Impact of allergic rhinitis control on work productivity and costs: a real-world data MASK-air study.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) has a substantial socioeconomic impact associated with impaired work productivity. OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of AR on work productivity and estimate the corresponding indirect costs for 40 countries. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using direct patient data from the MASK-air® app on users with self-reported AR. We used the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: Allergy Specific to measure the impact of AR on work productivity (presenteeism and absenteeism). Weekly indirect costs were estimated per country, for each level of rhinitis control and considering patients with and without asthma. RESULTS: We assessed data from 677 weeks (364 patients), 280 of which were reported by patients with asthma. Regarding presenteeism, the median impact of AR in weeks of poor disease control was 60.7% (P25-P75=24.9-74.2%), while partial and good disease control were respectively associated with an impact of 25.0% (P25-P75=12.1-42.4%) and 4.4% (P25-75=0.8-12.9%). In poorly-controlled weeks, presenteeism was associated with indirect costs ranging from 65.7 US Dollars purchase power parity (US$ PPPs) (P25-P75=29.2-143.2) in Brazil to 693.6 US$ PPP (P25-P75=405.2-1094.9) in Iceland. Median absenteeism per week was of 0% for all levels of rhinitis control. Patients with AR+asthma showed higher overall work impairment than patients with AR alone, particularly in poorly-controlled weeks (median work impairment in AR alone=39.1% [P25-P75=12.5-71.9%]; median work impairment in AR+asthma=68.4% [P25-P75=54.6-80.2%]). CONCLUSION: Poor AR control was associated with decreased work productivity and increased indirect costs, particularly in patients with AR+asthma. The estimates from this study underpin the economic burden of AR.

Clock drawing test in mild cognitive impairment: Correlation with cerebral perfusion in single-photon emission computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand the relationship between the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and decreased blood flow in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, using single-photon emission computed tomography. METHOD: We characterized regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and the correlation with clinical variables and future conversion to dementia in 94 amnestic MCI patients. Blood perfusion data was correlated with the CDT (quantitative and qualitative scores) in order to evaluate their relationship and usefulness in predicting conversion to dementia. RESULTS: MCI patients displayed reduced rCBF in brain areas including the caudate nucleus; the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes; as well as the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. The decrease in rCBF was higher for patients who later developed dementia. At baseline, CDT scores of these patients correlated with hypoperfusion in cortical and subcortical areas typically affected in Alzheimer's disease (AD) median 3 years before developing dementia. CDT total score was significantly correlated with rCBF in the left temporal lobe and the putamen; the analysis of rCBF in Brodmann areas showed significant correlations between the several clock elements (face, numbers, and hands), underlying qualitative errors (stimulus-bound response and conceptual deficit), and rCBF, most significantly in the left inferior temporal gyrus, posterior entorhinal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, left parahippocampal cortex, and left inferior prefrontal gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that a quantitative score and a qualitative assessment of clock drawing (error analysis) corresponded to dysfunction in AD key areas at an early stage, supporting the CDT utility in the detection of prodromal AD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Affirmative Competence and Practices of Mental Health Professionals with LGB clients: An Ibero-American Study.

There are not many studies about affirmative competence and practices among mental health professionals working with Lesbian, Gay, and/or Bisexual (LGB) clients. Thus, the objectives of this research are to assess the levels of affirmative competence and practices of professionals in Ibero-American countries. The sample consists of 630 mental health professionals from various countries whose ages range from 22 to 75 years old, with a mean age of 41.46 years. The study utilizes the following measures: a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale, and the Affirmative Practice Questionnaire. Results show that mental health professionals who present higher levels of Affirmative Competence are those who have higher levels of education and training on LGBT topics, show left-wing political affiliations, self-identify as LGB, and have no religious affiliations. Regarding Affirmative Practices, it was found that single participants show lower practices, and more studies are needed to better understand this result. Regression models demonstrate that Affirmative Practices and Competences are predicted by the hypothesized variables, namely, religious and political beliefs, and training/education. Hence, this study indicates that mental health professionals could undergo some type of academic or professional training and/or possess experience in regard to working with LGB clients, in order to enhance their approach when working with this population.

High Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus on Anal and Oral Samples from Men and Women with External Anogenital Warts: The HERCOLES Study.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is highly prevalent in the sexually active population. This study estimates the prevalence of HPV DNA in anal and oral samples from a cohort of men and women with incident anogenital warts. Anal and/or oral samples from 541 patients with anogenital warts were tested for 35 HPV genotypes using a PCR assay. The overall prevalence of anal HPV and oral HPV DNA was 59.9% (n = 305/509; 95% confidence interval (CI) 55.6-64.1%) and 14.5% (n = 78/538; 95% CI 11.8-17.7%), respectively. Among patients with perianal warts, the anal HPV DNA prevalence was 92.3% (95% CI 87.0-95.5%). Anal HPV DNA prevalence in patients with genital warts but no perianal warts was 55.7% (95% CI 50.6-60.7%). Both anal and oral HPV infections were more common in men who have sex with men than in heterosexual men (90.4% versus 38.5% and 20.8% versus 11.8%, respectively). Anal high risk-HPV infection was more common in women (58.8%) and in men who have sex with men (67.7%). We found that anogenital warts represent a clinical marker for both anal and oral HPV infections, including anal high risk-HPV infections, particularly among women and men who have sex with men.

Transcranial Sonography and DaTSCAN in Early Stage Parkinson's Disease and Essential Tremor.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) can sometimes be a challenge in the early stages of the disease. Both transcranial sonography (TCS) and DaTSCAN are recommended as auxiliary examinations for the differential diagnosis of PD; however, only few data exist regarding their diagnostic accuracy in the early stage of PD and essential tremor (ET). METHODS: We evaluated patients with clinically suspected diagnosis of PD at early stages (Hoehn and Yahr ≤2) or ET. All patients underwent DaTSCAN and TCS with a maximum interval of 6 months. Final diagnosis was established after 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: From the 63 patients recruited, 3 were excluded due to transcranial insonability and 2 for uncertain clinical diagnosis. The final clinical diagnosis was ET in 44.8% and PD in 55.2%. Compared to clinical diagnosis of PD, TCS had a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 96.2%; DaTSCAN sensitivity was 84.4% and specificity was 96.2%. Both diagnostic tests demonstrated a substantial level of agreement (Cohen's kappa coefficient: 0.83, 95% CI 0.68-0.97, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: TCS and DaTSCAN have similar diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of early stage PD versus ET.

Rest myocardial perfusion imaging: a valuable tool in ED.

BACKGROUND: Acute chest pain is a frequent cause of emergency department (ED) visits. Rest myocardial perfusion imaging (RMPI) during or immediately after an episode of chest pain can provide diagnostic and prognostic information concerning acute coronary syndromes. AIM: Our purpose was to evaluate the RMPI score in risk stratification of chest pain suspected to be of cardiac ischemic origin and negative troponin assessment. METHODS: Ninety-six patients without an ongoing myocardial infarction or a history of coronary artery disease and in whom RMPI was performed in the ED because of chest pain suspected to be related with acute myocardial ischemia were included. Follow-up was performed considering the occurrence of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization in a 12-month period admission. RESULTS: Fourteen (14.6%) patients had events. According to survival analysis, the variables related with events were a history of angina (hazard ratio [HR], 4.5; P ≤ .01), an ischemic electrocardiogram (HR, 4.0; P ≤ .01), the abnormal RMPI (HR, 11.4; P ≤ .05), and the RMPI score (HR, 1.1; P ≤ .0001). When the variables of interest were forced into a multivariate model, the χ(2) associated with the model that includes clinical and electrocardiogram information was 16.3 (P ≤ .005) and in the model that also includes RMPI score, it was 23.0 (P ≤ .0005). CONCLUSION: In a low- to intermediate-risk group of patients with suspected acute myocardial ischemia, RMPI gives not only diagnostic information but adds prognostic value to the traditional ED risk stratification tools.

Prognosis of normal stress-only gated-SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging: a single center study.

