Influence of Specimen Dimension, Water Immersion Protocol, and Surface Roughness on Water Sorption and Solubility of Resin-Based Restorative Materials.

The evaluation of water sorption and solubility is pivotal for the development of new resin-based restorative materials with the potential for clinical application. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the specimen dimension, water immersion protocol, and surface roughness on the water sorption and solubility of three resin-based restorative materials. Disk-shaped specimens of 15 mm × 1 mm, 10 mm × 1 mm, and 6 mm × 1 mm were produced with a composite resin (Z100), a resin cement (RelyX ARC), and an adhesive system (Single Bond 2-SB2). The specimens were immersed in distilled water according to four protocols: ISO (all the specimens for each group were vertically immersed in 50 mL); IV-10 (the specimens were individually and vertically immersed in 10 mL); IH-10 (the specimens were individually and horizontally immersed in 10 mL); and IH-2 (the specimens were individually and horizontally immersed in 2 mL). The surface roughness (Sa and Sp) was evaluated using an atomic force microscope, and the degree of conversion was determined using FT-IR spectrometry. The specimen dimension and water immersion protocol had no effect on water sorption and solubility. For the three resin-based restorative materials, Sp was higher than Sa. The degree of conversion was not influenced by the specimen dimension. The variations in the specimen dimension and water immersion protocol compared to those determined by ISO 4049 did not prevent the comparison between the values of water sorption and solubility obtained for a given resin-based restorative material.

Evolution of roughness and optical properties of resin composites submitted to whitening toothpastes-cigarette smoking cycling.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of cycling whitening toothpaste with cigarette smoking (WTCS) on the evolution of roughness, color, translucency, and gloss of microfilled, microhybrid, and nanofilled resin composites. METHODS: 15 specimens of Durafill - DVS, Empress Direct - ED, and Z350 - FZ were divided into three groups according to the toothpastes:: conventional, control group, (Colgate - C) and Whitening (Colgate Luminous White - CW and Oral B 3D White - OW) and roughness, color, translucency, and gloss were evaluated before and after the specimens were submitted to WTCS for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA, 3-way repeated measures ANOVA, and Tukey HSD post hoc test (α= 0.05). RESULTS: Only ED and FZ brushed with CW and FZ brushed with C presented an increase in roughness after WTCS. The three composites suffered a significant color alteration after WTCS. Excepting DVS brushed with CW, all the other groups presented a significant reduction in translucency after WTCS. DVS was the only resin composite that maintained its gloss stability after WTCS. Whitening toothpastes behaved similarly to conventional (control) toothpaste regarding the evolution of roughness and optical stability of the three resin composites. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Whitening toothpastes were not capable of maintaining the color stability of the three resin composites after 8 weeks of toothpastes-cigarette smoking cycling.

Incidence of Reported Flu-Like Syndrome Cases in Brazilian Health Care Workers in 2020 (March to June).

Health care workers (HCWs) are at an increased risk of being exposed to COVID-19. This study aimed to characterize flu-like syndrome cases (FS) in HCWs notified in Brazil and compare them with FS cases in the general community (GC). In the Brazilian protocol, FS corresponds to a suspected case of COVID-19. The manuscript analyzed cases of FS in five Brazilian states, estimating the incidence rates of cases of FS and clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Registered cases (March to June 2020) totaled about 1,100,000 cases of FS. HCWs represented 17% of the registers, whose incidence was 20.41/100 vs. 2.15/100 in the GC. FS cases in HCWs concentrated the highest percentages in the age group of 30 to 49 years (65.15%) and among the nursing staff (46.86%). This study was the first interstate evaluation in Brazil to estimate suspected cases of FS by COVID-19 in HCWs. In order to control the spread of viral respiratory infections in HCWs, including COVID-19, it is necessary to review the management of health information to identify who they are, how many they are, and to what situations these workers are most frequently exposed, as well as in what professions they have. This information can guide specific, practical, and far-reaching actions.

