Annualized hospitalization rate with natalizumab vs fingolimod in second-line treatment for RRMS in the public healthcare system in Brazil: A claim database approach.

PURPOSE: In the Brazilian public healthcare system, natalizumab is recommended as fourth-line treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Although natalizumab has already demonstrated higher effectiveness compared with fingolimod in some studies, this real-world study was conducted to evaluate annualized hospitalization rates (AHR) in Brazil for both treatments when switching from platform therapies. As secondary goals, we analyzed RRMS treatment patterns and hospitalization profiles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We extracted data from the DATASUS database of patients with MS (ICD-10 G35) who initiated treatment from January 2012 to December 2017. Two cohorts were screened for different purposes. Cohort 1 was used to analyze treatment patterns and hospitalization profiles and was defined as individuals who had at least one claim related to MS therapies and had received at least two lines of treatment. The second cohort, which was a subset of the first, was used to compare natalizumab's and fingolimod's AHR reduction from previous treatment lines and included patients switching from platform therapy to one of these two drugs. Cohort 2 adjustment was assessed through two different statistical methods: propensity score (PS) and inverse probability weighting (IPW). RESULTS: Of 29,410 patients screened, 2,876 were included in cohort 1. Three quarters of hospitalizations reported in this cohort were for treatment of MS relapse. Cohort 2 included 1,005 patients, and natalizumab was more commonly used (n = 540) than fingolimod (n = 465). Both PS and IPW analyses showed that patients treated with natalizumab had a statistical significantly reduction in AHR compared with first-line treatment (p<0.01 for both PS and IPW), while fingolimod did not result in significant reduction in AHR (p = 0.20 for PS and p = 0.17 for IPW). CONCLUSION: This study provides real-world evidence of natalizumab's and fingolimod's effectiveness in terms of AHR, with an increased reduction in AHR with natalizumab. The findings of this study also provide information to support disease management and healthcare planning in the Brazilian public healthcare system.

Alterations in strength of the shoulder rotators in young elite swimmers / Alteração da força dos rotadores do ombro em jovens nadadores de elite

Abstract Introduction: Shoulder muscle strength imbalance is considered a risk factor for shoulder injuries in athletes, especially in sports involving arm movements above the head. Objective: To assess the strength of the external rotators (ER) and internal rotators (IR) of the shoulder in elite swimmers, to determine possible differences between the dominant and non-dominant limbs, and to calculate the shoulder IR/ER ratio. Methods: Fifteen athletes participated in the study from age 20 ± 2 years, mass of 76 ± 4 kg, stature of 1.83 ± 4 cm, and BMI of 22 ± 1 kg/m2. Duration of practice of 10.74 ± 4.03 years; training frequency 5.95 ± 0.22 days/week, 2.07 ± 0.41 hours/day; and weekly number of meters swum 34.905. An isometric dynamometer (Globus Ergo System®, Codognè, Italy) was used to assess ER and IR strength. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), paired-sample t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS), version 16.0. Results: IR and ER strength was lower in the left than in the right shoulder of the swimmers (p < 0.05). Additionally, ER strength ratio was higher than IR strength ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the swimmers had an alteration of the shoulder ER/IR ratio, especially in the dominant limb.

Resumo Introdução: O desequilíbrio da força da musculatura do ombro é considerado um fator de risco para algumas lesões no ombro dos atletas, especialmente em esportes que envolvem movimentos acima do nível da cabeça. Objetivo: Avaliar a força da musculatura rotadora externa (RE) e rotadora interna (RI) do ombro em nadadores de elite, verificar possíveis diferenças entre o membro dominante e o não-dominante e determinar a relação RE/RI de ombro. Métodos: Participaram 15 atletas (idade: 20 ± 2 anos, peso: 76 ± 4 kg, estatura: 1,83 ± 4 cm, IMC: 22 ± 1 kg/m2), tempo de prática de 10,74 ± 4,03 anos, frequência de treino/semana = 5,95±0,22 vezes, horas/dia = 2,07 ± 0,41hs e metragem semanal= 34.905 m. Para avaliar a força dos RE e RI foi utilizado um dinamômetro isométrico (Globus Ergo System®, Globus Itália). Os dados foram analisados através da estatística descritiva (média e desvio padrão), pelo Teste t para amostras pareadas e pela Correlação de Pearson (r), por meio do programa pelo programa SPSS versão 16.0. Resultados: Em relação à força dos rotadores, os nadadores apresentaram uma força menor nos RI e RE do ombro esquerdo quando comparado ao ombro direito (p < 0,05). A relação dos RE foi maior que a relação da força dos RI (p < 0,05). Conclusão: Os resultados revelaram que os nadadores apresentaram uma alteração da relação RE/RI, principalmente no membro dominante.

