Effects of a Multi-professional Intervention on Quality of Life of Women with Overweight or Obesity Post-Covid-19: A Pragmatic Trial

Obesity is a global Non-Communicable Chronic Disease (NCD) associated with various comorbidities and a high mortality rate. This scenario has increasingly affected the female population, leading to a rise in prevalence and related health issues. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life of women with overweight or obesity and symptoms of COVID-19 using a multi-professional intervention model. This research was conducted as a parallel group and repeated measures pragmatic trial, in which 28 participants aged between 25 and 65 were allocated into two groups: experimental (intervention group) and control (non-intervention participants). The Body Mass Index (BMI) was (30.5 ± 5.45 kg/m²) in the Experimental Group, and the Control Group was (31 ± 8.2 kg/m2). The 12-Item Health Survey (SF-12) questionnaire was applied to assess the quality of life in the physical and mental domains of COVID-19 survivors with different symptom severities (mild, moderate, severe) compared to the control group. At the end of the program, 28 participants finished the study (15 from the experimental group and 13 from the control group). The results indicated a significant improvement in the mental health domain only in the experimental group after the intervention period (p 0.05). Considering these findings, multi-professional actions emerge as a crucial component for enhancing the quality of life, particularly within mental health, during the 16-week intervention period.

La obesidad es una Enfermedad Crónica No Transmisible (ECNT) global asociada a diversas comorbilidades y una alta tasa de mortalidad. Este escenario ha afectado cada vez más a la población femenina, lo que ha llevado a un aumento en la prevalencia y problemas de salud relacionados. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud de mujeres con sobrepeso u obesidad y síntomas de COVID-19 mediante un modelo de intervención multiprofesional. Esta investigación se llevó a cabo como un ensayo pragmático de grupos paralelos y medidas repetidas, en el que 48 participantes con edades comprendidas entre 25 y 65 años fueron alocadas en dos grupos: experimental (participantes de la intervención) y control (participantes de la no intervención). En el grupo experimental el Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) fue de (30,5 ± 5,45 kg/m²). En el grupo control, el IMC fue (31 ± 8,2 kg/m²). Se utilizó el cuestionario de 12-Item Health Survey (SF-12) para evaluar la calidad de vida en los dominios físico y mental de las sobrevivientes de COVID-19 con diferentes grados de gravedad de síntomas (leves, moderados, graves) en comparación con el grupo de control (participantes que no recibieron intervenciones). Al final del programa, 28 participantes terminado el estudio (15 participantes de la intervención y 13 sin intervención). Los resultados indicaron una mejora significativa en el dominio de la salud mental solo en el grupo experimental después del período de intervención (p 0.05). A la luz de estos hallazgos, la rehabilitación multiprofesional emerge como un componente crucial para mejorar la calidad de vida, especialmente en el ámbito de la salud mental durante el período de intervención de 16 semanas.

A obesidade é uma Doença Crônica Não-Transmissível (DCNT) com alcance mundial, associada a diversas comorbidades e alta taxa de mortalidade. Esse quadro tem afetado cada vez mais o público feminino, com aumento da prevalência e doenças correlatas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de mulheres com sobrepeso ou obesidade com sintomas da COVID-19 utilizando um modelo de intervenção multiprofissional. Esta pesquisa foi conduzida como um ensaio pragmático de grupos paralelos e medidas repetidas, no qual 28 participantes de idade entre 25 a 65 anos foram distribuídas em dois grupos: experimental (participantes das intervenções) e controle (não participantes das intervenções). No grupo experimental o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) foi de (30,5 ± 5,45 kg/m²) e no grupo controle, IMC foi de (31 ± 8,2 kg/m²). Utilizou-se o questionário 12-Item Health Survey (SF-12) para analisar a qualidade de vida nos domínios físico e mental das sobreviventes da COVID-19 nas diferentes sintomatologias (COVID leve, moderada e grave) em comparação com o grupo controle (não participantes das intervenções). Ao final do programa, 28 participantes finalizaram o estudo (15 do grupo experimental e 13 do grupo controle). Os resultados indicaram uma melhoria significativa no domínio de saúde mental apenas no grupo experimental após o período de intervenção (p 0,05). Diante dos resultados a reabilitação multiprofissional emerge como componente importante para a melhoria da qualidade de vida, especialmente no âmbito da saúde mental durante as 16 semanas de intervenção.