COVID-19: estudo de protocolos de proteção individual para profissionais da saúde / COVID-19: a study of personal protection protocols for health workers

Resumo Objetivo: realizar comparação interpaíses e entre estados brasileiros quanto ao conteúdo dos protocolos de proteção para profissionais de saúde que atuam na assistência aos doentes da COVID-19 e desenvolver análise crítica ao modelo de prevenção que adota indicação e uso de equipamentos de proteção individual (EPI) como resposta única a um problema de caráter multidimensional. Métodos: estudo exploratório com base em revisões disponíveis na biblioteca Cochrane, articuladas com a análise dos protocolos nacionais de Argentina, Brasil, China e Estados Unidos da América e as normas previstas nos estados do Amazonas, Bahia, Minas Gerais e São Paulo, todos selecionados por critérios de conveniência. Resultados: observou-se dissensos quanto aos tipos de proteção recomendados. Somente na China eram indicados respiradores de alta eficiência de filtragem, além de modelos para o rosto inteiro nos casos de procedimentos invasivos. O reuso de equipamentos não é indicado, mas estava autorizado no protocolo brasileiro. Quanto aos dispositivos de vestuário, também não há convergência. Conclusão: os resultados reforçam a necessidade de revisão dos protocolos de proteção dos profissionais da saúde que atuam no enfrentamento da Covid-19. Ações em busca de debate institucional, interpaíses e interestaduais sobre modelos de prevenção são essenciais para alcançar consistência nas recomendações.

Abstract Objective: to make a comparison between countries and between Brazilian states regarding the contents of protection protocols for COVID-19 healthcare workers and to undertake a critical analysis of the prevention model that adopts the recommendation and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as the only response to a multidimensional problem. Methods: exploratory study based on revisions available at the Cochrane Library, articulated with the analysis of the national protocols of Argentina, Brazil, China, and the United States of America and those of the states of Amazonas, Bahia, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo, all selected by convenience criteria. Results: there were differences between the recommended types of protection. Only China recommended high filtration efficiency respirators as well equipment covering the whole face for invasive procedures. Reusing the equipment is not recommended, but it was authorized in the Brazilian protocol. There was also no convergency about clothing devices. Conclusion: the results reinforce the need for revision of the protocols for the protection of health workers dealing with the COVID-19. Actions to promote institutional, inter-country and interstate debate on prevention models are essential for achieving consistency in the recommendations.

COVID-19: Limits on the implementation of personal protective equipments recommended to health care professionals / COVID-19: Limites na implantação dos equipamentos de proteção individuais recomendados aos profissionais de saúde

Aim: Comparing national protocols and Brazilian state protocols about how, when and which sort of individual protection equipment's should be used during the assistance of the patients infected with the COVID 19, as well as developing a criticism of the predominant model of implantation that guides the structure of these protocols. Methods: Exploratory study in line with the short period (two months) since the recognizing of the pandemic character of the sanitary crisis. The results available in the Cochrane´s Library had articulated with elements of protocols from Argentina, Brazil, China, United States of America, and states of Amazonas, Bahia, Minas Gerais and São Paulo, all of them selected by convenience. Results: It had observed disagreement, mainly related with the sort of indicated respiratory protection. Only in China the high potency of filtration respirators has indicated, besides models covering the whole face for invasive procedures. Except for São Paulo, the others states do not recommend reuse of equipment. There is no convergence for the materials of the clothing items. Conclusion: The results are tips for the health care professionals' protocols' for the new coronavirus review.

Objetivo: Comparar protocolos nacionais e protocolos nacionais brasileiros sobre quando, como e que tipo de equipamentos de proteção indivíduos utilizam durante a assistência aos pacientes do COVID-19, bem como desenvolver uma crítica ao modelo predominante de implantação desses equipamentos que orientam a estrutura desses protocolos . Métodos: Estudo exploratório, em consonância a um curto período (dois meses) desde o reconhecimento de caracteres pandêmicos da crise sanitária, resultados de análises disponíveis na Biblioteca Cochrane com elementos dos protocolos da Argentina, Brasil, China e Estados Unidos da América e Estados do Amazonas, Bahia, Minas Gerais e São Paulo, todos selecionados por conveniência. Resultados: Observe-se dissenso, principalmente quanto ao tipo de proteção respiratória indicada. Somente na China pode usar respiradores de alta potência de filtragem, além de modelos para o rosto inteiro nos casos de procedimentos invasivos. Os estados brasileiros, com exceção de São Paulo, não recomendam reuso de equipamentos. Quanto aos materiais dos itens de vestuário, não há convergência. Conclusão: Os resultados são pistas para a revisão de protocolos de proteção de profissionais da saúde ao novo coronavírus.

