Análise das manifestações auditivas em individuos com hipertensão arterial sistêmica

Objective: To determine the prevalence of auditory manifestations in individuals with hypertension and analyze the association between hearing loss, systemic hypertension and quality of life in hypertensive patients. Method: This was a prospective, observational, case-control study, carried out from June 2010 to December 2013 at the University Hospital Onofre Lopes, in Natal, Brazil, which involved 120 patients of both sexes were analyzed with a diagnosis of hypertension and 120 patients without a diagnosis of hypertension. The audiological function was assessed by tonal and vocal audiometry. The quality of life was defines by the MINICHAL BRASIL questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of hearing loss was high in both groups (82.5 % and 75.8 %, in hypertension group and control, respectively, p=0.003). The sensorineural was the most common type of hearing loss (48.5 %) in hypertension group while conductive hearing loss was predominant (61.5 %) in the control group. There were no difference in the intensity of hearing loss between the groups (p=0,21). The main hearing complaint was hearing loss (51 %), followed by ear pain (14 %). There was worse quality of life in hypertensive individuals with hearing loss (p= 0.0001). Conclusion: Hypertensive individuals showed higher prevalence of auditory events, including hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss is predominant . Hearing loss is associated with worse quality of life of hypertensive individuals even when these pressure values are within normal limits

Abordagem dos aspectos psicológicos da mulher infértil :um estudo quali-quantitativo

Purpose: assess the frequency of stress and anxiety levels in infertile women, correlate these aspects with risk factors and qualitatively analyze feelings resultant from the inability to conceive, in order to obtain data for specific psychological guidance. Methods: the case-control study included a total of 302 women, 152 being infertile (case group: 30.3 ± 5.4 years), and 150 non-fertile (control group: 25.7 ± 7.9 years). The quantitative approach involved the application of Lipp s Stress Symptoms Inventory (LSSI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), whereas the qualitative approach consisted of a semi-structured interview. Response variables considered were: stress frequency and anxiety scores (State and Trait). Statistical analysis compared frequencies and medians between groups, by means of qui-squared and Mann-Whitney tests, respectively, and constructed logistical regression models to test associations between response variables and risk factors considered. Qualitative data were analyzed descriptively and categorized in order to perform correspondence analysis. The level of significance was 5%. Results: in the study sample, stress frequency was higher in the case group than in the control(61.8 and 36.0%, respectively), however, significant differences were not observed between groups in relation to stress phases and predominant symptomology type. With respect to anxiety, there were no significant differences between case and control groups as to median state scores [39.5 (35.0 46.0) and 41.0 (35.7 47.0 ); respectively) and anxiety trait scores [44.0 (34.0 51.0) and 42.0 (36.0 49.2); respectively). Risk factors significantly associated with greater risk for high anxiety scores in the case group were: primary infertility, unawareness of the causal factor, diagnostic phase investigation, religion, lack of children from other marriages and the fact that the woman was previously married. The qualitative approach demonstrated that infertility provokes emotional responses, such as sadness, anxiety, anger, fear and guilt. Conclusions: it can be concluded that infertile women are more vulnerable to stress; however, they are capable of adapting to stressful events without serious physical or psychological compromising

Estudo dos fatores associados à infecção chagásica em área endêmica do Rio Grande do Norte

The Chagas disease is a infectious and parasite disease that has as the causative agent a Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that can be transmitted to humans by the faeces of triatomines ( barbeiros ) in the blood-sucking. To understand the relationship between factors associated with chagasic infection and the risk of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, this work aimed to make a correlation between the results of serology, obtained by different immunological techniques, used for diagnosis of Chagas disease and risk factors to which the population of the city of Apodi-RN is exposed, to be considered a endemic area. The case-control study was conducted with 199 individuals, which initially was applied a questionary about socio-economic questions and some risk factors which they were exposed and also favor the spread of disease. Then was given the diagnosis by immunological techniques of serology by indirect hemagglutination, ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence. From the diagnosis, the subjects were divided into case group (presence of infection) and control group (no infection). Regarding the descriptive characteristics of the sample, were found a higher frequency of female individuals (59.3%), between 36 and 50 years of age (36.7%), with low education level (91%) and income monthly up to 1 minimum wage (67.8%). The serology, performed by three techniques of different principles, had a reactivity of 38.9% by Indirect Hemagglutination, 39.7% by ELISA and 38.7% by Indirect Immunofluorescence. As the result of the serology, 71 of samples showed reactivity in 2 or more techniques. On some risk variables, was found a significant relationship between individuals who had been bitten by the triatomines and had positive serology for Chagas disease (93.3%). Other variables of risk revealed individuals who had positive serology and had domestic animal (80.3%), lived in poorly maintained homes (97.2%) and near the forest (84.5%). A better understanding of the dynamics of transmission of T. cruzi and the risk factors that contribute to its occurrence in a region are needed to develop effective strategies for control of Chagas disease in these áreas