It has been advocated that using the stress followed by rest protocol, if the stress images were normal there is no need of rest images, reducing radiation exposure and costs. Our purpose was to assess the prognosis of a group of patients with normal stress-only gated-SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging. This was retrospective study that includes 790 patients with normal myocardial stress only perfusion gated SPECT images. Images were considered as normal if a homogeneous myocardial distribution of the tracer was associated with a normal ejection fraction. The mean follow-up was of 42.8 ± 13.3 months. The considered events were death of all causes, myocardial infarction and myocardial revascularization. During this period there were 85 events (10.8 %), including 57 deaths of all causes (67.1 %), 9 myocardial infarctions (10.6 %), 19 revascularizations (2.4 %). In the first year of follow-up there were 32 events (4.0 %) and excluding non cardiac deaths there were 8 events (1.0 %). Using Cox survival analysis, diabetes (HR = 2.2; CI = 1.4-3.4; p ≤ 0.0005), the history of coronary artery disease (CAD) (HR = 2.1; CI = 1.3-3.2; p ≤ 0.001), age (HR = 1.0; CI = 1.0-1.0; p ≤ 0.05) and type of stress protocol were related with events (exercise test vs. adenosine) (Exercise test: HR = 0.5; CI = 0.3-0.8; p ≤ 0.01). In a multivariate analysis the independent predictors were diabetes, CAD and the type of stress protocol. Based on these results, normal stress-only images are associated with an excellent prognosis even in patients at higher risk, diabetics and patients with known CAD.

Left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony in patients with impaired left ventricular function undergoing gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging.

INTRODUCTION: Gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) has been used to quantify mechanical dyssynchrony. Mechanical dyssynchrony appears to be related to response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence and predictors of mechanical dyssynchrony in patients with impaired left ventricular function (LVEF) ≤50%. METHODS: The study included 143 consecutive patients referred for gated SPECT MPI with LVEF ≤50%. Gated SPECT MPI was performed according to a stress/rest protocol acquiring images with Tc 99m-tetrofosmin. Emory Cardiac Toolbox software was used for phase analysis and a standard deviation (SD) ≥43° was considered to indicate mechanical dyssynchrony. RESULTS: Mechanical dyssynchrony was present in 53.1% of the patients. Its predictors were diabetes (OR 2.0, p≤0.05), summed stress score (OR 1.1, p≤0.0005), summed rest score (OR 1.1, p≤0.0001), end-diastolic volume (OR 1.0, p≤0.0001), LVEF (OR 0.9, p≤0.0001), LVEF ≤35% (OR 3.1, p≤0.005) and LVEF ≤35% and QRS ≥120 ms (OR 3.5, p≤0.05). In this study QRS width and QRS ≥120 ms were not predictors of mechanical dyssynchrony. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial perfusion imaging can be used to assess mechanical dyssynchrony. In patients with impaired ventricular function mechanical dyssynchrony was highly prevalent and was related to parameters of left ventricular function and perfusion.

Human papillomavirus type distribution in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3 and cervical cancer in Portugal: a CLEOPATRE II Study.

OBJECTIVE: Cervical cancer is the third most frequent cancer in women, worldwide and etiologically associated with infection by human papillomavirus (HPV). Following the results of the first epidemiologic population-based CLEOPATRE study in Portugal, it was important to understand the HPV type-specific distribution in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades 2 and 3 and invasive cervical cancer (ICC). METHODS: This was an observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection. Between January 2008 and May 2009, paraffin-embedded samples of histologically confirmed cases of CIN2, CIN3, and ICC were collected from the 5 regional health administrations in mainland Portugal. Eligible samples were sent to 2 central laboratories for histological reassessment and HPV genotyping. Prevalence estimates were calculated together with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 582 samples, 177 cases of CIN2, 341 of CIN3, and 64 of ICC, were included. The mean age of participants was 41.8 years (range, 20-88 years). The overall HPV prevalence was 97.9% with a higher prevalence of high-risk genotypes, particularly HPV 16. Multiple infections were observed in 11.2% of the cases. Human papillomavirus prevalence was 95.5% in CIN2, 99.4% in CIN3, and 96.9% in ICC. The 8 more frequent genotypes in order of decreasing frequency were HPV 16, 31, 58, 33, 51, 52, 18, and 35 in CIN2 and HPV 16, 31, 33, 58, 52, 35, 18, and 51 in CIN3. In ICC cases, the 12 detected HPV genotypes were HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, and 73. However, HPV 53 and 73 were always associated to other high-risk genotypes. Human papillomavirus types 31, 51, 52, 56, and 59 were detected in 1 case each. CONCLUSIONS: Human papillomavirus prevalence and patterns of type-specific HPV positivity were comparable with other studies. Current HPV vaccines should protect against HPV genotypes responsible for 77.4% of ICC in Portugal.