Caracterização das notificações de violência em crianças no município de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, no período 2006-2008 / Characteristics of the notification of violence against children in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil / Caracterización de las notificaciones de violencia en niños en el municipio de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, en el periodo 2006-2008

OBJETIVO: descrever os casos de violência contra crianças notificados no município de Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brasil. MÉTODOS: estudo descritivo com dados do Sistema de Vigilância de Violências e Acidentes (VIVA) da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brasil, no período de 2006 a 2008. RESULTADOS: foram registrados 498 casos de violência contra crianças (0-9 anos) no período, com elevação no número de notificações, de 112 em 2006 a 197 em 2008, 79,3% das notificações foram provenientes da área da Saúde, a maioria das crianças era do sexo feminino (56,4%) e apresentava idade entre dois e cinco anos (mais de 60%); prevaleceram agressores do sexo masculino (53,6%), com destaque para a figura paterna (22,7%); agressões físicas foram as mais frequentes (59,2%) e o local de maior ocorrência foi a casa da família (75,5%). CONCLUSÃO: predominaram vítimas do sexo feminino, agredidas por homens, predominantemente pais e outros familiares, na casa da família.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the cases of violence against children reported in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil. METHODS: this was a descriptive study using data provided by the Violence and Accidents Surveillance System (VIVA), of the Municipal Health Department of Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil, from 2006 to 2008. RESULTS: a total of 498 cases of violence against children (0-9 years old) were reported in the period, with an increase in the number of notifications, from 112 in 2006 to 197 in 2008; 79.3% of the notifications came from the Health area; and most children were female (56.4%), aged between two and five years old (over 60%); most aggressors were male (53.6%) and the father figure stood out (22.7%); physical aggressions were the most frequent (59.2%) and the most frequent place of the occurrence was the family household (75.5%). CONCLUSION: most victims were female, abused by men, mostly fathers and other family members, at the family household.

OBJETIVO: describir los casos de violencia contra niños notificados en el municipio de Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brasil. MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo con datos del Sistema de Vigilancia de Violencias y Accidentes (VIVA) de la Secretaria Municipal de Salud de Ribeirão Preto-SP, de 2006 a 2008. RESULTADOS: se registraron 498 casos de violencia infantil (de 0 a 9 años) en dicho periodo, aumentando las notificaciones de 112 en 2006 y 197 en 2008, siendo el 79,3% provenientes del área de salud; la mayoría de los niños era de sexo femenino (56,4%) de edad entre dos y cinco años (más de 60%); prevalecieron agresores de sexo masculino (53,6%), destacándose la figura paterna (22,7%); las agresiones físicas fueran las más practicadas (59,2%) y el lugar de mayor ocurrencia fue la casa de la familia (75,5%). CONCLUSIÓN: predominaron víctimas de sexo femenino agredidas por hombres, en gran parte padres y otros familiares en casa de la familia.

[Characteristics of the notification of violence against children in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil]. / Caracterização das notificações de violência em crianças no município de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, no período 2006-2008.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the cases of violence against children reported in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil. METHODS: this was a descriptive study using data provided by the Violence and Accidents Surveillance System (VIVA), of the Municipal Health Department of Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil, from 2006 to 2008. RESULTS: a total of 498 cases of violence against children (0-9 years old) were reported in the period, with an increase in the number of notifications, from 112 in 2006 to 197 in 2008; 79.3% of the notifications came from the Health area; and most children were female (56.4%), aged between two and five years old (over 60%); most aggressors were male (53.6%) and the father figure stood out (22.7%); physical aggressions were the most frequent (59.2%) and the most frequent place of the occurrence was the family household (75.5%). CONCLUSION: most victims were female, abused by men, mostly fathers and other family members, at the family household.