Fabrication and characterization of remineralizing dental composites containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles.

The aim of this study was to fabricate and characterize dental composites containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HApNPs). Four dental composites were produced from the same organic matrix (70 wt% Bis-GMA and 30 wt% TEGDMA), with partial replacement of BaBSi particles (65 wt%) by HApNPs in the following concentrations (wt%): E0 (0) - control, E10 (10), E20 (20) and E30 (30). Ca2+ and PO43- release was evaluated in solutions with different pHs (4, 5.5, and 7) using atomic emission spectroscopy with microwave-induced nitrogen plasma while the enamel remineralization potential was evaluated in caries-like enamel lesions induced by S. mutans biofilm using micro-CT. The following properties were characterized: degree of conversion (DC%), microhardness (KHN), flexural strength (FS), elastic modulus (EM) and translucency (TP). The higher the HApNPs content, the higher the Ca2+ and PO43- release. The ions release was influenced by pH (4 > 5.5 > 7) (p < 0.05). All composites loaded with HApNPs were able to remineralize the enamel (E30 = E20 > E10) (p < 0.05). Contrarily, E0 was not able of recovering the enamel mineral loss. E0 and E10 presented highest DC%, while E20 and E30 showed similar and lowest DC%. KHN and FS were decreased with the addition of HApNPs, while EM was not influenced by the incorporation of HApNPs. E10 presented statistically similar TP to E0, while this property decreased for E20 and E30 (p < 0.05). Incorporation of HApNPs into dental composites promoted enamel remineralization, mainly at potentially cariogenic pH (= 4), while maintained their overall performance in terms of physicomechanical properties.

Fatores associados à prática de atividade física de idosos diabéticos da atenção básica / Factors associated with the practice of physical activity in older diabetic primary care patients

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o conhecimento científico produzido em relação aos fatores associados à prática de atividade física de idosos diabéticos assistidos na atenção primária à saúde no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa, e a busca por estudos ocorreu de forma on-line, sendo incluídos artigos originais da língua portuguesa, inglesa ou espanhola, publicados de outubro de 2008 a setembro de 2018, nas bases de dados Medical Literature and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e Scopus. Os descritores utilizados foram: idosos, diabetes mellitus, exercícios e atenção primária à saúde. A qualidade metodológica dos artigos foi avaliada por meio de dois instrumentos: Critical Appraisal Skills Programme e Hierarchy of Evidence for Intervention Studies. Após análise, quatro artigos foram incluídos. RESULTADOS: Não foram encontrados artigos com amostras constituídas apenas de idosos, e somente um deles fazia uma análise diferenciada para essa faixa etária, chamando atenção para a necessidade de estudos abordando idosos diabéticos, por causa das especificidades desses indivíduos. Nenhum dos artigos fez uso de instrumentos para avaliação da atividade física. CONCLUSÃO: A prática da atividade física esteve associada à melhora da qualidade de vida, do autocuidado e da adesão ao tratamento do diabetes mellitus, evidenciando a importância do aconselhamento dessa prática por meio dos profissionais de saúde. Fatores como frequência e tipo da prática de atividade física não foram verificados nos estudos, o que destaca a necessidade do uso de instrumentos para a sua avaliação.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the scientific knowledge produced in relation to the factors associated to the practice of physical activity of older diabetic primary care patients in Brazil. METHODS: It involved an on-line research including original articles published between October 2008 and September 2018 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, from the databases: Medline, Lilacsand Scopus. The keywords used were elderly, diabetes mellitus, exercise, and primary health care. The methodological quality of the articles was evaluated by means of two instruments: Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and Hierarchy of Evidence for Intervention Studies. After analysis, four articles were included. RESULTS: No articles were found with samples consisting only of older people, and only one of them made an exclusive analysis for this age group. There is a need for studies addressing the older diabetic individuals, due to the specificities of this population. None of the articles made use of instruments for physical activity evaluation. CONCLUSION: The practice of physical activity was associated to an improvement in quality of life, self-care, and adherence to treatment for diabetes mellitus, highlighting the importance of professional counseling. Factors such as frequency and type of physical activity were not verified in the studies, which highlights the need for the use of instruments for this evaluation.