Analysis of the Bond of Users from Different Basic Health Units with Possible Diagnosis of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases during the Covid-19 Pandemic in a city in southern Brazil

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are considered one of the leading causes of death worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these diseases have been neglected due to the Brazilian Unified National Health System (BHUS) overload. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the bond between patients with NCDs and primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic while also seeking to identify the population's level of knowledge about health parameters and their relationship with the healthcare system. A cross-sectional and observational study was conducted, in which an online questionnaire was administered to collect socioeconomic information from patients and their bond with BHUS in the metropolitan region of Maringa, Parana, Brazil, encompassing individuals over 18 years of age. The survey was promoted on social media, and interested participants responded to the questionnaire, which addressed topics such as identification, medication use, disease information, knowledge about NCDs, and general data related to COVID-19. The obtained and analyzed responses revealed a low bond level between this population and primary care and a lack of knowledge about NCDs and their health during the pandemic. There was a notable decrease in seeking healthcare services during this period, which may be explained by the fear of contracting the novel coronavirus. This study is essential to understand patients' responses to public health challenges during the pandemic. It can become a valuable ally in dealing with future pandemics and endemic crises, enabling improvements in care and raising awareness among the population about NCDs and the healthcare system.

Las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles (ENT) son consideradas una de las principales causas de muerte a nivel mundial. Durante la pandemia de COVID-19, estas enfermedades han sido desatendidas debido a la sobrecarga de las Unidades Básicas de Salud (UBS). En ese contexto, el objetivo de este estudio es analizar el vínculo entre los pacientes con enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles (ECNT) y la atención primaria durante la pandemia de COVID-19, buscando identificar el nivel de conocimiento de la población sobre los parámetros de salud y la relación con el sistema de salud. Se realizó un estudio transversal y observacional, en el que se aplicó un cuestionario en línea para recolectar información socioeconómica de los pacientes y su vínculo con las BHU en la región metropolitana de Maringá/PR, abarcando personas mayores de 18 años. La divulgación se realizó en las redes sociales y los interesados respondieron el cuestionario que abordó temas como identificación, uso de medicamentos, información sobre enfermedades, conocimientos sobre ECNT y datos generales relacionados con el COVID-19. Las respuestas obtenidas y analizadas revelaron un bajo nivel de vinculación de esta población con la atención primaria, así como un desconocimiento sobre las ECNT y su propia salud durante la pandemia. Hubo una notable reducción en la demanda de servicios de salud durante este período, lo que puede explicarse por el temor a la contaminación por el nuevo coronavirus. Este estudio se presenta como una herramienta importante para comprender la respuesta de los pacientes a los desafíos de salud pública durante la pandemia. Puede convertirse en un valioso aliado para enfrentar futuras pandemias y crisis endémicas, posibilitando mejoras en la atención y concientización de la población sobre las ECNT y el sistema de salud.

As doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNTs) são consideradas uma das principais causas de morte em todo o mundo. Durante a pandemia da COVID-19, essas doenças têm sido negligenciadas devido à sobrecarga das Unidades Básicas de Saúde (BHU). Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo é analisar o vínculo dos pacientes com DCNTs com a atenção primária durante a pandemia da COVID-19, ao mesmo tempo em que busca identificar o nível de conhecimento da população sobre os parâmetros de saúde e o relacionamento com o sistema de saúde. Realizou-se um estudo transversal e observacional, no qual foi aplicado um questionário online para coletar informações socioeconômicas dos pacientes e seu vínculo com as BHUs na região metropolitana de Maringá/PR, abrangendo indivíduos maiores de 18 anos. A divulgação foi realizada em mídias sociais e os interessados responderam ao questionário que abordou tópicos como identificação, uso de medicações, informações sobre doenças, conhecimento acerca das DCNTs e dados gerais relacionados à COVID-19. As respostas obtidas e analisadas revelaram um baixo nível de vínculo dessa população com a atenção primária, assim como uma falta de conhecimento sobre as DCNTs e a própria saúde durante a pandemia. Observou-se uma notável redução na procura por serviços de saúde durante esse período, o que pode ser explicado pelo receio da contaminação pelo novo coronavírus. Este estudo se apresenta como uma ferramenta importante para compreender a resposta dos pacientes frente aos desafios da saúde pública durante a pandemia. Ele pode se tornar um aliado valioso para lidar com futuras pandemias e crises endêmicas, possibilitando melhorias nos cuidados e na conscientização da população sobre as DCNTs e o sistema de saúde.

