Association of socioeconomic indicators with COVID-19 mortality in Brazil: a population-based ecological study.

The article presents an analysis of the spatial distribution of mortality from COVID-19 and its association with socioeconomic indicators in the north-eastern region of Brazil - an area particularly vulnerable with regard to these indicators. This populationbased ecology study was carried out at the municipal level in the years 2020 and 2021, with analyses performed by spatial autocorrelation, multiple linear regression and spatial autoregressive models. The results showed that mortality from COVID-19 in this part of Brazil was higher in the most populous cities with better socioeconomic indicators. Factors such as the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in large cities, the agglomerations existing within them, the pressure to maintain economic activities and mistakes in the management of the pandemic by the Brazilian federal Government were part of the complex scenario related to the spread of COVID-19 in the country and this study was undertaken in an attempt to understand this situation. Analysing the different scenarios is essential to face the challenges posed by the pandemic to the world's health systems.

A Pandemia de COVID-19 e Iniquidades em Saúde no Estado de Sergipe / The COVID-19 Pandemic and Health Inequities in the State of Sergipe

O estudo analisa a associação das taxas de incidência e mortalidade por COVID-19 nos municípios do estado de Sergipe ­ Brasil com indicadores de vulnerabilidade social e desenvolvimento humano utilizados no país; e com a taxa de realização de exames RT PCR para diagnóstico da doença realizados por município. Trata-se de estudo ecológico dos casos e óbitos por COVID-19 acumulados de março de 2020 a março de 2021, ocorridos no Estado de Sergipe por município; e sua correlação com o Índice de Vulnerabilidade Social (IVS), Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano Municipal (IDHM) e quantidade de testes RT PCR realizados para diagnóstico da doença, utilizando a correlação de Spearman (ρ). Contrariando nossas hipóteses e a literatura científica, os municípios com maiores índices de vulnerabilidade social e menor desenvolvimento humano tiveram menos casos da doença e óbitos por habitante, ao mesmo tempo que testaram menos para o diagnóstico da COVID-19. O estudo aponta a iniquidade como fator a ser superado no enfrentamento da pandemia, por prejudicar um diagnóstico de cenário mais próximo da realidade, comprometendo o planejamento e implementação de medidas de saúde coletiva.

This study analyzes the association of incidence and mortality rates by COVID-19 in the municipalities of the state of Sergipe, Brazil with indicators of social vulnerability and human development used in the country, as well as with the rate of RT-PCR exams for the diagnosis of the disease performed by each municipality. This is an ecological study of COVID-19 cases and deaths accumulated from March 2020 to March 2021, which occurred in the State of Sergipe by municipality; and its correlation with the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI), and number of RT-PCR tests performed to diagnose the disease, using Spearman's correlation (ρ). Contrary to our hypotheses and the scientific literature, municipalities with higher rates of social vulnerability and lower human development had fewer cases of the disease and deaths per inhabitant, while testing less for the diagnosis of COVID-19. The study points to inequity as a factor to be overcome in the face of the pandemic, as it impairs a proper diagnosis of the scenario closer to reality, compromising the planning and implementation of collective health measures.

Physical activity and quality of life in adults and elderly individuals with lower limb amputation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QOL) in adults and elderly individuals with lower limb amputation (LLA). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study. Participants completed three surveys as follows: a demographic survey, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life. Thirty-six individuals with lower limb amputation were separated into two different groups as follows: Adults-lower limb amputation (n=12), composed of individuals with lower limb amputation who aged from 18-59 years, and Elderly-lower limb amputation (n=24), composed of individuals with lower limb amputation who aged 60 years and above. Statistical differences were determined as p<0.05. RESULTS: Age and number of individuals with a low level of functional independency were higher in the Elderly-lower limb amputation group (p<0.05). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire scores were reduced in the Elderly-lower limb amputation group (p<0.05). The Pearson's correlation test between low metabolic equivalent task (MET), time since amputation, and family income presented positive significant results in the Elderly-lower limb amputation (p<0.05). Adults-lower limb amputation just presents a positive significant correlation with the low family income (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Elderly individuals with lower limb amputation are more susceptible to present negative health outcomes than adults with lower limb amputation.