Associations of Body Mass Index and Physical Activity With Sexual Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Survivors.

Sexual dysfunction is a common and distressing consequence of breast cancer (BC) treatment. In the present study, we investigated the sexual functioning of BC patients and its association with women's personal characteristics and cancer treatments. In this cross-sectional study, sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and its breast module BR-23. Of the 235 participants approached, 216 participants were included in the study. Of these, 63 patients reported no sexual activity in the last month and thus were analyzed only in relation to the sexual desire domain of FSFI. A total of 154 (71.3 %) patients were classified with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). From those patients reporting sexual activity in the last month, 63.3 % (97 out of 153) were classified with sexual dysfunction. Using hierarchical logistic regression, the variance explained (change in R 2) by the addition of body mass index (BMI) and mild to moderate physical activity in the prediction models of sexual dysfunction and HSDD were 6.8 and 7.2 %, respectively. Age, BMI, and physical activity were independently associated with sexual dysfunction and HSDD. Additionally, BC patients with sexual dysfunction reported lower scores on global HRQOL, role functioning, and fatigue. Based on our findings, BC survivors should be encouraged to practice regular physical activity and to lose weight in order to avoid sexual dysfunction. However, future clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Understanding the Differences Between Oncology Patients and Oncology Health Professionals Concerning Spirituality/Religiosity: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study investigated whether spirituality/religiosity (S/R) plays an important role in the lives of cancer patients and in the work of health professionals who provide care for these patients. The correlations between spiritual quality of life (QOL) and the other QOL domain scores of patients and health professionals were also assessed. Moreover, QOL domain scores were compared between patients and health professionals. In this cross-sectional study, 1050 participants (525 oncology patients and 525 health professionals) were interviewed. Quality of life was assessed with the World Health Organization quality of life spiritual, religious, and personal beliefs (WHOQOL-SRPB). To compare the groups with respect to the instruments' domains, a quantile regression and an analysis of covariance model were used. The WHOQOL-Bref and WHOQOL-SRPB domains were correlated by performing Pearson and partial correlation tests. It was demonstrated that 94.1% of patients considered it important that health professionals addressed their spiritual beliefs, and 99.2% of patients relied on S/R to face cancer. Approximately, 99.6% of the patients reported that S/R support is necessary during cancer treatment; 98.3% of health professionals agreed that spiritual and religious support was necessary for oncology patients. Positive correlations between spiritual QOL and the other QOL domains were observed. When compared among themselves, patients exhibited significantly higher levels of spiritual QOL. In conclusion, S/R was an important construct in the minds of cancer patients and health professionals. Both groups often use S/R resources in their daily lives, which seems to positively affect their perceptions of QOL. Further studies are needed to determine how health professionals effectively address S/R during oncology practice.

Melanoma characteristics in Brazil: demographics, treatment, and survival analysis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of melanoma, one of the most aggressive of the skin cancers, has been increasing worldwide in the last few decades. Data from Latin America and Brazil remain scarce. We aimed to describe the demographic, clinical, and histopathological data; therapy characteristics; and survival rates of the Brazilian melanoma patient population. RESULTS: We collected and analysed retrospective data from 15 years at a tertiary cancer centre. We describe patient characteristics and treatment. We calculated survival, and identified the main prognostic factors through univariate and multivariate analysis. We analysed a total of 1073 patients, with a mean age of 56.7 years. Men and women experienced similar prevalence, and 91.2% of patients had white skin. The most prevalent subtype was superficial spreading, and the most prevalent anatomic location was the trunk (32.2%), followed by the lower extremities (28%). Of all cases, 567 (52.9%) were assigned to clinical stages I and II, while 382 (32.6%) were stages III and IV. Surgery was the main treatment. Sentinel node biopsy was performed in 373 patients, with 23.8% positivity. Overall actuarial 5-year survival was 67.6%. Multivariate analysis showed that gender, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels at diagnosis; anatomic location, TNM stage, and local recurrence were significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Overall survival was lower than worldwide rates. The main factors influencing survival were similar to those in other populations. Local recurrence was independently associated with lower survival rates. The high prevalence of advanced cases reinforces the importance of strategies to diagnose melanomas in the early stages. There is a need for future multi-institutional prospective studies to attain a better understanding of possible socioeconomic and other influences on survival among melanoma populations in Brazil and Latin America.