Edentulismo funcional e seus fatores de risco em adultos

The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors to the functional edentulism in adults aged 35 a 44 years old of Natal-RN, 278 adults took part in the study. They were all selected from a previous dental loss prevalence study thus being complemented by an active research. The study was a case-control based and data collection was made though a survey as well as with a clinical examination. The cases were identified through individuals with 20 or more teeth. Age and gender were used as variables of pairing off. The data was analyzed through chi-square, significant level of 95% to the checking of its force associations. The independent variables were grouped in three levels. The first one, more macro, is related to the region where the individual lives, which was also related to the second level, the family-based one, linked with a third level, at this low socio-economical level, where the domiciliary density was favorable, living in capital cities, regions with prime sanitary condicitions, with predominant possibility of accessing the public dental service, but in despite of this, only looking for this service when tooth ache is felt, where preferentially an aid dressing treatment is executed in detriment of preventive procedures. From all the samples, less than 25% of the individuals make use of tobacco and alcoholic beverages for quite a number of years. There was an association of functional edentulism with all the studied variables in a regional method. In the family-based with Critério Brasil (OR=4,45) and monthly wages (OR=9,62) and to an to an individual level, the associations took place with the current use of kind of attendance (OR=1,78), looks for dressing treatment (OR=2,51), does not look for preventive treatment (OR=3,31), pain as the main cause of demand (OR=1,92), previous treatment as the demanding reason for dental service (OR+0,28), interval of the last visit to the dental service (OR=1,35) and when advise was received (OR=1,66). It was noticed from the results that the functional edentulism is much more expressive in those families which live in environments with precarious social economical sanitary conditions. Such conditions seem to have a direct influence upon the family social economical conditions which are also shown in detriment to functional edentulism. In the same way, the collection of variants influence the social economical conditions of the individual, as well as the kind of dental service searched by them, the reason of the search and the interval of the last visit to the dental service were strong determiners to the functional edentulism. Beyond that, individual habits like the use of tobacco and its frequency on its previous use influenced in a significant way the existence of functional edentulism in the studied population

Tontura em idosos institucionalizados da cidade do NATAL/RN: Um estudo caso-controle em vestibulopatas e não-vestibulopatas

the institutionalized elderly presents for being more fragile a lot of body balance s changes, which can induce falls and health frailty. One of the consequences of it is the appearance of dizziness, vestibular or not. This study aims to identify the risk factors related to dizziness in institutionalized elderly, with and without vestibular disorders, in the city of Natal-RN. Method: a case-control study realized in 12 regulated by Health Surveillance Long Term Care Institutions for the elderly in Natal-RN. Elected seniors with good cognitive level and able to walk, totaling 115 individuals, and of these, 102 were selected according to the presence of dizziness in the last year (n = 51) and their controls (n = 51), paired by sex and age. The 51 elderly patients with dizziness were divided into 3 groups case: case one, for elderly with dizziness and without vestibulopathy (n=38); case two, for elderly with dizziness and vestibulopathy (n=13) and case three, for all the seniors with dizziness, or added to the case 1 case 2 (n=51). The 51 seniors who served as controls were also divided into three groups, according to the number of individuals of each case: control 1, n = 38, control 2, n = 13 control and 3 (sum of 1 control with control 2), n = 51. As possible risk factors were analyzed variables related to characteristics of the institution, to the habits of life of older people and those concerned with the health of the elderly. For statistical analysis, we used the chi-square or Fisher exact test for a significance level of 5% and calculating the association magnitude between variables by measuring the Odds Ratio. Results: as risk factors for dizziness without vestibular disorders were found the presence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, as well as the presence of three or more disorders for elderly and use of gastric protector drugs. For the elderly group from case two were found no associated risk factor. For elderly patients with dizziness in the case group three, we observed the same risk factors found for the elderly in the case group one, plus the presence of osteoarthritis pathology, which was also significant for this group. Conclusion: dizziness in institutionalized elderly is associated with systemic common diseases in this age group and the vestibulopathy presents itself as pathology on an isolated way, not being possible, with our data, associate it with non-risk factors