Physical activity and quality of life in adults and elderly individuals with lower limb amputation

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QOL) in adults and elderly individuals with lower limb amputation (LLA). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study. Participants completed three surveys as follows: a demographic survey, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life. Thirty-six individuals with lower limb amputation were separated into two different groups as follows: Adults-lower limb amputation (n=12), composed of individuals with lower limb amputation who aged from 18-59 years, and Elderly-lower limb amputation (n=24), composed of individuals with lower limb amputation who aged 60 years and above. Statistical differences were determined as p<0.05. RESULTS: Age and number of individuals with a low level of functional independency were higher in the Elderly-lower limb amputation group (p<0.05). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire scores were reduced in the Elderly-lower limb amputation group (p<0.05). The Pearson's correlation test between low metabolic equivalent task (MET), time since amputation, and family income presented positive significant results in the Elderly-lower limb amputation (p<0.05). Adults-lower limb amputation just presents a positive significant correlation with the low family income (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Elderly individuals with lower limb amputation are more susceptible to present negative health outcomes than adults with lower limb amputation.

Early identification of individuals at risk for loss to follow-up of tuberculosis treatment: A generalised hierarchical analysis.

BACKGROUND: We characterise the loss to follow-up (locally termed abandoned) of tuberculosis treatment with individual and ecological health determinants and to identify the predictive capacity of these risk factors. METHODS: A cohort study with individual and ecological characterisation of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis in Sergipe/Brazil from 2015 to 2018 with either loss to follow-up or completion of treatment as a therapeutic outcome was performed. The examined variables were based on the social determinants of health with descriptive analysis, binary logistic regression, a generalised hierarchical model and graphical presentation using a nomogram. RESULTS: The loss to follow-up accounted for 18.21% of the 2,449 studied cases. The characteristics revealed that the highest abandonment percentages were people who: were male (20.0%), had black skin colour (20.3%), were aged 20-39 years (21.8%), had 4-7 years of schooling (23.6%), re-entered treatment after abandonment (36.5%), used alcohol (31.0%), used drugs (39.3%), were smokers (26.5%) and were homeless (55.4%). The ecological characteristics showed that individuals living in municipalities with a high human development index (HDI; odds ratio [OR]: 1.91) and high-income inequality (OR: 1.81) had a greater chance of not finishing the treatment. Most of these variables were identified as predictors in the generalised hierarchical model; the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve had 0.771 precision and 84.0% accuracy. CONCLUSION: The group of identified characteristics influenced the loss to follow-up of tuberculosis treatment. This data provides evidence for the early identification of individuals who are at greater risk of abandoning tuberculosis treatment.

Trends in prostate cancer incidence and mortality to monitor control policies in a northeastern Brazilian state.

Prostate cancer differently affects different regions of the world, displaying higher rates in more developed areas. After the implementation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, several studies described rising rates globally, but it is possible that indolent lesions are being detected given the lack of changes in mortality data. The Brazilian government recommends against PSA screening in the male population regardless of age, but the Urology Society issued a report recommending that screening should start at 50 years old for certain men and for those aged ≥75 years with a life expectancy exceeding 10 years. In this study, we examined the incidence and mortality rates of invasive prostate cancer over time in the Sergipe state of Brazil. The databases of the Aracaju Cancer Registry and Mortality Information System were used to calculate age-standardized rates for all prostate tumors (International Classification of Diseases 10th edition: C61 and D07.5) in the following age ranges: 20-44, 45-54, and ≥65 years. We identified 3595 cases of cancer, 30 glandular intraepithelial high-grade lesions, and 3269 deaths. Using the Joinpoint Regression Program, we found that the incidence of prostate cancer dramatically increased over time until the mid-2000s for all age groups, after which the rates declined. Prostate cancer mortality rates increased until 2005, followed by a non-significant annual percent change of 22.0 in 2001-2005 and a stable rate thereafter. We noticed that the increases and decreases of the incidence rates of prostate cancer were associated with the screening recommendations. Meanwhile, the increased mortality rates did not appear to be associated with decreased PSA testing; instead, they were linked to the effects of age and improvements in identification of the cause of death. Thus, we do not believe a PSA screening program would benefit the population of this study.

