda avaliação, 11 artigos primários foram selecionados. Inicialmente, agruparam-se os artigos conforme a competência segundo a qual foram pesquisados e reorganizados de acordo com o critério conceitual em que se enquadraram. Assim, dos 11 artigos selecionados com a estratégia de busca, seis foram classificados como formação humanista, dois como formação crítica, dois como formação reflexiva e um como formação ética. Conclusões: Os estudos encontrados mostram que dimensões importantes da formação médica, muitas vezes deixadas de lado durante a graduação, podem ser abordadas de maneira sistemática e com métodos pedagógicos já validados na literatura, pois trata-se de métodos de ensino-aprendizagem efetivos que agregam habilidades fundamentais ao graduando em Medicina, retirando do currículo oculto competências fundamentais ao médico em formação. Com a passagem dessas competências para um currículo formal, torna-se possível avaliá-las e melhorar a qualidade da formação médica. Dessa forma, essas estratégias de ensino-aprendizagem incorporam atitudes que podem significar o sucesso ou insucesso profissional médico.

Abstract: Introduction: Medicine is an area of knowledge directly related to and influenced by human relationships. Medical practice requires not only technical knowledge but also skills that enable one to properly apply techniques for the recovery and promotion of an individual's health. The current Brazilian National Curricular Guidelines (DCN) outline the essential skills for medical training, which extend beyond the technical field. According to the DCN, undergraduate medical training should be based on a generalist, humanistic, critical, reflective and ethical formation. In view of this, the aim of this review was to identify teaching-learning strategies used to achieve these psychosocial competences in undergraduate medical training. Method: A systematic review of articles that present pedagogical interventions and/or methods used to teach the necessary competences for a generalist, humanistic, critical, reflexive and ethical medical training at undergraduate level. The selected studies were synthesized and analysed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Results: The research strategy initially resulted in 98 eligible articles, of which, after a second evaluation, 11 primary articles were selected. The articles were initially grouped by the competence in relation to which they were researched and reorganized according to the conceptual criterion by which they were framed. Thus, of the 11 articles selected with the search strategy, six articles were classified as addressing humanist formation, two critical formation, two reflective formation and one ethical formation. Conclusion: The studies reviewed show that important dimensions of medical education, often disregarded during undergraduate training, can be approached in a systematic way and with validated pedagogical methods. These effective teaching-learning methods provide the medical student with fundamental skills that may have previously been part of the hidden curriculum. Incorporating such competencies into a formal curriculum allows for their evaluation and for improvement in the quality of medical training, thus leading to the adoption of attitudes key to success in the medical profession.

Robson 10-groups classification system to access C-section in two public hospitals of the Federal District/Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The global increase in C-section rates is real. In Brazil, these indices correspond to 58.94% in the Midwest region and 52.77% in the Federal District. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the C-section rates and identify the groups with the greatest risk at two reference hospitals in the public network of Federal District/Brazil, using 10-Group Robson System. METHOD: A cross-sectional study of 6579 births assisted at the Hospital A (HA) and the Hospital B (HB) during 2013. The C-section rates in each group and its respective contribution to the total hospital C-sections was compared between HA and HB. To this, was used the proportion difference test (similar to chi-square test), with RR and 95% CI, and the logistic regression analysis (OR; 95% CI) among the groups with higher C-section/total C-section. The significance limit of p < 0.05 was defined for all tests. RESULTS: The C-section rates were 50.8% at the HA and 42.3% at the HB, with 1.20 RR (95%CI = 1.13-1.28) at the HA. The highest rates were observed in Robson groups G5, G1, and G2. At the HA, G1 had a 21.5% C-section rate, which was greater than at the HB (13.8%; p < 0.05); the cesarean rates for groups G2 and G5 were higher at the HB (respectively, 18.6 and 38.1%) than at the HA (14.8 and 32.5%, respectively; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results point out specific goals to be achieved in order to reduce abusive cesarean rates in both A and B hospitals, especially in the primigravida and in those with previous C-section.

Waist circumference in predicting gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate waist circumference (WC) measured at 20-24 weeks of gestation as a predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 240 women at 20-24 weeks of gestation. At enrollment, WC was measured, and both prepregnancy and gestational body mass index (BMI) were estimated. According to the results of 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) performed at 24-28 weeks, subjects were allocated into two groups, non-GDM and GDM. WC sensitivity and specificity, and odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals for BMI and WC were estimated, and a receiver operating characteristics curve was generated. RESULTS: Of the 240 pregnant women enrolled, 31 (13%) had GDM. Prepregnancy BMI (OR = 4.21), gestational BMI (OR = 3.17) and WC at 20-24 weeks (OR = 4.02) correlated with GDM risk. At 20-24 weeks, a WC of 85.5-88.5 cm was the optimal cutoff point for predicting GDM (Sens/Spec balance between 87.1/41.1% and 77.4/56.9%). CONCLUSION: At 20-24 weeks of gestation, WC values in the range of 86-88 cm showed to be a good performance in predicting GDM.

Diabetes mellitus gestacional: enfoque nos novos critérios diagnósticos / Gestational diabetes mellitus: focus on new diagnostic criteria

As alterações no metabolismo materno são importantes para suprir asdemandas do feto. Entretanto, mulheres que engravidam com algumgrau de resistência à insulina, como nos casos de sobrepeso/obesidade,obesidade central e síndrome dos ovários policísticos, associado à açãodos hormônios placentários anti-insulínicos favorece o quadro de hiperglicemia de intensidade variada, caracterizando o diabetes mellitusgestacional (DMG) e levando a efeitos adversos maternos e fetais. Dianteda ausência de um consenso universal para o rastreamento e diagnósticodo DMG, esta revisão teve como objetivos, elencar os variados protocolos que foram propostos, bem como ressaltar os fatores de riscoassociados ao DMG e suas complicações. O mais recente protocolo é o da Associação Americana de Diabetes, com mudanças que se justificariam pelo aumento alarmante da obesidade mundial e, em decorrência, o potencial incremento na ocorrência do diabetes mellitus tipo 2, nem sempre diagnosticado antes do período gestacional. A intenção desteprotocolo é identificar as gestantes que se beneficiariam do controle dahiperglicemia, melhorando o prognóstico destas gestações e prevenindo complicações futuras para as mães e seus filhos.

Alterations in maternal metabolism are important in order to supply thedemands of the fetus. However, pregnant women with some degree ofinsulin resistance, such as in cases of overweight/obesity, central obesityand polycystic ovaries syndrome, associated to the action of anti-insulinplacental hormones, contribute to a case of hyperglycemia of varied intensity, characterizing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and leadingto adverse effects both maternal and fetal. At the absence of a universalconsensus to the tracking and diagnosis of GDM, this review had the purpose of listing the various protocols that have been proposed, as well as highlighting the risk factors associated with GDM and its complications. The most recent protocol is the one from the American Diabetes Association, with changes that would be justified by the alarming raisein worldwide obesity and, consequently, the potential increase to the occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, not always diagnosed before the gestational period. The intention of this protocol is to identify the gestatingwomen that could benefit from hyperglycemia control, improvingthe prognostic of these pregnancies and preventing future complicationsfor mothers and their children.