What are the best terms in Portuguese to explain the concepts of "fatigue" and "depression" in cancer patients?

OBJECTIVE: Although "fatigue" and "depression" are well-accepted clinical terms in the English language, they are ill defined in many other languages, including Portuguese. We aimed to investigate the most appropriate words to describe cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and depression in Brazilian cancer patients. METHOD: The interviewers read to patients two clinical vignettes describing fatigued patients and two others describing depressed patients. Participants were asked to choose from among "fatigue," "tiredness," "weakness," "depression," and "sadness" the best and worst terms to explain the vignettes. In addition, they were administered an instrument containing numeric rating scales (NRSs), addressing common symptoms, including the aforementioned terms. Pearson correlation analysis and accuracy diagnostic tests were conducted using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Fatigue (FACIT-F) as references. RESULTS: Among the 80 participants, 40% reported that the best term to explain the concept of CRF was "tiredness," and 59% chose "sadness" as the best descriptor of depression. Regarding diagnostic accuracy, the areas under the curve (AUCs) for "fatigue," "weakness," and "tiredness" were 0.71, 0.81, and 0.76, respectively; the AUCs for "depression" and "sadness" ranged from 0.81 to 0.91 and 0.73 to 0.83, respectively. Negative correlations were found among FACIT-F fatigue subscale scores and NRS scores for "fatigue" (r = -0.58), "tiredness" (r = -0.67), and "weakness" (r = -0.62). Regarding depression, there were positive correlations between HADS-D scores and both NRS for "depression" (r = 0.61) and "sadness" (r = 0.54). SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: "Tiredness" was considered the best descriptor of CRF. Taking into consideration the clinical correlation with depression scores, the term "depression" was accepted as the best term to explain the concept of depression.

Impact of a physical activity program on the anxiety, depression, occupational stress and burnout syndrome of nursing professionals / Impacto de um programa de atividade física sobre a ansiedade, depressão, estresse ocupacional e síndrome de Burnout dos profissionais de enfermagem no trabalho / Impacto de un programa de actividad física sobre la ansiedad, la depresión, el estrés ocupacional y el síndrome del agotamiento en el trabajo de los profesionales de enfermería

OBJECTIVE: to assess the effects of a workplace physical activity (WPA) program on levels of anxiety, depression, burnout, occupational stress and self-perception of health and work-related quality of life of a nursing team in a palliative care unit. METHODS: the WPA was conducted five days per week, lasting ten minutes, during three consecutive months. Twenty-one nursing professionals were evaluated before and after the intervention, with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Maslch Burnout Inventory, and the Job Stress Scale. The changes in self-perceived health and work-related quality of life were measured using a semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS: the WPA did not yield significant results on the levels of anxiety, depression, burnout or occupational stress. However, after the intervention, participants reported improved perceptions of bodily pain and feeling of fatigue at work. CONCLUSION: the WPA did not lead to beneficial effects on occupational stress and psychological variables, but it was well accepted by the nursing professionals, who reported improvement in perceptions of health and work-related quality of life. .

OBJETIVO: avaliar os efeitos de um programa de atividade física no local de trabalho sobre os níveis de ansiedade, depressão, Burnout, estresse ocupacional e na autopercepção da saúde e qualidade de vida, relacionada ao trabalho de uma equipe de enfermagem, em uma unidade de cuidados paliativos. MÉTODOS: o programa de atividade física no local de trabalho foi realizado cinco dias por semana, com duração de dez minutos, durante três meses consecutivos. Vinte e um profissionais de enfermagem foram avaliados antes e após a intervenção, com o Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, o Inventário Maslch Burnout, e o Job Stress Scale. As mudanças na autopercepção da saúde e qualidade de vida, relacionada ao trabalho, foram mensuradas por meio de um questionário semiestruturado. RESULTADOS: o programa de atividade física no local de trabalho não acarretou resultados significativos sobre os níveis de ansiedade, depressão, Burnout e estresse ocupacional. No entanto, após a intervenção, os participantes relataram melhor percepção de dor e sensação de fadiga no trabalho. CONCLUSÃO: o programa de atividade no local de trabalho não resultou em efeitos benéficos sobre estresse ocupacional e variáveis psicológicas, mas foi bem-aceito pelos profissionais de enfermagem, que relataram melhora na percepção da saúde e qualidade de vida relacionada ao trabalho. .