Obesity and clinical severity in patients with COVID-19: a scoping review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 strain, was first identified in late 2019 in China. The outcomes of patients affected by the virus can worsen, developing acute respiratory failure and other serious complications, especially in older individuals and people with obesity and comorbidities. Thus, obese patients tend to have a more severe course of COVID-19. Thus, this review aims to synthesize the evidence in the literature that associates COVID-19 and the severity of clinical outcomes in infected obese patients. METHODS: This protocol was designed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols Statement. Scientific and gray literature will be systematically selected from PubMed/MEDLINE, Latin American Literature in Health Sciences, Online Scientific Electronic Library, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane. The selection of articles will be limited to studies published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish from December 2019 onwards. The main clinical outcomes will be clinical severity in obese patients with COVID-19 as tachypnea (respiratory rate, ≥ 30 breaths per minute), hypoxemia (oxygen saturation, ≤ 93%), the ratio of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (< 300), lung infiltrate (> 50% of the lung field involved within 24-48 h), diagnosis of the severe acute respiratory syndrome, need of invasive mechanical ventilation, and mortality. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. Selection bias will be minimized by excluding studies published before December 2019. Conflicts will be resolved through a third reviewer and consensus-building. Moreover, findings will be reported using narrative synthesis and tabulation of the summaries. DISCUSSION: Given the need for early detection of the possible implications and treatment for patients with obesity diagnosed with COVID-19, the scoping review will be useful to capture the state of the current literature, identify the gaps, and make recommendations for future research for directing the conduct and optimization of therapies in these patients by the multiprofessional teams. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/xrkec.

Trends in the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer in a brazilian city.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to analyze the trends in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality in the city of Aracaju, Sergipe State, Brazil, between 1996 and 2015 with Joinpoint Regression Program 4.7.0.0 and to identify the geographical distribution of CRC in the municipality. RESULTS: A total of 1322 cases of CRC and 467 CRC-related deaths during the study period were included. In total, 40% of the incident cases and 43% of the deaths occurred in men, while 60% of the incident cases and 57% of the deaths occurred in women. Males who were 20 to 44 years old had the most significant trend in growth. Among women, those in the group aged 45 to 64 years had the highest observed annual percent change (APC). In both sexes, mortality was stable. Regarding the geographic distribution, there were constant hotspots in the northeast region of the municipality. This study showed a significant increase in incidence, mainly in young men between 20 and 44 years of age, but stable mortality in Aracaju.

Características epidemiológicas da paralisia cerebral em crianças e adolescentes em uma capital do nordeste brasileiro / Características epidemiológicas de la parálisis cerebral en niños y adolescentes de una ciudad del Nordeste de Brasil / Epidemiological characteristics of cerebral palsy in children and adolescents in a Brazilian northeast capital

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a prevalência de paralisia cerebral entre crianças e adolescentes, seus subtipos, as possíveis comorbidades e as características socioeconômicas das famílias. Foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico do tipo transversal a partir de um inquérito de base populacional sobre a paralisia cerebral em crianças e adolescentes na cidade de Aracaju (SE), Brasil. O estudo obteve informações sobre 240 crianças e adolescentes com paralisia cerebral a partir das respostas a um questionário feitas por seus responsáveis. Foi encontrada a prevalência de período de 1,37 em cada mil. Alguns bairros possuem prevalência de três a quatro vezes maior, revelando que a taxa de prevalência total não é um indicador homogêneo. A maioria dos participantes foi do sexo masculino (56,25%), de raça/cor declarada como parda ou preta (67,50%), sendo que a média de idade foi de 8,56 anos. A paralisia cerebral de tipo espástica bilateral foi a mais frequente (45,42%) e a comorbidade referida na maioria dos casos foi a epilepsia (48,33%). A renda familiar mensal correspondia a $252,87 dólares. O estudo revelou que as crianças e adolescentes com paralisia cerebral são, em grande parte, pertencentes a minorias sociais, de raça/cor parda ou preta, e suas famílias vivem na linha da extrema pobreza.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la prevalencia de parálisis cerebral en niños y adolescentes, sus subtipos, las posibles comorbilidades y las características socioeconómicas de las familias. Se realizó un estudio epidemiológico transversal a partir de una encuesta poblacional sobre parálisis cerebral en niños y adolescentes de la ciudad de Aracaju, Brasil. El estudio obtuvo información de 240 niños y adolescentes con parálisis cerebral con base en las respuestas de sus padres a un cuestionario. Se encontró la prevalencia de período de 1,37 por mil. Algunos barrios tienen una prevalencia de tres a cuatro veces mayor, lo que revela que la tasa de prevalencia total no es un indicador homogéneo. La mayoría de los participantes eran varones (56,25%), de raza/color declarado parda o negra (67,50%), con un promedio de edad de 8,56 años. La parálisis cerebral espástica bilateral fue la más frecuente (45,42%), y la comorbilidad reportada en la mayoría de los casos fue la epilepsia (48,33%). El ingreso familiar mensual correspondió a 252,87 dólares. El estudio reveló que los niños y adolescentes con parálisis cerebral son mayoritariamente de minorías sociales, raza/color parda o negra, y sus familias viven en extrema pobreza.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to describe the prevalence of cerebral palsy among children and adolescents, its subtypes, associated comorbidities, and socioeconomic characteristics of families. This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted from a population-based survey on cerebral palsy among children and adolescents in the city of Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. Results: Based on guardians' answers to the proposed questionnaire, we obtained data on 240 children and adolescents with cerebral palsy in Aracaju. The period prevalence of cerebral palsy was 1.37 per 1,000 people. Some neighborhoods showed a prevalence three to four times higher than that found to the overall city, indicating that the total prevalence is not a homogeneous indicator. Most participants were male (56.25%), self-declared as mixed-race or Black (67.50%), and aged 8.56 years on average. Bilateral spastic was the most prevalent cerebral palsy subtype (45.42%), and epilepsy was the most common comorbidity (48.33%) along with intellectual disability. Household monthly income was $ 252.87. Our results indicate that children and adolescents with cerebral palsy are mostly from minoritized groups, Black or mixed-race, and live in extreme poverty.