Change in covid-19 risk over time following vaccination with CoronaVac: test negative case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the change in odds of covid-19 over time following primary series completion of the inactivated whole virus vaccine CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech) in São Paulo State, Brazil. DESIGN: Test negative case-control study. SETTING: Community testing for covid-19 in São Paulo State, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged ≥18 years who were residents of São Paulo state, had received two doses of CoronaVac, did not have a laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection before vaccination, and underwent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for SARS-CoV-2 from 17 January to 14 December 2021. Cases were matched to test negative controls by age (in 5 year bands), municipality of residence, healthcare worker status, and epidemiological week of RT-PCR test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: RT-PCR confirmed symptomatic covid-19 and associated hospital admissions and deaths. Conditional logistic regression was adjusted for sex, number of covid-19 associated comorbidities, race, and previous acute respiratory illness. RESULTS: From 202 741 eligible people, 52 170 cases with symptomatic covid-19 and 69 115 test negative controls with covid-19 symptoms were formed into 43 257 matched sets. Adjusted odds ratios of symptomatic covid-19 increased with time since completion of the vaccination series. The increase in odds was greater in younger people and among healthcare workers, although sensitivity analyses suggested that this was in part due to bias. In addition, the adjusted odds ratios of covid-19 related hospital admission or death significantly increased with time compared with the odds 14-41 days after series completion: from 1.25 (95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.51) at 70-97 days up to 1.94 (1.41 to 2.67) from 182 days onwards. CONCLUSIONS: Significant increases in the risk of moderate and severe covid-19 outcomes occurred three months after primary vaccination with CoronaVac among people aged 65 and older. These findings provide supportive evidence for the implementation of vaccine boosters in these populations who received this inactivated vaccine. Studies of waning should include analyses designed to uncover common biases.

Effectiveness of ChAdOx1 vaccine in older adults during SARS-CoV-2 Gamma variant circulation in São Paulo.

A two-dose regimen of the Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1) Covid-19 vaccine with an inter-dose interval of three months has been implemented in many countries with restricted vaccine supply. However, there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of ChAdOx1 by dose in elderly populations in countries with high prevalence of the Gamma variant of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we estimate ChAdOx1 effectiveness by dose against the primary endpoint of RT-PCR-confirmed Covid-19, and secondary endpoints of Covid-19 hospitalization and Covid-19-related death, in adults aged ≥60 years during an epidemic with high Gamma variant prevalence in São Paulo state, Brazil using a matched, test-negative case-control study. Starting 28 days after the first dose, effectiveness of a single dose of ChAdOx1 is 33.4% (95% CI, 26.4-39.7) against Covid-19, 55.1% (95% CI, 46.6-62.2) against hospitalization, and 61.8% (95% CI, 48.9-71.4) against death. Starting 14 days after the second dose, effectiveness of the two-dose schedule is 77.9% (95% CI, 69.2-84.2) against Covid-19, 87.6% (95% CI, 78.2-92.9) against hospitalization, and 93.6% (95% CI, 81.9-97.7) against death. Completion of the ChAdOx1 vaccine schedule affords significantly increased protection over a single dose against mild and severe Covid-19 outcomes in elderly individuals during widespread Gamma variant circulation.

Effectiveness of the CoronaVac vaccine in older adults during a gamma variant associated epidemic of covid-19 in Brazil: test negative case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effectiveness of the inactivated whole virus vaccine, CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech), against symptomatic covid-19 in the elderly population of São Paulo state, Brazil during widespread circulation of the gamma variant. DESIGN: Test negative case-control study. SETTING: Community testing for covid-19 in São Paulo state, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: 43 774 adults aged ≥70 years who were residents of São Paulo state and underwent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for SARS-CoV-2 from 17 January to 29 April 2021. 26 433 cases with symptomatic covid-19 and 17 622 test negative controls with covid-19 symptoms were formed into 13 283 matched sets, one case with to up to five controls, according to age, sex, self-reported race, municipality of residence, previous covid-19 status, and date of RT-PCR test (±3 days). INTERVENTION: Vaccination with a two dose regimen of CoronaVac. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: RT-PCR confirmed symptomatic covid-19 and associated hospital admissions and deaths. RESULTS: Adjusted vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic covid-19 was 24.7% (95% confidence interval 14.7% to 33.4%) at 0-13 days and 46.8% (38.7% to 53.8%) at ≥14 days after the second dose. Adjusted vaccine effectiveness against hospital admissions was 55.5% (46.5% to 62.9%) and against deaths was 61.2% (48.9% to 70.5%) at ≥14 days after the second dose. Vaccine effectiveness ≥14 days after the second dose was highest for the youngest age group (70-74 years)-59.0% (43.7% to 70.2%) against symptomatic disease, 77.6% (62.5% to 86.7%) against hospital admissions, and 83.9% (59.2% to 93.7%) against deaths-and declined with increasing age. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination with CoronaVac was associated with a reduction in symptomatic covid-19, hospital admissions, and deaths in adults aged ≥70 years in a setting with extensive transmission of the gamma variant. Vaccine protection was, however, low until completion of the two dose regimen, and vaccine effectiveness was observe to decline with increasing age among this elderly population.