OBJETIVO: evaluar los efectos de un programa de actividad física en el lugar de trabajo (AFT) en los niveles de ansiedad, depresión, agotamiento, estrés ocupacional y autopercepción de la salud y la calidad de vida relacionada con el trabajo de un equipo de enfermería en una unidad de cuidados paliativos. MÉTODOS: el programa AFT se llevó a cabo durante cinco días a la semana, con una duración de diez minutos, durante tres meses consecutivos. Veintiún profesionales de enfermería fueron evaluados antes y después de la intervención, con Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, el Inventário Maslch Burnout y la Job Stress Scale. Los cambios en la percepción de la salud y la calidad de vida relacionada con el trabajo se midieron utilizando un cuestionario semi-estructurado. RESULTADOS: el programa AFT no dio resultados significativos en los niveles de ansiedad, depresión, agotamiento o estrés laboral. Sin embargo, después de la intervención, los participantes informaron una mejor percepción del dolor corporal y de la sensación de fatiga en el trabajo. CONCLUSIÓN: el programa AFT no condujo a efectos beneficiosos sobre el estrés laboral y las variables psicológicas, pero fue bien aceptada por los profesionales de enfermería, quienes reportaron mejoría en la percepción de la salud y la calidad de vida relacionada con el trabajo. .

Further evaluation of the EORTC QLQ-C30 psychometric properties in a large Brazilian cancer patient cohort as a function of their educational status.

PURPOSE: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) is considered a valid instrument for use in Brazil. However, the previous Brazilian validation study included only 30 lung cancer patients and only measured test-retest reliability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQ-C30 in a sample of cancer patients at different educational levels who completed the instrument administered by an interviewer. METHODS: Data from six prospective studies conducted by the same group of researchers were combined in this study (N = 986). RESULTS: Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, all values of which were >0.7, with the exception of cognitive functioning, social functioning, and nausea and vomiting (α = 0.57, α = 0.69, and α = 0.68, respectively). In multi-trait scaling analysis, convergent and divergent validity were considered adequate (validity indices were 91.6 and 97.4%). In general, moderate to strong correlations were found between the subscales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and its respective dimensions from the WHOQOL-bref, the hospital anxiety and depression scale, and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) instruments. In addition, the EORTC QLQ-C30 was able to differentiate groups of patients with distinct performance statuses and types of treatment (known-group validation). Statistical analyses were also performed on educational status, yielding similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Detailed psychometric property data using the EORTC QLQ-C30 in Brazil are added by this study. In addition, we demonstrated that this instrument is in general reliable and valid regardless of the patient educational level.

A critical analysis of test-retest reliability in instrument validation studies of cancer patients under palliative care: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcome validation needs to achieve validity and reliability standards. Among reliability analysis parameters, test-retest reliability is an important psychometric property. Retested patients must be in a clinically stable condition. This is particularly problematic in palliative care (PC) settings because advanced cancer patients are prone to a faster rate of clinical deterioration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the methods by which multi-symptom and health-related qualities of life (HRQoL) based on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have been validated in oncological PC settings with regards to test-retest reliability. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed (1966 to June 2013), EMBASE (1980 to June 2013), PsychInfo (1806 to June 2013), CINAHL (1980 to June 2013), and SCIELO (1998 to June 2013), and specific PRO databases was performed. Studies were included if they described a set of validation studies. Studies were included if they described a set of validation studies for an instrument developed to measure multi-symptom or multidimensional HRQoL in advanced cancer patients under PC. The COSMIN checklist was used to rate the methodological quality of the study designs. RESULTS: We identified 89 validation studies from 746 potentially relevant articles. From those 89 articles, 31 measured test-retest reliability and were included in this review. Upon critical analysis of the overall quality of the criteria used to determine the test-retest reliability, 6 (19.4%), 17 (54.8%), and 8 (25.8%) of these articles were rated as good, fair, or poor, respectively, and no article was classified as excellent. Multi-symptom instruments were retested over a shortened interval when compared to the HRQoL instruments (median values 24 hours and 168 hours, respectively; p = 0.001). Validation studies that included objective confirmation of clinical stability in their design yielded better results for the test-retest analysis with regard to both pain and global HRQoL scores (p < 0.05). The quality of the statistical analysis and its description were of great concern. CONCLUSION: Test-retest reliability has been infrequently and poorly evaluated. The confirmation of clinical stability was an important factor in our analysis, and we suggest that special attention be focused on clinical stability when designing a PRO validation study that includes advanced cancer patients under PC.