[Tuberculosis among children and adolescents: an epidemiological and spatial analysis in the state of Sergipe, Brazil, 2001-2017]. / Tuberculose em crianças e adolescentes: uma análise epidemiológica e espacial no estado de Sergipe, Brasil, 2001-2017.

Tuberculosis continues to be of the most frequent diseases in the world and one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality. Data from the World Health Organization indicate that Brazil accounts for 75% of global cases involving children. The study aims to analyze the epidemiological and spatial pattern of tuberculosis in children and adolescents in the state of Sergipe during the period from 2001 to 2017. This is an ecological, temporal series study using secondary data. The categorical variables were summarized in simple and absolute frequency. In the spatial analysis the Bayesian method for rate smoothing and the Moran index were used to evaluate spatial autocorrelation. Trend analysis was performed using the Joinpoint regression model. The mean incidence rate was 5.9, with a predominance of 15 to 19 years of age (76.4%) and a steady trend, but with a positive annual variation in both sexes. Tuberculosis in children and adolescents has significant spatial dependence in the north and northeast regions. The knowledge of the epidemiological situation of tuberculosis over the years provides subsidies for the targeting of resources in risk areas and new strategies for prevention and control of the disease among children and adolescents.

A tuberculose continua como uma das doenças mais frequentes no mundo e uma das principais causas de morbimortalidade. Dados da Organização Mundial de Saúde indicam que o Brasil responde por 75% dos casos mundiais envolvendo crianças. O estudo objetiva analisar o padrão epidemiológico e espacial da tuberculose em crianças e adolescentes no estado de Sergipe durante o período de 2001 a 2017. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, de serie temporal, com uso de dados secundários. As variáveis categóricas foram sumarizadas em frequência simples e absoluta. Na análise espacial foi utilizado o método bayesiano para suavização de taxas e o índice de Moran para avaliar a autocorrelação espacial. A análise de tendência foi realizada por meio do modelo de regressão Joinpoint. Verificou que a taxa média de incidência foi de 5,9 com predomínio na faixa etária 15 a 19 anos (76,4%) e tendência estacionaria, porém com variação anual positiva em ambos os sexos. A tuberculose em crianças e adolescentes apresenta dependência espacial significante nas regiões norte e nordeste. O conhecimento da situação epidemiológica da tuberculose ao longo dos anos fornece subsídios para o direcionamento de recursos em áreas de risco e às novas estratégias de prevenção e controle da doença em crianças e adolescentes.

