RESUMO
Whipple's disease is a rare systemic infection caused by a diastase-resistant and Gram-positive bacillus called Tropheryma whipplei. The diagnosis of the disease is difficult and often late due to the variety of the symptoms. The objective of this study was to report a rare case of Whipple's disease treated at the Internal Medicine service of a hospital in the Midwest of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The patient was invited for an interview to describe the history of symptoms and previous treatments. Additionally, test results and treatments performed during hospitalization were assessed through the medical records. The case report describes a 39-year-old white male who presented, at the time of diagnosis, severe diarrhea, hematochezia, weight loss, fever, and inguinal adenomegaly, in addition to preceding migratory polyarthritis. After investigation, the diagnosis of Whipple's disease was achieved in conjunction with antibiotic treatment, with improvement of clinical and laboratory symptoms after 15 days. This case highlights the broad array of symptoms and the non-specific features of the Whipple's disease. Establishing an early diagnosis is essential for the success of the treatment, avoiding a long-lasting escalation of symptoms, which lead to cachexia and a devastating loss of the patient's quality of life.
RESUMO
Introdução: Os inibidores da bomba de prótons (IBPs) são considerados o maior avanço no tratamento de doenças gástricas. No entanto, atualmente têm sido utilizados, muitas vezes, de modo empírico (por prescrição ou automedicação). Objetivo: O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o perfil dos pacientes adultos que consultam na atenção primária e que fazem uso continuado de IBPs. Métodos: O estudo foi retrospectivo, com delineamento transversal, de base populacional, analítico-descritivo, realizado no município de Água Doce, região meio-oeste de Santa Catarina. Possui 7.550 habitantes e conta com duas Estratégias Saúde da Família (ESF) que abrangem 100% do território do município e de sua população. A amostra para o estudo foi composta por todos os pacientes maiores de 18 anos que, no período de maio a agosto de 2013, obtiveram receita médica contendo um inibidor da bomba de prótons em caráter contínuo. Resultados: Foram realizadas 1.321 consultas médicas nas quais 109 prescrições continham inibidor da bomba de prótons em caráter contínuo (8,25% da população atendida). As mulheres representaram 73,4% da amostra (n= 80). A faixa etária predominante foi a compreendida entre os 51 aos 70 anos (67,5%; n= 54). O inibidor de bomba prescrito em 108 pacientes foi o omeprazol. Destes, 71 pacientes já haviam realizado endoscopia, tendo 61,9% (n= 44) ocorrido num período de até 4 anos. Dentre aqueles que utilizavam irregular mente o IBP (n= 36), 75% o fazia quando apresentava sintomas (n= 25); 13,89% usava em dias alternados (n= 5) e 11,1% (n = 4) ingeria mais do que dois comprimidos ao dia no caso de os sintomas não cessarem com um comprimido. Aumentos posológicos realizados pelo paciente sem prescrição médica ocorreram em 27,52% (n= 30). Conclusões: O presente estudo encontrou resultados alarmantes frente às irregularidades posológicas observadas. É preciso implantar estratégias para educação desta população, com o intuito de promover a desmedicalização precoce e evitar a banalização do uso de inibidores de bomba de prótons.
Introduction: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are considered the greatest advance in the treatment of gastric diseases. However, they currently have been used empirically (by prescription or self-medication). Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the profile of adult patients who consult in primary care and make continued use of PPIs. Methods: It is a retrospective, cross-sectional, population-based, analytical- descriptive study performed in the municipality of Água Doce, middle west region of Santa Catarina state. It has 7.550 inhabitants and has two Family Health Strategy (FHS) covering 100 % of the municipality and its population. The sample consisted of all patients older than 18 years, in the period May-August 2013, whose obtained a continuous PPI prescription. Results: 1.321 medical consultations were conducted and 109 had a continuous PPI prescription (8.25% of population consulted). Women accounted for 73.4% of the sample (n= 80). The predominant age group was between 51 to 70 years (67.5%, n= 54). The PPI prescribed in 108 patients was omeprazole. Of these, 71 patients had undergone endoscopy, and 61.9 % (n= 44) were in the period of up to 4 years. Among those who improperly intaked the PPI (n = 36), 75% did so when presented with symptoms (n= 25), 13.89% used on alternate days (n= 5), 11.1% (n= 4) took it more than two tablets per day if symptoms are not stopped with one tablet. Dose increases made by the patient without prescription occurred in 27.52% (n= 30). Conclusions: This study found alarming results, based on the dosing irregularities observed. There is a need to deploy strategies for education of this population, in order to promote early unmedicalization and avoid trivializing the use of proton pump inhibitors.