Impact of a physical activity program on the anxiety, depression, occupational stress and burnout syndrome of nursing professionals.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the effects of a workplace physical activity (WPA) program on levels of anxiety, depression, burnout, occupational stress and self-perception of health and work-related quality of life of a nursing team in a palliative care unit. METHODS: the WPA was conducted five days per week, lasting ten minutes, during three consecutive months. Twenty-one nursing professionals were evaluated before and after the intervention, with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Maslch Burnout Inventory, and the Job Stress Scale. The changes in self-perceived health and work-related quality of life were measured using a semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS: the WPA did not yield significant results on the levels of anxiety, depression, burnout or occupational stress. However, after the intervention, participants reported improved perceptions of bodily pain and feeling of fatigue at work. CONCLUSION: the WPA did not lead to beneficial effects on occupational stress and psychological variables, but it was well accepted by the nursing professionals, who reported improvement in perceptions of health and work-related quality of life.

HER2 in gastric cancer: comparative analysis of three different antibodies using whole-tissue sections and tissue microarrays.

AIM: To compare the performance of three commercially available anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) antibodies in whole-tissue sections and tissue microarrays (TMAs) of a series of gastric tumors. METHODS: We present a comparative analysis of three anti-HER2 antibodies (HercepTest, 4B5 and SP3) using TMA and whole-tissue sections prepared from the same paraffin blocks of 199 gastric adenocarcinomas operated upon between January 2004 and December 2008 at a Brazilian cancer hospital. The data on the patients' age, sex, the anatomical location of the tumor and the Lauren's histological classification were collected from clinical and pathological records. The immunohistochemical (IHC) results were examined by two pathologists and the cases were classified as positive (3+), equivocal (2+) and negative (0 or 1+), according to the criteria of the IHC scoring system of gastric cancer. TMAs and whole-tissue sections were evaluated separately and independently. All cases yielding discordant IHC results and/or scored as 2+ were subjected to dual-color in situ hybridization in order to determine the final HER2 status. Besides determining the sensitivity and predictive value for HER2-positive status, we measured the accuracy of each antibody by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The agreement between the results obtained using the TMAs and those obtained using the whole-tissue sections was assessed by means of Kappa coefficient. RESULTS: Intratumoral heterogeneity of HER2 expression was observed with all antibodies. HER2-positive expression (3+) in the whole-tissue sections was observed in 23 cases (11.6%) using the 4B5 antibody, in 18 cases (9.1%) using the SP3 antibody and in 10 cases (5.1%) using the HercepTest antibody. In the TMAs, 11 positive cases (5.6%) were identified using SP3 antibody, 9 (4.6%) using the 4B5 antibody and 6 (3%) using the HercepTest antibody. The sensitivity using whole-tissue sections and TMA, respectively, was 95.2% and 42.9% with 4B5, 90.5% and 66.7% with SP3 and 47.6% and 42.9% with HercepTest. The accuracy, calculated from the area under the ROC curve, using whole-tissue sections and TMA, respectively, was 0.91 and 0.79 by 4B5, 0.86 and 0.80 by SP3 and 0.73 and 0.71 by HercepTest. The concordance of the results obtained using whole-tissue sections and TMA was 97.4% (Kappa 0.75) using HercepTest, 85.6% (Kappa 0.56) using SP3 and 84.1% (Kappa 0.38) using 4B5. CONCLUSION: The use of the 4B5 antibody on whole-tissue sections was the most accurate IHC method for evaluating HER2 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Diferentes modalidades terapeuticas no tratamento da tendinopatia do supraespinhoso / Different therapeutic modalities for the treatment of supraspinatus tendinopathy / Distintas modalidades terapéuticas para el tratamiento de la tendinopatía del supraespinoso