Spatial analysis of cerebral palsy in children and adolescents and its association with health vulnerability.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is commonly associated with low socioeconomic status. Use of spatial statistics and a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are scarce and may contribute to the understanding of CP in a social context. To that end a spatial analysis of CP in children and adolescents was performed to analyze the association of CP with levels of vulnerability in a city (Aracaju, Sergipe) in north-eastern Brazil. In addition, an ecological study was conducted with data obtained from a populationbased survey and secondary data. Exploratory spatial data analysis and linear regression were used. A total of 288 CP cases were identified, with a prevalence of 1.65/1,000 and differences among city neighbourhoods ranging from 0-4/1,000. The mean age of cases studied was 9 years 1 month, with a standard deviation of 5 years 2 months. Most study subjects with cerebral palsy (163) were male (56.4%). The distribution of CP in the study population was not homogeneous throughout the territory. Some areas had clusters, with more cases associated with areas of high vulnerability. Spatial data analysis using GIS was useful to gain an epidemiological understanding of CP distribution that can guide decisionmaking with respect to production, distribution, and regulation of health goods as well as services at the local level.

Trends in cervical cancer and its precursor forms to evaluate screening policies in a mid-sized Northeastern Brazilian city.

Cervical cancer is a health issue that disproportionately affects developing countries, where the Papanicolaou test (Pap smear) remains an important screening tool. Brazilian government recommendations have focused screening on the female population aged from 25 to 64 years old. In this study, we examined the incidence and mortality rates of invasive cervical cancer lesions and the incidence rates of in situ precancerous cervical lesions, aiming to calculate their respective statistics over time in a mid-sized Brazilian city, Aracaju. The 1996-2015 database from the Aracaju Cancer Registry and Mortality Information System was used to calculate age standardized rates for all invasive cervical tumors (International code of diseases, ICD-10: C53) and preinvasive cervical lesions (ICD-10: D06) in the following patient age ranges; ≤ 24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64 and ≥ 65 years old. We identified 1,030 cancer cases, 1,871 in situ lesions and 334 deaths. Using the Joinpoint Regression Program, we calculated the annual percentage incidence changes and our analyses show that cervical cancer incidence decreased up to 2008, increased up to 2012 and decreased again thereafter, a significant trend in all age groups from 25 years. The incidence of precursor lesions increased from 1996 to 2005 and has since decreased, a result significant in all age groups until 64 years. Cervical cancer mortality has decreased by 3.8% annually and trend analysis indicates that Pap smears have been effective in decreasing cancer incidence and mortality. However, recent trends shown here show a decreasing incidence of in situ lesions and may indicate either a real decrease or incomplete catchment. Thus, we suggest health policies should be re-considered and include sufficient screening and HPV vaccination strategies to avoid cervical cancer resurgence in the population.

Lidocaine for pain relief during nasogastric intubation: systematic review and meta-analysis / Lidocaína para o alívio da dor durante a intubação nasogástrica: revisão sistemática e meta-análise

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Procedural acute pain is a common experience associated with nasogastric tube insertion. Nevertheless, there is an important gap in the knowledge on its management. Lidocaine seems an effective option for relieving procedural pain. The objective of this study was a systematic review with metanalysis to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of jelly, spray, atomized and nebulized lidocaine during nasogastric intubation in adult patients. CONTENTS: The Pubmed, LILACS, Scopus, CINAHL and Cochrane databases were searched using the keywords: pain, acute pain, pain management, lidocaine and gastrointestinal intubation. The identified articles were then screened according to the population, intervention, comparison, outcome and type of study. A total of 192 people were included, 30 of whom were healthy, while 162 had gastrointestinal disorders. The data revealed heterogeneity between the studies regarding the presentation and administration route of lidocaine, as well as the comparison groups. The group pain scores that received atomized lidocaine were significantly different from those of the control group (37.4 vs 64.5), the lidocaine spray group (23.6±16.6 vs 43.1±31.4) and the lidocaine gel group (33±29 vs 48±27). In the study evaluating lidocaine gel, atomized lidocaine and cocaine, the results were 19.3±24.9, 23.9±26.4, 30.5±29.6, respectively. CONCLUSION: Thus, the metanalytic estimate showed that lidocaine led to a significant reduction in pain compared to the control group in all studies.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor aguda procedural é uma experiência comum associada à inserção da sonda nasogástrica. No entanto, existe uma lacuna importante no conhecimento sobre sua gestão. A lidocaína parece uma opção eficaz para aliviar a dor procedural. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão sistemática com meta-análise para avaliar a eficácia analgésica da lidocaína durante a intubação nasogástrica em pacientes adultos. CONTEÚDO: As bases de dados Pubmed, LILACS, Scopus, CINAHL e Cochrane foram pesquisadas utilizando as palavras-chave: dor, dor aguda, manejo da dor, lidocaína e intubação gastrointestinal. Os artigos identificados foram selecionados de acordo com a população, intervenção, comparação, resultado e tipo de estudo. Foram incluídas 192 pessoas, 30 das quais saudáveis, enquanto 162 apresentavam distúrbios gastrointestinais. Os dados revelaram heterogeneidade entre os estudos sobre a apresentação e via de administração da lidocaína, bem como os grupos de comparação. Os escores de dor do grupo que recebeu lidocaína atomizada foram significativamente diferentes daqueles do grupo controle (37,4 vs 64,5), do grupo spray de lidocaína (23,6±16,6 vs 43,1±31,4) e do grupo gel de lidocaína (33±29 vs 48±27). No estudo que avaliou gel de lidocaína, lidocaína atomizada e cocaína, os resultados foram 19,3±24,9, 23,9±26,4, 30,5±29,6, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Assim, a estimativa meta-analítica mostrou que a lidocaína levou a uma redução significativa da dor em comparação com o grupo controle em todos os estudos.