Upper gastrointestinal histopathological findings in children and adolescents with nonulcer dyspepsia with helicobacter pylori infection

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the histopathological lesions in the upper gastrointestinal mucosa associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in children with nonulcer dyspepsia.Methods: A cross-sectional case-control study was performed on 185 Brazilian children and adolescents (4-17 years, mean 9.5 +/- 2.7 years), 63.2% girls, submitted to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The histopathological lesions of the esophageal and gastric mucosa were analyzed in biopsy samples.Results: H pylori infection was identified in 96 children (51.8%). Moderate to severe chronic active gastritis was present in antrum (70.5%) and corpus (45.2%), with higher grading in antrum than in corpus (P<0.05). The topographic distribution of inflammation was pangastritis (61.9%), followed by antral (32.1%) and corpus (5.9%). H pylori density was higher in antrum than in corpus. Intestinal metaplasia was not found in the H pylori-infected group, nor was significant gastric atrophy. The scores for esophagitis were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the noninfected group (1.4 +/- 0.8) than in the H pylori-infected group (1.07 +/- 0.9), with significant negative correlation (r = 0.29; P<0.05) with the scores of gastric inflammation.Conclusions: The prevalence of H pylori infection was high among children with dyspepsia and associated with moderate/severe degrees of gastric inflammation. The high scores of esophagitis in the noninfected group point to 2 distinct groups of pathological conditions sharing similar clinical patterns.

Doenças respiratórias associadas à atividade de mineração no município de Parelhas, região do seridó norte-riograndense

This work aims to characterize the workers in mineral activities exposed to lung injuries in Parelhas Municipality, Rio Grande do Norte State, seeking to relate respiratory diseases to the mining activity. The studied area (Parelhas City), with about 19,700 inhabitants, is located in the Serido region, approximately 232 km far from Natal City. The number of people involved in informal mining activity (garimpo) in the Seridó region reaches about 5,000. These workers generally do not use any kind of individual protection equipments and develop, at early ages of greater productivity, severe forms of diseases, which end up disabling them to professional activities, family and social life. Deceases by respiratory problems (e.g. silicosis) have been reported in very young adults. A descriptive observational study was conducted based on information from the records found in Dr. José Augusto Dantas Hospital, between the years 1996- 2006. The occupational and socio-economic features of the population, which was selected by using the hospital records, were achieved through individually answered forms. The purpose was to link the occupational activities with the respiratory diseases. The next stage of the research was an observational case-control study, in the 1:1 proportion. The achieved data allowed confirming the central hypothesis of the research, which states that the pneumoconiosis cases are due to the mineral-based activities in the studied area. The final step of the investigation tried to assess the knowledge of relatives of students in public and private elementary and high schools from Parelhas City, regarding silicosis. About 15.4% of urban schools were analyzed through application of a structured questionnaire. The results show distinct socio-economic levels and a difference in the perception of the relatives of students in public and private schools, concerning silicosis. It was possible to identify the characteristics of the population economically involved with mineral-based activities and to define the group that deserves preferential attention in preventive actions. The work indicates some environmental problems caused by inadequate mining operations in the region

Risk factors for hidradenitis suppurativa: a pilot study

A hidradenite supurativa é uma doença inflamatória crônica debilitante de etiologia parcialmente compreendida. Realizamos um estudo piloto tipo caso-controle pareado por sexo e idade com outros pacientes dermatológicos para analisar prováveis fatores de risco associados a esta doença. Incluímos 15 casos e 45 controles, sendo 67% mulheres. Análise bivariada e multivariada por regressão logística identificou associação significativa com tabagismo, índice de massa corporal mais elevado e história familiar. O uso de contraceptivos hormonais foi menos frequente nas portadoras de hidradenite.