Inflammatory Mediators and Pain in the First Year After Acute Episode of Low-Back Pain in Elderly Women: Longitudinal Data from Back Complaints in the Elders-Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to determine the course of plasma levels of inflammatory mediators (interleukin 6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α], soluble TNF receptor 1 [sTNF-R1]) and the severity of low-back pain (LBP) over 6 to 12 months after an acute episode of LBP in elderly women and to establish an association between inflammatory mediators and LBP recovery. DESIGN: This was a longitudinal study of a subsample (155 elderly women with acute LBP, aged ≥65 years) of the international Back Complaints in the Elders cohort study. Plasma levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and sTNF-R1 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and pain severity using the numerical pain scale. RESULTS: There was a decrease in the severity of LBP (P = 0.033) and in the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α (P < 0.001) and an increase in sTNF-R1 (P < 0.001) in the first year after an acute episode of LBP. The probability of occurrence of pain relief at the 12-month follow-up was 2.22 times higher in elderly women who had low levels of IL-6 (<1.58 pg/mL) at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed a relationship between inflammation and LBP by establishing that low IL-6 plasma levels preceded outcome (LBP recovery), supporting the concept that proinflammatory cytokines promote pain.

Voice complaints among public transport workers in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of voice complaints among bus transport workers in a metropolitan area in Brazil and examine whether sociodemographic and occupational factors were associated with this outcome. This study is part of a larger study that investigated the working conditions and health of drivers and conductors of urban transportation. METHODS: The sample size (1,607 participants) was calculated by means of quotas and was stratified according to occupation (drivers and conductors) in the bus companies of Belo Horizonte, Betim and Contagem. Face-to-face interviews were facilitated by means of a digital questionnaire, applied by the interviewer using a netbook. The outcome variable was constructed from combining the responses to the following two questions: (1) Over the last two weeks, have you felt tired when speaking? (no/sometimes/every day). (2) Over the last two weeks, have you noticed any worsening of your voice quality? (no/sometimes/every day). Sociodemographic, lifestyle, occupational characteristic and health situation data were gathered. RESULTS: The prevalence found was 29% overall: 24% for drivers and 34% for conductors. Attention was drawn to positive associations with the function of conductor and with reports of exposure to vibration and thermal discomfort. Among the individual factors, only female gender reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Risk factors exist that justify interventions to promote voice health within the urban transport sector under study. It would be appropriate to investigate whether vibration of the whole body would influence the functioning and morphology of the larynx.

Auto-relato e relato de informante secundário na avaliação da saúde em idosos / Auto-relato y relato de informante secundario en la evaluación de la salud en ancianos / Self-reporting and secondary informant reporting in health assessments among elderly people

OBJETIVO: Analisar se o modelo explicativo para a avaliação da saúde do idoso com base no auto-relato é comparável com o modelo de relato do informante secundário e se a auto-avaliação de saúde do informante secundário influencia a avaliação da saúde do idoso. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 230 pares idoso-informante secundário realizado em Belo Horizonte, MG, em 2007. Foram investigadas variáveis sociodemográficas e de saúde dos idosos por meio de entrevista estruturada. Utilizou-se regressão logística múltipla para analisar associação com auto-avaliação da saúde do idoso como ruim e com as informações prestadas pelo informante secundário. RESULTADOS: No modelo com base no auto-relato, a variável mais fortemente associada à avaliação da saúde do idoso como ruim foi a presença de restrições ou incapacidade para realizar atividades relacionadas à vida diária e/ou à mobilidade. No modelo baseado no informante secundário, a variável explicativa mais relevante foi o número de doenças crônicas apresentadas pelo idoso. Além disso, a chance de o informante secundário avaliar a saúde do idoso como ruim foi três vezes maior quando ele auto-avaliou sua saúde da mesma forma. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostram diferenças importantes entre o modelo da avaliação da saúde do idoso com base nas respostas do próprio indivíduo e nas do informante secundário. O idoso tende a valorizar suas restrições ou incapacidade de realizar atividades da vida diária/mobilidade, enquanto o informante secundário tende a valorizar o diagnóstico de doenças crônicas. O informante secundário com pior auto-avaliação da saúde apresenta chance quase três vezes maior de relatar a saúde do idoso da mesma forma. Assim, informações auto-relatadas refletem melhor a condição de saúde do indivíduo do que se relatadas por informantes secundários.