Change in COVID-19 risk over time following vaccination with CoronaVac: A testnegative case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the change in odds of covid-19 over time following primary series completion of the inactivated whole virus vaccine, CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech) in São Paulo state, Brazil. DESIGN: Test negative case-control study. SETTING: Community testing for covid-19 in São Paulo state, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged 18-120 years who were residents of São Paulo state, without a previous laboratory-confirmed covid-19 infection, who received only two doses of CoronaVac, and underwent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for SARS-CoV-2 from 17 January to 30 September 2021. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: RT-PCR-confirmed symptomatic covid-19 and associated hospital admissions and deaths. Cases were pair-matched to test-negative controls by age (in 5-year bands), municipality of residence, healthcare worker (HCW) status, and date of RT-PCR test (±3 days). Conditional logistic regression was adjusted for sex, number of covid-19-associated comorbidities, race, and previous acute respiratory infection. RESULTS: From 137,820 eligible individuals, 37,929 cases with symptomatic covid-19 and 25,756 test-negative controls with covid-19 symptoms were formed into 37,929 matched pairs. Adjusted odds ratios of symptomatic covid-19 increased with time since series completion, and this increase was greater in younger individuals, and among HCWs compared to non-HCWs. Adjusted odds ratios of covid-19 hospitalisation or death were significantly increased from 98 days since series completion, compared to individuals vaccinated 14-41 days previously: 1.40 (95% confidence interval 1.09 to 1.79) from 98-125 days, 1.55 (1.16 to 2.07) from 126-153 days, 1.56 (1.12 to 2.18) from 154-181 days, and 2.12 (1.39-3.22) from 182 days. CONCLUSIONS: In the general population of São Paulo state, Brazil, an increase in odds of moderate and severe covid-19 outcomes was observed over time following primary series completion with CoronaVac.

Yellow fever surveillance challenge: Investigation of a marmoset non-autochthonous case.

Yellow fever (YF) surveillance in Brazil is focused mainly on the detection of epizootic events regarding New World non-human primates (NWNHP). We present a challenging case of a Callitrichidae (Callithrix spp) kept as a domiciliated pet that lived in the urban area of São Paulo municipality and was positive to YF virus by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. After investigation, it was the first occurrence of non-autochthonous YF case of NWNHP described, with probable place of infection in the North shore of São Paulo state. This case illustrates the importance of coordinated laboratorial and field actions, and risks posed by transit of wildlife.

Genomic Surveillance of Yellow Fever Virus Epizootic in São Paulo, Brazil, 2016 - 2018.

São Paulo, a densely inhabited state in southeast Brazil that contains the fourth most populated city in the world, recently experienced its largest yellow fever virus (YFV) outbreak in decades. YFV does not normally circulate extensively in São Paulo, so most people were unvaccinated when the outbreak began. Surveillance in non-human primates (NHPs) is important for determining the magnitude and geographic extent of an epizootic, thereby helping to evaluate the risk of YFV spillover to humans. Data from infected NHPs can give more accurate insights into YFV spread than when using data from human cases alone. To contextualise human cases, identify epizootic foci and uncover the rate and direction of YFV spread in São Paulo, we generated and analysed virus genomic data and epizootic case data from NHPs in São Paulo. We report the occurrence of three spatiotemporally distinct phases of the outbreak in São Paulo prior to February 2018. We generated 51 new virus genomes from YFV positive cases identified in 23 different municipalities in São Paulo, mostly sampled from NHPs between October 2016 and January 2018. Although we observe substantial heterogeneity in lineage dispersal velocities between phylogenetic branches, continuous phylogeographic analyses of generated YFV genomes suggest that YFV lineages spread in São Paulo at a mean rate of approximately 1km per day during all phases of the outbreak. Viral lineages from the first epizootic phase in northern São Paulo subsequently dispersed towards the south of the state to cause the second and third epizootic phases there. This alters our understanding of how YFV was introduced into the densely populated south of São Paulo state. Our results shed light on the sylvatic transmission of YFV in highly fragmented forested regions in São Paulo state and highlight the importance of continued surveillance of zoonotic pathogens in sentinel species.