Verificar a eficácia de diferentes modalidades terapêuticas no tratamento da tendinopatia do supraespinhoso.Métodos: Ensaio clínico, de abordagem quantitativa e longitudinal, realizado de janeiro de 2010 a outubro de 2011 na Clínica de Fisioterapia da Universidade de Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP). Foram selecionados 24 pacientes adultos entre40 e 50 anos, de ambos os gêneros, com diagnóstico de tendinopatia do supraespinhoso. Eles foram divididos em três grupos: Grupo 1 - ultrassom e cinesioterapia convencional; Grupo 2 -laser e cinesioterapia convencional; e Grupo 3 - cinesioterapia aprimorada. Como critérios de avaliação, foram utilizados os questionários de DASHe McGill e a avaliação da amplitude de movimento (ADM) de flexão, extensão, abdução, adução, rotação interna(RI) e rotação externa (RE). Na análise estatística, foi aplicado o Modelo de Regressão com Efeitos Mistos e o teste Kruskal-Wallis, através do software SAS® 9.0. Resultados: Após os tratamentos aplicados, os 3 grupos apresentaram melhora significativa da ADM (p<0,01) para os movimentos avaliados. O Grupo 1 apresentou ganho na ADM de RI (6°) ediminuição do resultado do questionário DASH (-17,5). O Grupo 3 apresentou ganhos para os movimentos de flexão (22°), extensão (10°), abdução (26°), adução (11°) e RE (13°), e uma diminuição do resultado do questionário McGill (-18,5). Conclusão: A cinesioterapia aprimorada, abordando todas as estruturas do ombro, mostrou-se mais eficaz no ganho deADM quando comparada ao tratamento de eletroterapia e cinesioterapia convencional...

To determine the efficacy of different therapeutic modalities for the rehabilitation of supraspinatus tendinopathy. Methods: Clinical trial using a quantitative and longitudinalapproach, conducted from January 2010 to October 2011 at the Physiotherapy Clinic of theUniversity of Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP). Twenty-four adult patients of both genders, aged 40 to 50 years, with a diagnosis of supraspinatus tendinopathy, were selected and dividedinto three groups: Group 1 - ultrasound and standard kinesiotherapy; Group 2 - laser and standard kinesiotherapy; and Group 3 - enhanced kinesiotherapy. As criteria for evaluation were applied the DASH and McGill questionnaires and the assessment of range of motion (ROM) of flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation (IR), and external rotation (ER). Data was analyzed statistically using the Mixed Effects Regression Model and the Kruskal-Wallis test, with the aid of the SAS™ 9.0 software. Results: After the treatments applied, all 3 groups showed a significant improvement of ROM (p<0.01) for the evaluated movements. Group 1 showed gain of ROM in IR (6°), and reduction in the score of the DASHquestionnaire (-17.5). Group 3 showed gains for the movements of flexion (22°), extension (10°), abduction (26°), adduction (11°), and ER (13°), and a reduction in the score of theMcGill questionnaire (-18.5).Conclusion: The enhanced kinesiotherapy, involving all thestructures of the shoulder, was more effective regarding ROM gain in most of the parameters evaluated, in comparison with the electrotherapy and conventional kinesiotherapy...

Verificar la eficacia de distintas modalidades terapéuticas en el tratamiento de la tendinopatia del supraespinoso. Métodos: Ensayo clínico de abordaje cuantitativo y longitudinal, realizado entre enero de 2010 y octubre de 2011 en la Clínica de Fisioterapia de la Universidad de Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP). Fueron seleccionados 24 pacientes adultosentre los 40 y 50 años, de ambos géneros, con diagnóstico de tendinopatÍa del supraespinoso. Ellos fueron divididos en tres grupos: Grupo 1 – ultrason y cinesioterapia convencional;Grupo 2 – laser y cinesioterapia convencional; y Grupo 3 –cinesioterapia primorosa. Los criterios de evaluación utilizados fueron los cuestionarios de DASH y McGill y la evaluación de laamplitud de movimiento (ADM) de flexión, extensión, abducción, aducción, rotación interna (RI) y rotación externa (RE). En el análisis estadístico fue aplicado el Modelo de Regresión conEfectos Mistos y la prueba Kruskal-Wallis a través del softwareSAS® 9.0. Resultados: Después de los tratamientos aplicados, los 3 grupos presentaron mejoría significativa de la ADM (p<0,01) de los movimientos evaluados. El Grupo 1 presentó ganancia de la ADM de RI (6º) y disminución del resultado del cuestionario DASH (-17,5). El Grupo 3 presentó ganancias de los movimientosde flexión (22º), extensión (10º), abducción (26º), aducción (11º)y RE (13º), y una disminución del resultado del cuestionario McGill (-18,5). Conclusión: La cinesioterapia primorosa, incluyendo todas las estructuras del hombro, se mostró más eficaz en la ganancia de ADM al compararla con el tratamiento deelectroterapia y cinesioterapia convencional...