Elastic compression after ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy in overweight patients does not improve primary venous hemodynamics outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Lower extremity varicose veins have a high prevalence and can be associated with significant morbidity in their more advanced presentations; overweight patients tend to present with more severe clinical symptoms and conventional surgical treatment remains challenging. Although the advent of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) increased the treatment options for these patients, the need for elastic compression after UGFS remains controversial. METHODS: Overweight patients with lower extremity varicose veins secondary to great saphenous vein reflux were treated with UGFS and then randomized to use or no use of a 3-week treatment of elastic compression stockings. Follow-up was performed by clinical evaluation and duplex ultrasound examination. The primary outcome measure was the absence of venous reflux in the great saphenous vein. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-five lower limbs were treated; 72 limbs were randomized to elastic compression and 63 limbs to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of procedures (P = .64) or the mean foam volume per procedure (P = .27) between groups. There was no difference in the reflux rate at either 3 weeks (26% vs 35%; P = .16) or 3 months (25% vs 21%; P = .85). Major complications were venous deep thrombosis (n = 2), neurologic event (n = 1), and ischemic ulceration (n = 1); the overall rate was 3% in both groups-2 of 62 in control patients and 2 of 69 in compression patients (P = .45). Venous diameter reduction was noted in both groups during treatment (P < .05) but with greater decrease in greater saphenous vein diameter in patients treated with compression. CONCLUSIONS: Elastic compression stockings for 3 consecutive weeks after UGFS in overweight patients did not decrease great saphenous vein reflux, need for repeat procedures, or the volume of foam injected. However, UGFS was associated with a greater and uniform reduction in saphenous vein diameter at all times after the procedure.

Are Clinical Outcomes Associated With Medication Regimen Complexity? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Current evidence of the influence of the medication regimen complexity (MRC) on the patients' clinical outcomes are not conclusive. Objective: To systematically and analytically assess the association between MRC measured by the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) and clinical outcomes. Methods: A search was carried out in the databases Cochrane Library, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Open Thesis, and Web of Science to identify studies evaluating the association between MRC and clinical outcomes that were published from January 1, 2004, to April 2, 2018. The search terms included outcome assessment, drug therapy, and medication regimen complexity index and their synonyms in different combinations for case-control and cohort studies that used the MRCI to measure MRC and related the MRCI with clinical outcomes. Odds ratios (ORs), hazard ratios (HRs), and mean differences (WMDs) were calculated, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. Results: A total of 12 studies met the eligibility criteria. The meta-analysis showed that MRC is associated with the following clinical outcomes: hospitalization (HR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.14 to 1.27;I2 = 0%) in cohort studies, hospital readmissions (WMD = 7.72; 95% CI = 1.19 to 14.25; I2 = 84%) in case-control studies, and medication nonadherence (adjusted OR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.07; I2 = 0%) in cohort studies. Conclusion and Relevance: This systematic review and meta-analysis gathered relevant scientific evidence and quantified the combined estimates to show the association of MRC with clinical outcomes: hospitalization, hospital readmission, and medication adherence.