Prevalência de lesões cutâneas actínicas em pacientes com carcinoma basocelular do segmento cefálico: um estudo caso-controle

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de lesões cutâneas actínicas em portadores de carcinoma basocelular do segmento cefálico. MÉTODOS: Foi conduzido estudo tipo caso-controle. Os casos, constituídos por pacientes com carcinoma basocelular sólido, primário, menor que dois centímetros, no segmento cefálico; e controles, por pacientes com outras dermatoses. Foram analisadas variáveis constitucionais, comportamentais e lesões actínicas. RESULTADOS: Avaliaram-se 120 casos e 360 controles. Mílio facial (OR = 2,3), leucodermia puntacta de membros superiores (OR = 2,9) e cutis romboidalis nuchae (OR = 1,8) associaram-se à neoplasia independentemente das demais variáveis, sugerindo um fenótipo de risco. Houve ainda associação com fenótipos claros, genética familiar e exposição solar cumulativa. Queimadura solar, tabagismo e alcoolismo não foram identificados como fatores de risco. O uso de fotoprotetores não evidenciou proteção; porém, o grupo controle era composto por pacientes dermatológicos, aos quais são indicados fotoprotetores regularmente. CONCLUSÃO: Lesões actínicas foram mais prevalentes em portadores de carcinoma basocelular sólido do segmento cefálico que em controles, especialmente mílio, cutis romboidalis nuchae e leucodermia puntacta, independentemente dos demais fatores de risco conhecidos.

Associação entre doença arterial coronariana e as pregas lobular diagonal e anterotragal em homens

FUNDAMENTOS: Diversas alterações dermatológicas foram associadas à doença arterial coronariana, representando achados de fácil constatação que podem contribuir na estratificação não invasiva do risco cardíaco. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar comparativamente a prevalência de certos achados dermatológicos em pacientes com ou sem doença arterial coronariana. MÉTODOS: Estudo caso/controle envolvendo pacientes do sexo masculino submetidos à cineangiocoronariografia. Foram considerados aqueles casos com obstrução de mais de 50% em pelo menos uma coronária. Avaliou-se a presença da prega lobular diagonal, prega anterotragal, alopecia e presença de pêlos no tórax nos dois grupos. Os resultados foram ajustados para os fatores de risco: tabagismo, hipertensão, diabetes, idade, dislipidemia e índice de massa corporal. RESULTADOS: Analisaram-se 110 pacientes (80 casos e 30 controles). A prevalência da prega lobular diagonal nos casos (60,0%) foi maior do que no grupo controle (30,0%) (p<0,05). Alopecia androgenética e distribuição de pêlos no tórax não demonstraram associação positiva com coronariopatia neste estudo. O Odds Ratio (IC 95%), da prega lobular diagonal foi de 3,1 (1,2-8,3) e para prega anterotragal foi de 5,5 (1,9-16,3). A verificação simultânea da prega lobular diagonal e prega anterotragal representou valor preditivo positivo de 90%. CONCLUSÕES: Detectou-se associação positiva entre a presença da prega lobular diagonal bilateral e prega anterotragal bilateral com doença arterial coronariana, sendo que a presença simultânea das duas pregas apresenta alta preditividade para doença arterial coronariana.

Risk factors for recovery of Imipenem-or ceftazidime-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa among patients admitted to a teaching hospital in Brazil

background. The prevalence of resistance to imipenem and ceftazidime among Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates is increasing worldwide.objective. Risk factors for nosocomial recovery ( defined as the finding of culture- positive isolates after hospital admission) of imipenemresistant P. aeruginosa ( IRPA) and ceftazidime- resistant P. aeruginosa ( CRPA) were determined.design. Two separate case- control studies were conducted. Control subjects were matched to case patients ( ratio, 2: 1) on the basis of admission to the same ward at the same time as the case patient. Variables investigated included demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, and the classes of antimicrobials used.setting. The study was conducted in a 400- bed general teaching hospital in Campinas, Brazil that has 14,500 admissions per year. Case patients and control subjects were selected from persons who were admitted to the hospital during 1992 - 2002.results. IRPA and CRPA isolates were obtained from 108 and 55 patients, respectively. Statistically significant risk factors for acquisition of IRPA were previous admission to another hospital ( odds ratio [ OR], 4.21 [ 95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.40- 12.66];), hemodialysis Pp. 01 ( OR, 7.79 [ 95% CI, 1.59- 38.16];), and therapy with imipenem ( OR, 18.51 [ 95% CI, 6.30- 54.43];), amikacin ( OR, 3.22 Pp. 01 P !.001 [ 95% CI, 1.40- 7.41];), and/ or vancomycin ( OR, 2.48 [ 95% CI, 1.08- 5.64];). Risk factors for recovery of CRPA were Pp. 005 Pp. 03 previous admission to another hospital ( OR, 18.69 [ 95% CI, 2.00- 174.28];) and amikacin use ( OR, 3.69 [ 95% CI, 1.32- 10.35]; Pp. 01). Pp. 01conclusion. Our study suggests a definite role for several classes of antimicrobials as risk factors for recovery of IRPA but not for recovery of CRPA. Limiting the use of only imipenem and ceftazidime may not be a wise strategy to contain the spread of resistant P. aeruginosa strains.