OBJETIVO: Analizar si el modelo explicativo para la evaluación de la salud del anciano con basa en el auto-relato es comparable con el modelo de relato del informante secundario y si la autoevaluación de salud del informante secundario influencia la evaluación de la salud del anciano. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal con 230 pares anciano-informante secundario realizado en Belo Horizonte, Sureste de Brasil, en 2007. Fueron investigadas variables sociodemográficas y de salud de los ancianos por medio de entrevista estructurada. Se utilizó regresión logística múltiple para analizar asociación con autoevaluación mala de la salud del anciano y con las informaciones prestadas por el informante secundario. RESULTADOS: En el modelo basado en el auto-relato, la variable más fuertemente asociada a la evaluación mala de la salud del anciano fue la presencia de restricciones o incapacidad para realizar actividades relacionadas con la vida diaria y/o a la movilidad. En el modelo basado en el informante secundario, la variable explicativa más relevante fue el número de enfermedades crónicas presentadas por el anciano. Asimismo, la probabilidad del informante secundario evaluar la salud del anciano como mala fue tres veces mayor cuando el mismo autoevaluó su salud como mala. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados muestran diferencias importantes entre el modelo de la evaluación de la salud del anciano basado en las respuestas del propio individuo e en las del informante secundario. El anciano tiende a valorizar sus restricciones o incapacidad de realizar actividades de la vida diaria/movilidad, mientras que el informante secundario tiende a valorizar el diagnóstico de enfermedades crónicas. El informante secundario con peor autoevaluación de la salud presenta una probabilidad casi tres veces mayor de relatar la salud del anciano de la misma forma. Así, informaciones auto-relatadas reflejan mejor la condición de salud del individuo que aquellas relatadas por informantes secundarios.

Self-reporting and secondary informant reporting in health assessments among elderly people.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether the explanatory model for health assessments among elderly people based on self-reporting is comparable with the model based on secondary informant reporting, and whether the secondary informant's self-assessed health influences the health assessment among these elderly people. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study on 230 pairs consisting of one elderly individual and one secondary informant, conducted in Belo Horizonte, Southeastern Brazil, in 2007. The sociodemographic and health variables of the elderly people were investigated by means of a structured interview. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze associations with self-assessed poor health among the elderly individuals and with the information provided by the secondary informants. RESULTS: In the model based on self-reporting, the variable most strongly associated with poor health assessment among these elderly individuals was the presence of limitations or disabilities relating to performing activities of daily living and/or mobility. In the model based on the secondary informant, the most important explanatory variable was the number of chronic diseases presented by the elderly individual. Furthermore, the chance that the secondary informant would assess the elderly individual's health as poor was three times greater when this informant assessed his own health as poor. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed significant differences between the health assessment model for elderly people based on the individual's own responses and the model based on a secondary informant's responses. The elderly individuals tended to place value on their limitations or disabilities relating to performing activities of daily living and mobility, while secondary informants tended to place value on the diagnoses of chronic diseases. Secondary informants with poor self-assessed health presented almost three times greater chance of reporting elderly individuals' health as the same as their own. Thus, self-reported information better reflects individuals' health conditions than do reports from secondary informants.

Confiabilidade das informações obtidas de informante secundário em inquéritos de saúde / Reliability of information from proxy respondents in health surveys

The use of proxy respondents in household surveys can be a source of information bias in epidemiological studies. This study assesses the agreement, reliability, magnitude, and direction of possible biases as well as the influence of proxy characteristics on the disagreements between self-report and proxy reports among 710 pairs of primary-secondary respondents. The influence of the proxy perspective on pair-agreement was also assessed, by comparing proxies' answers using their own perspective and that of primary respondents. Reliability was investigated in relation to lifestyle, health assessment, morbidity, and health care use. In general, the results showed good agreement and reliability. Disagreements were statistically associated with the following characteristics of proxy respondents: older age, lower schooling, and the proxy's knowledge of the primary respondent's health. Adults agreed more in evaluating the health of elderly when they used the elderly primary informant's perspective to respond. The results confirm the presence of bias when proxy respondents are used for hypertension and medical consultations.

