Prevalence and Correlates of Cognitive Impairment among the Elderly in a General Hospital

Aims: To estimate the prevalence and correlates of cognitive impairment (CI) among the elderly in a general hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study, including 200 Brazilian inpatients aged 60 years or over, using the Mini Mental State Examination to evaluate CI (dependent variable), and the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Katz and Lawton Index to evaluate basic (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Results: 56% were women, 29% were dependent for BADL and 77.5% for IADL. The prevalence of CI was 29% and, in the logistic regression, it remained associated with higher age (1 74 years old), number of previous hospitalizations (1 3) and dependency for BADL (being dependent raised the odds of being cognitively impaired). Conclusions: It is essential to train the hospital staff to properly assist these patients, and to orient and support their caregivers. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

Psychiatric disorders and psychiatric consultation in a general hospital: A case- control study

Introduction: Psychiatric consultation (PC) has been considered an efficient tool to develop research, to track and to give assistance benefiting patients, health professionals and the institution. However, it has not been much used in Brazil. Although 30 to 50% of general hospital (GH) inpatients may present a psychiatric disorder, only 1 to 12% of them are referred to assessment. The aims of this study were: to assess mental disorders in a GH; to identify which of these patients are sent to psychiatric care; to verify alleged reasons for referral to psychiatric consultation, and to examine the relationship between PC and psychiatric learning (during medical school and residence). Methods: A case-control patient study was conducted (47 cases and 94 controls) to analyze in detail the following variables: socio-demographic; clinical; degree of information (about the disease and diagnostic/therapeutic procedures), and relationship between patient and health team. Psychiatric diagnoses were made according to the ICD- 10 criteria. The Self Report Questionnaire (SRQ), the CAGE and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) were used as well as a specifically designed questionnaire to collect clinical and demographic data. Results: Behavioral alterations, either of elation or of depression, were the main for requesting a PC; 95.8% of the cases and 27.7% of the controls had a mental disorder. Organic mental disorders and alcohol-related disorders were the most frequent diagnoses in group I (cases), while anxiety, depressive and alcohol-related disorders were predominant in group II (controls). Control group patients were better informed and more able to establish an appropriate relationship with the health team than case patients. The logistic regression showed CAGE-positive patients having 12.85 times greater risk of being referred to PC, followed by unemployed patients (2.44 times more PC referrals). Discussion: The SRQ and CAGE were quite useful in the screening of possible patients and might be important for medical students to learn and use as generalists. Further research is needed to verify if and how the newly-established service will improve the diagnostic and treatment skills of our students.

Causes of death of thoroughbred racehorses at Octavio Dupont Veterinary Hospital, Brazilian Jockey Club, Rio de Janeiro

Existem poucas pesquisas que abordam estudos epidemiológicos de mortes em cavalos de corrida de uma forma ampla. A maioria restringe-se a uma afecção ou procedimento específico. O Brasil não possui um programa de monitoramento de mortes instituído. Através de um estudo descritivo em associação a metodologia multivariada de análise, realizou-se um estudo epidemiológico de causa mortis relacionadas com afecções musculosqueléticas (MS), gastrointestinais (GI), sistema respiratório (RES), neurológico (NEU) e mortes súbitas (SD) durante os anos de 2002 a 2008 no Hospital Octavio Dupont, Rio de Janeiro. Os machos representaram o sexo mais afetado e a causa mortis relacionada com a taxa geral de mortalidade por grandes grupos de causas determinadas apresentou a seguinte ordem decrescentemente: MS>GI>SD>NEU>RES. A maioria dos óbitos registrados foi de cavalos na faixa etária de quatro a cinco anos (ID4-ID5). Seguidamente, observaram-se as seguintes relações de correspondência: (Triênio = SM-ID>5-SD; ID>5-GI; ID4-5-MS; SF-ID<4-RES/NEU); (Quatriênio = SM - ID>5 - GI; SF - ID<4 - NEU; ID4-5 - MS; GI - ID>5). O presente estudo aponta a importância e necessidade de estudos epidemiológicos sobre lesões em cavalos atletas, objetivando o diagnostico, reconhecimento de fatores predisponentes e prevenção.