Aberrant Phenotypes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Its Relationship with Prognosis and Survival: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The aim of this review was to evaluate the influence of aberrant phenotypes in prognosis and survival in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients by multiparametric flow cytometry. Materials and Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a review of PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science was carried out through 1998 to 2016, conducted by two reviewers independently, evaluating titles, abstracts and full-texts of the selected studies. Results: Ten studies were included on this review, in which the aberrant phenotype expression of 17 markers were detected in AML patients. From these, 11 aberrant phenotypes were associated with prognosis, which eight had shown negative impact on prognosis: CD7, CD56, CD15, CD2, CD3, CD90low, CD123high, CD117high, and three others were associated with good prognosis: CD19, CD98high and CD117+/CD15+. Meta-analysis showed that aberrant expression of CD56 as a poor prognostic marker with unfavorable outcomes is implicated in decreased overall survival in AML patients in 28 months (95% CI: 0.62 to 0.92). Conclusion: This was observed when there was association between CD56 expression and other prognostic factors, influencing on patients' management care and treatment.

Spatial and temporal analysis of the human immunodeficiency virus in an area of social vulnerability in Northeast Brazil.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection still represents an important public health problem, because it involves clinical, epidemiological, social, economic and political issues. We analyzed the temporal and spatial pattern of the HIV incidence in an area of social inequality in northeast Brazil and its association with socioeconomic indicators. An ecological study was carried out with a focus on all HIV cases reported in Alagoas State, Northeast Brazil from 2007 to 2016 using its 102 municipalities as the units of our analysis. Data from the Brazilian information systems were used. Georeferenced data were analyzed using TerraView 4.2.2 software, QGis 2.18.2 and GeoDa 1.14.0. Time trend analyses were performed by the Joinpoint Regression software and the spatial analyses included the empirical Bayesian model and Moran autocorrelation. Spatial regression was used to determine the influence of space on HIV incidence rate and socioeconomic inequalities. There was an increasing trend of HIV rates, especially in the municipalities of the interior. Significant spatial correlations were observed with the formation of clusters with emphasis on the coast of the state and in tourist regions. Spatial regression explained 46% of the dependent variable. The HIV incidence rate was positively influenced by rate of primary health care units (P=0.00), and negatively by Gini index (P=0.00) and proportion of heads of household without or low education (P=0.02). We conclude that the relationship found between indicators of better socioeconomic conditions and HIV infection suggests unequal access to the diagnosis of infection. Prevention and control strategies can be established according to each epidemiological reality.

Análise espacial e tendência da mortalidade por câncer de pênis em Sergipe, 2000 a 2015 / Análisis espacial y tendencia de la mortalidad por cáncer de pene en Sergipe, 2000-2015 / Spatial analysis and trends of mortality due to penile cancer in Sergipe, 2000 to 2015

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a distribuição espacial e a tendência temporal da mortalidade por câncer de pênis em Sergipe. Método: estudo ecológico, com técnicas de análise espacial. Foram utilizados dados secundários dos óbitos por câncer de pênis de residentes dos municípios de Sergipe de 2000 a 2015, obtidos no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade. A análise das tendências temporais foi realizada pelo programa Joinpoint por meio da regressão Poisson. As análises espaciais foram realizadas por meio do modelo bayesiano empírico, estimador de Kernel e Índices de Moran. Resultados: ocorreram 67 óbitos por câncer de pênis e uma tendência crescente dos coeficientes de mortalidade, de 0,11 (2000) para 0,64 (2015) por 100.000 homens. Observou-se autocorrelação espacial positiva (I=0,64; p=0,01) com áreas de maior risco de morte localizadas na região sul do estado. Conclusão: houve aumento dos coeficientes de mortalidade por câncer de pênis e distribuição geográfica heterogênea das áreas de risco.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la distribución espacial y la tendencia temporal de la mortalidad por cáncer de pene en Sergipe. Método: estudio ecológico, con técnicas de análisis espacial. Se utilizaron datos secundarios de las muertes por cáncer de pene en residentes de los municipios de Sergipe de 2000 a 2015, obtenidos del Sistema de Informaciones sobre Mortalidad. El análisis de las tendencias temporales se realizó en el programa Joinpoint por medio de la regresión Poisson. Los análisis espaciales se realizaron por medio del modelo bayesiano empírico, del estimador de Kernel y de los Índices de Moran. Resultados: se registraron 67 muertes por cáncer de pene y una tendencia creciente de los coeficientes de mortalidad, de 0,11 (2000) a 0,64 (2015) por cada 100.000 hombres. Se observó una autocorrelación positiva (I=0,64; p=0,01) con áreas de mayor riesgo de muerte localizadas en la región sur del estado. Conclusión: se registró un aumento de los coeficientes de mortalidad por cáncer de pene y una distribución héterogenea de las áreas de riesgo.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the spatial distribution and temporal trend of mortality due to penile cancer in Sergipe. Method: An ecological study with spatial analysis techniques. Secondary data on penile cancer deaths from residents of Sergipe municipalities from 2000 to 2015 were used, obtained from the Mortality Information System. The analysis of the temporal trends was performed in the Joinpoint program through Poisson regression. Spatial analyses were performed using the empirical Bayesian model, kernel estimator and Moran indexes. Results: 67 deaths due to penile cancer occurred and a rising trend in mortality rates from 0.11 (2000) to 0.64 (2015) per 100,000 men was recorded. A positive spatial autocorrelation (I=0.64; p=0.01) was observed with areas of higher risk of death in the southern region of the state. Conclusion: There was an increase in the coefficients of mortality due to penile cancer and heterogeneous geographical distribution of the risk areas.