O uso de informante secundário, recurso utilizado no Brasil, pela Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios, pode ser uma fonte de viés em estudos epidemiológicos. Este estudo objetiva estimar a concordância, confiabilidade, magnitude e direção de vieses, e a influência de algumas co-variáveis na discordância entre informações de 710 pares de informantes primário-secundário. A influência do ponto de vista adotado pelo informante secundário, se própria ou na perspectiva do informante primário, também foi investigada. As variáveis pesquisadas estão relacionadas ao modo de vida, avaliação da saúde, morbidade referida e uso de serviços de saúde. Os resultados mostram, em geral, boa concordância. As características dos informantes secundários associadas estatisticamente à discordância foram: idade mais velha, menores escolaridade e conhecimento sobre a saúde do informante primário. Os adultos discordaram menos sobre a avaliação da saúde dos idosos quando utilizaram a perspectiva dos idosos para responder. Os resultados confirmam a presença de viés ao utilizar o informante secundário para hipertensão e consulta médica.

[Reliability of information from proxy respondents in health surveys]. / Confiabilidade das informações obtidas de informante secundário em inquéritos de saúde.

The use of proxy respondents in household surveys can be a source of information bias in epidemiological studies. This study assesses the agreement, reliability, magnitude, and direction of possible biases as well as the influence of proxy characteristics on the disagreements between self-report and proxy reports among 710 pairs of primary-secondary respondents. The influence of the proxy perspective on pair-agreement was also assessed, by comparing proxies' answers using their own perspective and that of primary respondents. Reliability was investigated in relation to lifestyle, health assessment, morbidity, and health care use. In general, the results showed good agreement and reliability. Disagreements were statistically associated with the following characteristics of proxy respondents: older age, lower schooling, and the proxy's knowledge of the primary respondent's health. Adults agreed more in evaluating the health of elderly when they used the elderly primary informant's perspective to respond. The results confirm the presence of bias when proxy respondents are used for hypertension and medical consultations.

Voice Disorder: case definition and prevalence in teachers

Several studies have shown a high prevalence of voice disorders among teachers. However, it is difficult to establish comparisons among the results found given the great variability among criteria and symptoms used to define the presence of vocal alteration, in addition to the variations in the composition of the populations studied (age, gender, origin, working schedule, profession, among others). This study aims to discuss the need for a standard definition of functional voice disorder and possible implications of the lack of such a standard definition on estimating the prevalence of functional voice disorders among teachers. A systematic bibliographic review on voice disorders in teachers was carried out as of 1990 in the Medline, Scielo, Ovid, Pubmed and Lilacs databases. Of the 3,186 citations, 15 fulfilled the inclusion criteria to discuss prevalence of vocal disorder in teachers. Nine articles defined vocal disorder based solely on the presence of vocal symptoms, which varied in relation to type, number, frequency, and reference period. Hoarseness and vocal tiredness were mentioned in all studies that evaluated vocal symptoms. Only three studies reported prevalence based on professional examination. Prevalence rates varied according to reference period and frequency of symptoms. The results ratified the importance of standardizing the case definition of voice disorder in order to better study and understand its occurrence and to compare prevalence obtained from different populations and along time in the same population. Standardized definitions should include laryngeal alterations observed in later phases of voice disorder as well as signs and symptoms present in phases previous to organic alterations, when they are potentially reversible.