Perioperative cardiac arrest and its mortality in children. A 9-year survey in a Brazilian tertiary teaching hospital

Background: the incidence of perioperative cardiac arrest and mortality in children is higher than in adults. This survey evaluated the incidence, causes, and outcome of perioperative cardiac arrests in a pediatric surgical population in a tertiary teaching hospital between 1996 and 2004.Methods: the incidence of cardiac arrest during anesthesia was identified from an anesthesia database. During the study period, 15 253 anesthetics were performed in children. Data collected included patient demographics, surgical procedures (elective, urgent, or emergency), ASA physical status classification, anesthesia provider information, type of surgery, surgical areas, and outcome. All cardiac arrests were reviewed and grouped by the cause of arrest and death into one of four groups: totally anesthesia-related, partially anesthesia-related, totally surgery-related, or totally child disease or condition-related.Results: There were 35 cardiac arrests (22.9 : 10 000) and 15 deaths (9.8 : 10 000). Major risk factors for cardiac arrest were neonates and children under 1 year of age (P < 0.05) with ASA III or poorer physical status (P < 0.05), in emergency surgery (P < 0.05), and general anesthesia (P < 0.05). Child disease/condition was the major cause of cardiac arrest or death (P < 0.05). There were seven cardiac arrests because of anesthesia (4.58 : 10 000) - four totally (2.62 : 10 000) and three partially related to anesthesia (1.96 : 10 000). There were no anesthesia attributable deaths reported. The main causes of anesthesia attributable cardiac arrest were respiratory events (71.5%) and medication-related events (28.5%).Conclusions: Perioperative cardiac arrests were relatively higher in neonates and infants than in older children with severe underlying disease and during emergency surgery. The fact that all anesthesia attributable cardiac arrests were related to airway management and medication administration is important in prevention strategies.

Perioperative cardiac arrest: a study of 53718 anaesthetics over 9 yr from a Brazilian teaching hospital

Background. Little information exists regarding factors influencing perioperative cardiac arrests and their outcome. This survey evaluated the incidence, causes and outcome of perioperative cardiac arrests in a Brazilian tertiary general teaching hospital between April 1996 and March 2005.Methods. The incidence of cardiac arrest during anaesthesia was prospectively identified from an anaesthesia database. There were 53 718 anaesthetics during the study period. Data collected included patient characteristics, surgical procedures (elective, urgent or emergency), ASA physical status classification, anaesthesia provider information, type of surgery, surgical areas and outcome. All cardiac arrests were retrospectively reviewed and grouped by cause of arrest and death into one of four groups: totally anaesthesia related, partially anaesthesia related, totally surgery related or totally patient disease or condition related.Results. One hundred and eighty-six cardiac arrests (34.6:10 000) and 118 deaths (21.97:10 000) were found. Major risk factors for cardiac arrest were neonates, children under 1 yr and the elderly (P < 0.05), male patients with ASA III or poorer physical status (P < 0.05), in emergency surgery (P < 0.05) and under general anaesthesia (P < 0.05). Patient disease/condition was the major cause of cardiac arrest or death (P < 0.05). There were 18 anaesthesia-related cardiac arrests (3.35:10 000)-10 totally attributed (1.86:10 000) and 8 partially related to anaesthesia (1.49:10 000). There were 6 anaesthesia-related deaths (1.12:10 000)-3 totally attributable and 3 partially related to anaesthesia (0.56:10 000 in both cases). The main causes of anaesthesia-related cardiac arrest were respiratory events (55.5%) and medication-related events (44.5%).Conclusions. Perioperative cardiac arrests were relatively higher in neonates, infants, the elderly and in males with severe underlying disease and under emergency surgery. All anaesthesia-related cardiac arrests were related to airway management and medication administration which is important for prevention strategies.

Incidência de parada cardíaca durante anestesia, em hospital universitário de atendimento terciário: estudo prospectivo entre 1996 e 2002

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A incidência e causas de parada cardíaca (PC) durante a anestesia variam e são difíceis de comparar diante dos diversos métodos usados nos estudos. A pesquisa teve como objetivo estudar todas as PC ocorridas no intra e pós-operatório, durante um período de sete anos, de 1996 a 2002, em hospital de ensino de atendimento terciário para determinar incidência e causas da PC. MÉTODO: A incidência prospectiva de PC ocorrida durante a anestesia em 40.941 pacientes consecutivos foi identificada, utilizando-se um Banco de Dados. Todos os casos de PC e óbito foram revisados por uma Comissão, para determinar o fator desencadeante da PC ou óbito. A incidência de PC foi calculada em relação à idade, sexo, estado físico, segundo a classificação da ASA, tipo de atendimento, fatores desencadeantes, como alteração do estado físico do paciente e complicações cirúrgicas e anestésicas, tipo de anestesia e evolução para óbito. RESULTADOS: Ocorreram 138 PC (33,7:10.000), sendo a maioria em recém-nascidos, crianças até um ano e idosos, no sexo masculino (65,2%), em pacientes com estado físico ASA III ou superior, em atendimento de emergência e durante anestesia geral. Alterações do estado físico foram o principal fator de PC (23,9:10.000), seguidas de complicações cirúrgicas isoladamente (4,64:10.000) ou associadas a alterações do estado físico (2,44:10.000) e da anestesia isoladamente (1,71:10.000) ou associadas a alterações do estado físico (0,98:10.000). O risco de óbito relacionado à anestesia como fator principal ou contributivo foi igual para ambos (0,49:10.000). As principais causas da mortalidade associada à anestesia foram os problemas ventilatórios (45,4%), eventos relacionados à medicação empregada (27,3%), aspiração pulmonar (18,2%) e hidratação excessiva (9,1%). CONCLUSÕES: A incidência de PC durante a anestesia ainda continua elevada. A maioria das PC e óbitos associados à anestesia foi relacionada ao manuseio das vias aéreas e à administração de medicamentos e anestésicos.