Spatial and temporal analysis of tuberculosis in an area of social inequality in Northeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a disease known worldwide for its vulnerability factors, magnitude and mortality. The objective of the study was to analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics of TB in the area of social inequality in northeast Brazil between the years 2001 and 2016. METHODS: An ecological time series study with the use of spatial analysis techniques was carried out from 2001 to 2016. The units of analysis were the 75 municipalities in the state of Sergipe. Data from the Notification of Injury Information System were used. For the construction of the maps, the cartographic base of the state of Sergipe, obtained at the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, was used. Georeferenced data were analysed using TerraView 4.2.2 software (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais) and QGis 2.18.2 (Open Source Geospatial Foundation). Spatial analyses included the empirical Bayesian model and the global and local Moran indices. The time trend analyses were performed by the software Joinpoint Regression, Version 4.5.0.1, with the variables of sex, age, cure and abandonment. RESULTS: There was an increasing trend of tuberculosis cases in patients under 20 years old and 20-39 years old, especially in males. Cured cases showed a decreasing trend, and cases of treatment withdrawal were stationary. A spatial dependence was observed in almost all analysed territories but with different concentrations. Significant spatial correlations with the formation of clusters in the southeast and northeast of the state were observed. The probability of illness among municipalities was determined not to occur in a random way. CONCLUSION: The identification of risk areas and priority groups can help health planning by refining the focus of attention to tuberculosis control. Understanding the epidemiological, spatial and temporal dynamics of tuberculosis can allow for improved targeting of strategies for disease prevention and control.

Assessment of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, Physical Activity Levels, and Quality of Life in Stratified Groups up to 10 Years after Bariatric Surgery.

Obesity is a highly prevalent chronic metabolic disease, with an increasing incidence, and is currently approaching epidemic proportions in developing countries. Ouraim was to evaluate the activity levels, quality of life (QoL), clinical parameters, laboratory parameters, and cardiometabolic risk factors afterbariatric surgery (BS). We classified78 patients who underwentBS into four groups, as follows: Those evaluated 1-2 years after BS (BS2), 2-4 years after BS (BS4), 4-6 years after BS (BS6), and 6-10 years after BS (BS+6). Body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), comorbidities associated with obesity (ACRO), physical activity level, and QoL were evaluated. Patients exhibited improvements in BW, BMI, cardiometabolic risk, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes and significant changes in lipid profiles in the first postoperative yearafter BS.The physical activity level inthe BS2, BS4, and BS6 groups was increased, compared with that in the first postoperative year, with a decrease in International Physical Activity Questionnaire scores at 1 year in the BS2 (207.50 ± 30.79), BS4 (210.67 ± 33.69), and BS6 (220.00 ± 42.78) groups. The QoL of patients in theBS2 and BS4 groups was excellent and that of patients in the BS4 and BS+6 groupswas very good. These findings suggest that BS promoted improved physical activity levels and QoL and reduced comorbidities in patients with morbid obesity.