[Hospital readmissions in Portugal over the last decade]. / Reinternamentos Hospitalares em Portugal na Última Década.

INTRODUCTION: Hospital readmissions are associated with increased healthcare expenses and with higher hospital fatality rates. We aim to characterize unplanned hospital readmissions occurred within 30 days after discharge, according to its Major Diagnosis Category, hospital type and location, and patients' demographic attributes. We also intend to estimate the hospital fatality rates associated to those readmissions, as well as to study the evolution of hospital readmissions rates in the last decade (2000-2008). Moreover, we aim to characterize heart failure readmissions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed a database (provided by Autoridade Central do Sistema de Saúde) containing all hospital admissions occurred in Portuguese public hospitals. In order to compare readmissions rates, we performed chi-square tests and linear-by-linear association tests. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2008, there were 5 514 331 unplanned admissions, of which 4.1% corresponded to hospital readmissions, classified with the same Major Diagnosis Category of the first admission. Between 2000 and 2008, hospital readmissions rate increased continuously from 3.0% to 4.7%. Hospital fatality rate was significantly higher among readmitted cases (9.5 versus 5.6%, p < 0.001). Readmissions rates were also significantly higher among episodes involving older patients (2.6% in children versus 5.3% in the elderly) and males (4.5% versus 3.9% in females, p < 0.001), being lower in Lisbon region (2.7%) and in central hospitals (3.0%, p < 0.001). For episodes of heart failure, we found a readmissions rate of 6.7%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Most of the differences found are consistent with those described in other Western countries. Readmission episodes, whose rates have been increasing in Portugal, are associated with higher hospital fatality rates.

Introdução: Os reinternamentos hospitalares estão associados a um incremento das despesas com a saúde e da mortalidade intrahospitalar. Neste trabalho, pretende-se caracterizar os reinternamentos hospitalares não-planeados, ocorridos num período de 30 dias após alta, de acordo com a sua Grande Categoria Diagnóstica, contexto hospitalar e características demográficas dos utentes, bem como estimar as taxas de mortalidade associadas. Pretende-se também estudar a evolução da taxa de reinternamentos na última década (2000-2008). Procurar-se-á ainda caracterizar os reinternamentos por insuficiência cardíaca.Material e Métodos: Procedeu-se à análise estatística da base de dados de internamentos hospitalares públicos fornecida pelaAutoridade Central do Sistema de Saúde. Recorreu-se aos testes do qui-quadrado e de tendência para comparação de taxas dereinternamentos.Resultados: Das 5 514 331 hospitalizações não-planeadas no período em estudo, 4,1% corresponderam a reinternamentos hospitalares. Entre 2000 e 2008, a taxa de reinternamentos hospitalares aumentou continuamente de 3,0% para 4,7%. A mortalidade hospitalar foi significativamente maior entre os episódios de reinternamento (9,5%) do que nos restantes episódios (5,6%), p < 0,001. A taxa de reinternamentos foi significativamente maior em homens (4,5% versus 3,9% nas mulheres, p < 0,001) e doentes mais velhos (2,6% nas crianças e 5,3% nos idosos), sendo menor na região de Lisboa (2,7%) e nos hospitais centrais (3,0%, p < 0,001). Para os episódios de insuficiência cardíaca, foi obtida uma taxa de reinternamentos de 6,7%.Discussão e Conclusão: Em termos gerais, as diferenças encontradas são similares às descritas noutros Países Ocidentais. Os episódios de reinternamento, cujas taxas têm vindo a aumentar em Portugal, estão associados a maior mortalidade intra-hospitalar.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in women in Portugal: the CLEOPATRE Portugal study.

OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for a range of diseases, including cervical cancer. The primary objectives of the CLEOPATRE Portugal study were to estimate the overall and age-stratified prevalence of cervical HPV infection and to assess HPV prevalence and type-specific distribution by cytological results among women aged 18 to 64 years, who reside in mainland Portugal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional population-based study recruited women aged 18 to 64 years, according to an age-stratified sampling strategy, who attended gynecology/obstetrics or sexually transmitted disease clinics across the 5 regional health administrations in mainland Portugal between 2008 and 2009. Liquid-based cytology samples were collected and analyzed centrally for HPV genotyping (clinical array HPV 2 assay) and cytology. Prevalence estimates were adjusted for age using 2007 Portuguese census data. RESULTS: A total of 2326 women were included in the study. The overall prevalence of HPV infection in the study was 19.4% (95% confidence interval, 17.8%-21.0%), with the highest prevalence in women aged 18 to 24 years. High-risk HPV types were detected in 76.5% of infections, of which 36.6% involved multiple types. The commonest high-risk type was HPV-16. At least 1 of the HPV types 6/11/16/18 was detected in 32.6% of infections. The HPV prevalence in normal cytology samples was 16.5%. There was a statistically significant association between high-risk infection and cytological abnormalities (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first population-based study to quantify and describe cervical HPV infection in mainland Portugal. This study provides baseline data for future assessment of the impact of HPV vaccination programs.

Voice parameters in children with Down syndrome.

Down syndrome (DS) is the most frequent chromosomal disorder. Commonly, individuals with DS have difficulties with speech and show an unusual quality in the voice. Their phenotypic characteristics include general hypotonia and maxillary hypoplasia with relative macroglossia, and these contribute to particular acoustic alterations. Subjective perceptual and acoustic assessments of the voice (Praat-4.1 software) were performed in 66 children with DS, 36 boys and 30 girls, aged 3 to 8 years. These data were compared with those of an age-matched group of children from the general population. Perceptual evaluations showed significant differences in the group of children with DS. The voice of children with DS presented a lower fundamental frequency (F(0)) with elevated dispersion. The conjunction of frequencies for formants (F(1) and F(2)) revealed a decreased distinction between the vowels, reflecting the loss of articulatory processing. The DS vocalic anatomical functional ratio represents the main distinctive parameter between the two groups studied, and it may be useful in conducting assessments.

Brain blood flow SPET imaging in heroin abusers.

To assess whether chronic heroin abuse may generate vascular central nervous deficits, we studied the profile of vascular alterations in 17 heroin addicts (14 males mean age 31 years, range 23-39 years and 3 females mean age 33 years, range 30-35 years) before and, in one of them, 10 weeks after an ultra-rapid heroin detoxification. Using the functional technique of single-photon emission tomography (SPET) with 740 MBq of (99m)Tc-hexametazine (HMPAO) and computational brain-mapping techniques by means of a Talairach analysis, we determined the pattern of vascular brain alterations associated with chronic heroin abuse. Compared with controls, subjects who had used heroin chronically showed a decrease of global brain perfusion that was more significant in the frontal cortex-mainly in orbito-frontal regions, as well as in the occipital and temporal lobes. All patients showed marked asymmetric perfusion of the basal ganglia and the majority of them showed also an asymmetric perfusion of cerebellum. In addition, there were small activated areas dispersed in the occipital lobe (3 of 17) and apex region (4 of 17). In conclusion, decreased perfusion in heroin addicts was found in regions involved in the control of attention, motor speed, memory and visual-spatial processing. The prefrontal cortex is involved in decision making and inhibitory control, processes disturbed in heroin addicts who have stopped heroin consumption. A reduction in regional perfusion may reflect ongoing subtle neurocognitive deficits, which are consistent with the maintenance of asymmetry of the basal nuclei.