Epidemiologic study of cluster headache prevalence in a medium-size city in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of cluster headache (CH) in Barbacena, a medium-size city in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: The total population of Barbacena is 126,284 inhabitants and the Family Health Strategy Program covers 84,610 of them. In order to identify patients with cluster headache, 36,145 of these inhabitants were screened, following which, a questionnaire was completed by 181 health agents distributed throughout the 28 health posts belonging to the Family Health Strategy network. The completed questionnaires were selected based on the clinical criteria established by the International Headache Society, and those patients (18 years of age or older) with a possible CH diagnosis were later assessed by a headache specialist. This was an observational, cross-sectional study. RESULTS: In all, 15 patients were diagnosed as having CH, comprising a prevalence of 0.0414%; or 41.4/100,000 inhabitants. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of cluster headache in Barbacena was lower than that observed in many locations worldwide.

Epidemiologic study of cluster headache prevalence in a medium-size city in Brazil / Estudo epidemiológico da prevalência da cefaleia em salvas em uma cidade de médio porte do Brasil

ABSTRACT To determine the prevalence of cluster headache (CH) in Barbacena, a medium-size city in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods The total population of Barbacena is 126,284 inhabitants and the Family Health Strategy Program covers 84,610 of them. In order to identify patients with cluster headache, 36,145 of these inhabitants were screened, following which, a questionnaire was completed by 181 health agents distributed throughout the 28 health posts belonging to the Family Health Strategy network. The completed questionnaires were selected based on the clinical criteria established by the International Headache Society, and those patients (18 years of age or older) with a possible CH diagnosis were later assessed by a headache specialist. This was an observational, cross-sectional study. Results In all, 15 patients were diagnosed as having CH, comprising a prevalence of 0.0414%; or 41.4/100,000 inhabitants. Conclusion The prevalence of cluster headache in Barbacena was lower than that observed in many locations worldwide.

RESUMO Determinar a prevalência de cefaléia em Salvas (CS) em Barbacena, uma cidade de tamanho médio do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Métodos A população total de Barbacena, totaliza 126.284 habitantes e o Programa de Estratégia de Saúde da Família cobre 84.610 deles. A fim de identificar pacientes com Cefaléia em Salvas, 36.145 deles foram rastreados através de um questionário que foi completado por 181 agentes de saúde, distribuídos entre os 28 postos de saúde pertencentes à rede de Estratégia de Saúde da Família. Os questionários preenchidos foram selecionados com base nos critérios clínicos estabelecidos pela International Headache Society, e aqueles pacientes (com idade igual ou maior de 18 anos) com um possível diagnóstico de CH foram posteriormente avaliados por um especialista em dor de cabeça. Este é um estudo observacional, transversal. Resultados No total, 15 pacientes foram diagnosticados com CH, compreendendo uma prevalência de 0,0414%; ou 41,4 / 100,000 habitantes. Conclusão A prevalência de Cefaleia em Salvas em Barbacena foi menor do que a observada em muitos locais do mundo.

Transesterification of vegetable oils: Simulating the replacement of batch reactors with continuous reactors.

A kinetic model was employed to represent biodiesel production via transesterification of vegetable oils. Reaction rate constants found in the open literature were used in order to compare the behavior of batch and continuous processes. A single continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) under the usual operation conditions was not capable of achieving the same productivity as a batch process. However, when reactors in series were used, the continuous process presented a behavior similar to batch processes. As a result, it was evidenced that a series of CSTRs can be an industrially feasible choice for replacing batch transesterification reactors in large scale biodiesel plants. Further, it was shown that the loss in productivity caused by changing from batch to continuous process can be compensated by means of using higher catalyst concentrations.