Várias pesquisas têm mostrado elevada prevalência de disfonia em professores, porém não há uma definição padronizada de alteração vocal nos estudos realizados, o que dificulta a comparação dos resultados obtidos e o desenvolvimento da pesquisa na área. O objetivo deste estudo foi discutir a necessidade de padronizar a definição de disfonia funcional e discutir possíveis implicações da falta da padronização na estimação da prevalência da disfonia funcional em professores. Foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática sobre disfonia em professores, por meio de consulta a diversas bases de dados, sendo considerados os artigos publicados a partir de 1990. De 3.186 citações, 15 artigos preencheram os critérios de inclusão para a discussão da prevalência da disfonia em professores. Nove artigos definiram disfonia baseados somente na presença de sintomas vocais, com variações em relação ao tipo, número, freqüência e período de referência. Rouquidão e cansaço vocal foram mencionados em todos os estudos que avaliaram sintomas vocais. Somente três estudos analisaram a prevalência da disfonia baseada na avaliação profissional. As prevalências variaram conforme o período de referência e a freqüência dos sintomas pesquisados. Os resultados ratificaram a importância de padronizar a definição de disfonia para melhor estudar e compreender a sua ocorrência e comparar a prevalência obtida em diferentes populações e através do tempo, em uma mesma população. A definição padronizada da disfonia deveria incluir alterações laríngeas observadas em fases mais avançadas da disfonia, assim como sinais e sintomas presentes em fases que precedem as alterações orgânicas, potencialmente reversíveis.

Condições de trabalho, qualidade de vida e disfonia entre docentes / Work conditions, quality of life, and voice disorders in teachers

A disfonia limita o trabalho docente e compromete a qualidade de vida do professor. O presente trabalho investigou fatores associados à pior qualidade de vida relacionada à voz em 2.133 professoras da rede municipal de ensino fundamental de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. A qualidade de vida foi mensurada pelo Protocolo de Qualidade de Vida e Voz, um questionário internacional padronizado com dois domínios: sócio-emocional e físico. As professoras foram agrupadas segundo o escore final dos domínios, sendo o menor quartil definido como ponto de corte para uma pior qualidade de vida relacionada à voz. Menor criatividade no trabalho e relacionamento ruim com alunos estiveram associados com a pior qualidade de vida relacionada à voz em ambos os domínios. Transtorno mental (GHQ12 > 4) esteve associado somente ao domínio sócio-emocional, e ruído na sala de aula apenas ao componente físico. Os resultados indicam que a qualidade de vida é uma dimensão fundamental para analisar a disfonia no trabalho docente e que condições ruins de trabalho estão associadas a uma pior qualidade de vida relacionada à voz.

Voice disorders are common among teachers, with adverse consequences for their work and quality of life. This study focuses on factors associated with voice-related quality of life among female teachers in the municipal school system in Belo Horizonte, Southeast Brazil. A cross-sectional study with 2,133 female teachers was conducted, using the Voice-Related Quality of Life (VRQL) questionnaire, which has two domains: socio-emotional and physical. Teachers were grouped into quartiles based on the distribution of the final score in each domain. Those in the lowest quartile were then compared with all the others for a number of factors, using multiple logistic regression analysis. Less creativity at work and poor relationship with pupils were associated with worse voice-related quality of life in both domains. Mental disorders (GHQ12 > 4) were associated with worse voice-related quality of life in the socio-emotional domain, and intra-class noise with worse voice-related quality of life in the physical domain. Improvements in working conditions are key factors for achieving better voice-related quality of life among teachers.

[Work conditions, quality of life, and voice disorders in teachers]. / Condições de trabalho, qualidade de vida e disfonia entre docentes.

Voice disorders are common among teachers, with adverse consequences for their work and quality of life. This study focuses on factors associated with voice-related quality of life among female teachers in the municipal school system in Belo Horizonte, Southeast Brazil. A cross-sectional study with 2,133 female teachers was conducted, using the Voice-Related Quality of Life (VRQL) questionnaire, which has two domains: socio-emotional and physical. Teachers were grouped into quartiles based on the distribution of the final score in each domain. Those in the lowest quartile were then compared with all the others for a number of factors, using multiple logistic regression analysis. Less creativity at work and poor relationship with pupils were associated with worse voice-related quality of life in both domains. Mental disorders (GHQ12 > 4) were associated with worse voice-related quality of life in the socio-emotional domain, and intra-class noise with worse voice-related quality of life in the physical domain. Improvements in working conditions are key factors for achieving better voice-related quality of life among teachers.