Risk factors for acquisition of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among patients from a burn unit in Brazil

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important agent of colonization and infection in burn units. in order to identify risk factors for MRSA acquisition in a Brazilian burn unit, we performed two retrospective studies. In the first ("cohort" study), 175 patients who were not colonized with MRSA on admission were followed to assess risk factors for MRSA acquisition. in the second ("case-case-control" study), 143 individuals from the previous study who were negative for both MRSA and Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) on admission were followed. Case-control studies were performed to investigate risk factors for MRSA and MSSA acquisition. MRSA and MSSA were recovered from 75 and 23 patients, respectively. In the "cohort" study, only the number of wound excisions (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.55, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.21-1.98, P = 0.001) was associated with MRSA acquisition. in the "case-case-control" study, burns involving head (OR=3.43, 95%CI = 1.50-7.81, P = 0.003) and the number of wound excisions (OR = 1.83, 95%CI = 1.27-2.63, P = 0.001) were significant risk factors for MRSA. Burns involving perineum were negatively associated with MSSA acquisition (OR = 0.16, 95%CI = 0.03-0.75, P = 0.02). In conclusion, the acquisition of MRSA was related to the site of the burn and to the surgical manipulation of tissues, but not to the use of antimicrobials. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

Genetic, epidemiological and biological analysis of interleukin-10 promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms suggests a definitive role for-819C/T in leprosy susceptibility

Leprosy is a complex infectious disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The genetic contributing factors are considered heterogeneous and several genes have been consistently associated with susceptibility like PARK2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA) and vitamin-D receptor (VDR). Here, we combined a case-control study (374 patients and 380 controls), with meta-analysis (5 studies; 2702 individuals) and biological study to test the epidemiological and physiological relevance of the interleukin-10 (IL-10) genetic markers in leprosy. We observed that the -819T allele is associated with leprosy susceptibility either in the case-control or in the meta-analysis studies. Haplotypes combining promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms also implicated a haplotype carrying the -819T allele in leprosy susceptibility (odds ratio (OR) = 1.40; P = 0.01). Finally, we tested IL-10 production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with Mycobacterium leprae antigens and found that -819T carriers produced lower levels of IL-10 when compared with noncarriers. Taken together, these data suggest that low levels of IL-10 during the disease outcome can drive patients to a chronic and unprotective response that culminates with leprosy.

Risk factors for Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia in nonventilated adults

Although most recent publications focus on Ventilator-associated Pneumonia, Non-Ventilator-associated Hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP) is still worrisome. We studied risk factors for NVHAP among patients admitted to a small teaching hospital. Sixty-six NVHAP case patients and 66 controls admitted to the hospital from November 2005 through November 2006 were enrolled in a case-control study. Variables under investigation included: demographic characteristics, comorbidities, procedures, invasive devices and use of medications (Sedatives, Antacids, Steroids and Antimicrobials). Univariate and multivariable analysis (hierarchical models of logistic regression) were performed. The incidence of NVHAP in our hospital was 0.68% (1.02 per 1,000 patients-day). Results from multivariable analysis identified risk factors for NVHAP: age (Odds Ratio[OR]=1.03, 95% Confidence Interval[CI]=1.01-1.05, p=0.002), use of Antacids (OR=5.29, 95%CI=1.89-4.79, p=0.001) and Central Nervous System disease (OR=3.13, 95%CI=1.24-7.93, p=0.02). Although our findings are coherent with previous reports, the association of Antacids with NVHAP recalls a controversial issue in the physiopathology of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia, with possible implications for preventive strategies.

Interleukin 18 messenger RNA and proIL-18 protein expression in chorioamniotic membranes from pregnant women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)