Pesquisas operacionais em tuberculose no Estado de São Paulo / Operational research in tuberculosis in the State of São Paulo

O Estado de São Paulo, com 41 milhões de habitantes, descobre cerca de 21.000 casos de tuberculose (TB) por ano. Trata-se do maior contingente do País, com um coeficiente de incidência de 45 casos por 100.000 habitantes, verificando-se nos últimos anos uma estabilidade neste número. O Plano Regional da TB 2006-2015 da Opas vem sendo seguido pelo Programa de Controle da TB do Estado de São Paulo (PCT-SP), acompanhando o fortalecimento da estratégia DOTS, contemplada na estratégia do STOP-TB, parceria com a OMS. Um dos seus seis componentes adicionais é promover e facilitar investigações operacionais em TB, concebidas como ferramenta que contribua para a implementação/ aceleração/expansão do DOTS; devem envolver não só o pessoal de saúde como também a universidade e autoridades públicas. Em relação à situação das investigações operacionais na “Região das Américas”, não existe uma clara consciência do papel das investigações no controle eficaz da TB, tampouco constituem prioridade dentro dos PCT. Grande parte dos estudos que se efetuam não é divulgada; ou, uma vez terminados, estes não podem ser implementados ou não estão dirigidos à resolução das limitações epidemiológicas e operacionais dos PCT. Ainda em 2007, iniciou-se o Projeto Fundo Global de Luta Contra a AIDS, Tuberculose e Malária –The Global Fund, instituição voltada ao apoio de ações de controle destas doenças nos países de maior prevalência, a partir de propostas apresentadas em parceria por instituições representativas da sociedade civil organizada e governos. Este projeto para a TB prevê, em um dos seus objetivos, promover e facilitar as investigações operacionais. O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever as investigações operacionais realizadas pela coordenação do PCT-SP/DvTBC/CVE/CCD/SES-SP, em 2007.

The use of sugar fortified with iron tris-glycinate chelate in the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in preschool children

In the present work, the effectiveness of consumption for 6 months of iron fortified sugar in the prevention or control of iron deficiency anemia was evaluated in 93 children (10-48 months old) attending a day care center in SÒo Paulo, Brazil. Each child consumed 20 g of fortified sugar per day for 5 days a week in orange juice during breakfast. Two levels of fortification were tested using iron tris-glycinate chelate as the source of iron. Level one sugar contained 10 mg of iron/kg of sugar, and level 2, 100 mg of iron/kg. The children were assigned to either of the two groups. The first group (n = 42) received level 1 sugar, and those of group two (n = 52) received level 2 sugar. The daily iron intake corresponded to 2 and 20 of the RDA. At the end of the 6 months trial period, significant increases in weight/height ratio was observed in both groups. In the group consuming level 1 fortified sugar the mean change in hemoglobin concentration was 0.4 g/dL (from 11.3 grams to 11.7 g/dL), and in the group consuming level two fortified sugar the mean hemoglobin increase was also 0.4 g/dL (from 11.6 to 12.0 g/dL). Both changes were highly significant (p < 0.001). When only the anemic children were considered (32/93), the increment of hemoglobin was 1.4 g/dL. In anemic children there was a significant increase in the levels of serum ferritin. The increase was more notorious in group 2 children. We verified that the acceptability of the iron-fortified sugar was excellent. There were no detectable changes in the organoleptic characteristics of the fortified sugar as compared with unfortified sugar. No differences in response were observed between the two groups indicating that probably the lower level of iron was absorbed more efficiently that the higher level. The iron tris-glycinate chelate was very well tolerated with no side effects registered. It was concluded that even with low iron levels, the consumption of iron fortified sugar is an effective, low cost intervention for the control and prevention of iron deficiency anemia in preschool children.