The Hospital de Câncer de Barretos Registry: an analysis of cancer survival at a single institution in Brazil over a 10-year period.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies that describe cancer survival statistics at specific hospitals are scarce. Cancer registries, which are collections of cancer patient characteristics, treatment and outcome data, help determine quality of care and treatment indicators. METHODS: This study analysed data from patients treated between 2000 and 2009 at the Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, a referral cancer hospital in Brazil. The analysis included all cases among the nine most common types of cancer diagnosed between 2000 and 2009. The main characteristics of the patients, tumours, treatment procedures and survival were described and discussed. The five-year survival rate of patients with cancer diagnosed between 2000 and 2005 were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Multivariable analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: It was analyzed 42,825 cancer cases relating to the nine primary locations in more frequent at the institution. Most of the patients were men (52.8%) and over the age of 60 years (65.1%). Approximately 1% of the treated cancers were not staged, and 0.4% lacked follow-up data. Excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer, the most common tumours were prostate and breast cancer, which were mainly diagnosed at early stages. Five-year survival for these cancers were 78.2% and 74.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: During this ten-year period, the Hospital de Câncer de Barretos Registry collected, processed and analysed data related to all cases treated at the institution, providing relevant information about patient characteristics and survival.

Association between particulate matter air pollution and monthly inhalation and nebulization procedures in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil.

The study was designed to investigate the impact of air pollution on monthly inhalation/nebulization procedures in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil, from 2004 to 2010. To assess the relationship between the procedures and particulate matter (PM(10)) a Bayesian Poisson regression model was used, including a random factor that captured extra-Poisson variability between counts. Particulate matter was associated with the monthly number of inhalation/nebulization procedures, but the inclusion of covariates (temperature, precipitation, and season of the year) suggests a possible confounding effect. Although other studies have linked particulate matter to an increasing number of visits due to respiratory morbidity, the results of this study suggest that such associations should be interpreted with caution.

Association between particulate matter air pollution and monthly inhalation and nebulization procedures in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil / Associação entre a poluição atmosférica por material particulado e contagens mensais de procedimentos de inalação e nebulização em Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil

The study was designed to investigate the impact of air pollution on monthly inhalation/nebulization procedures in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil, from 2004 to 2010. To assess the relationship between the procedures and particulate matter (PM10) a Bayesian Poisson regression model was used, including a random factor that captured extra-Poisson variability between counts. Particulate matter was associated with the monthly number of inhalation/nebulization procedures, but the inclusion of covariates (temperature, precipitation, and season of the year) suggests a possible confounding effect. Although other studies have linked particulate matter to an increasing number of visits due to respiratory morbidity, the results of this study suggest that such associations should be interpreted with caution.

O objetivo foi investigar os possíveis efeitos da poluição atmosférica nas contagens mensais de procedimentos de inalação/nebulização no Município de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil, no período de 2004 a 2010. Para verificar a relação existente entre os procedimentos e o material particulado (MP10) foi assumido um modelo bayesiano de regressão de Poisson, na presença de um fator aleatório que captura a variabilidade extra Poisson entre as contagens. O material particulado mostrou-se associado ao número de inalações/nebulizações, mas a inserção de covariáveis (temperatura, precipitação e estação) sugere um possível efeito de confundimento. Embora outros estudos relacionem o material particulado com o aumento do número de atendimentos em decorrência de morbidades, os resultados do presente trabalho sugerem que estas associações devem ser interpretadas com cautela.