Clinical and pathological assessment of 82 patients with cardiovascular diseases undergoing autopsy at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu from 1988 to 1993

OBJECTIVE: To evaluated the clinical diagnostic, efficiency for basic death causes in patients dying of circulatory disease and de relative frequency of those diseases. METHODS: Analysis of medical record data of 82 patients, ages from 16 to 84 years old (68 over 40 years old), whose died of circulatory disease and had undergone necropsy in the period from 1988 to 1993 years in the University Hospital of Medicine Faculty of Botucatu-UNESP, Br. RESULTS: The functional class of patients were III or IV, in 78%, and 81.7% needed urgent hospitalization. By the clinical judgment the death were by ischemic heart disease in 32 (21 acute myocardial infarction), Chagas'disease in 12, valvopathy in 11, cardiomyopathy in 7, heart failure with no specification of cardiopathy in 11 and other causes in 9. At the necropsy the death cause was ischemic heart disease in 34 patients, valvopathy in 10, Chagas'disease in 10, cardiomyopathy in 5, and heart failure with no specification of cardiopathy in 2.The concordance taxes were in thhe same order: 94,6%, 90,0%, 83.3%, 71.4% and 28.5%. CONCLUSION: There was a great efficiency of clinical diagnosis for death cause in a general university hospital. The ischemic heart disease were the main causes of death.

Tratamento da doença arterial coronariana em renais crônicos em diálise do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - UNESP

FUNDAMENTO: O tratamento intervencionista da insuficiência coronariana é subempregado nos pacientes em diálise, pois há poucos estudos comprovando sua eficácia. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados do tratamento intervencionista da doença arterial coronariana em pacientes tratados por diálise no HC da FMB. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 34 pacientes em diálise submetidos à angiografia coronariana entre set/95 e out/04, divididos de acordo com a presença ou ausência de lesão coronariana, tipo de tratamento e presença ou ausência de diabetes. Os grupos foram comparados de acordo com suas características clínicas e sobrevida. A sobrevida dos pacientes submetidos a tratamento intervencionista foi comparada à sobrevida geral dos 146 pacientes em diálise na instituição no mesmo período. O tratamento intervencionista foi indicado nas mesmas situações clínicas que na população geral. RESULTADOS: Os 13 pacientes que realizaram coronariografia e não exibiam lesões coronarianas apresentaram sobrevida de 100% em 48 meses, contra 35% dos 21 coronarianos no mesmo período. Os diabéticos coronarianos apresentaram sobrevida inferior aos não-diabéticos. A angioplastia exibiu pior prognóstico quando comparada à cirurgia; entretanto 80% dos submetidos a angioplastia eram diabéticos. Os 17 pacientes submetidos a procedimentos de revascularização coronariana apresentaram sobrevida semelhante aos 146 pacientes gerais do serviço. CONCLUSÃO: Esta pequena casuística mostra que a revascularização miocárdica, quando indicada, pode ser realizada em pacientes em diálise. Esta conclusão é corroborada pelo índice de mortalidade semelhante nos dois extratos de pacientes: coronarianos revascularizados e pacientes em diálise de maneira geral.

Estudo prospectivo observacional sobre a incidência de injúria renal aguda em unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital universitário

OBJETIVO: Analisar comparativamente características clínicas e evolução de pacientes com e sem IRA adquirida em UTI geral de um hospital universitário terciário. MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo observacional com 263 pacientes acompanhados diariamente durante a internação em UTI Geral do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu no período de julho de 2007 a abril de 2008. RESULTADOS: A incidência de IRA foi de 31,2%. Os grupos foram semelhantes quanto ao sexo e diferiram quanto à etiologia da admissão em UTI (sepse: 31,7% x 13,1%, p < 0,0001, pós-operatório: 11% x 43%, p < 0,0001), idade (59,6 ± 18,1 x 50,2 ± 18,6 anos, p < 0,0001), APACHE II: (21 ± 11,1 x 11 ± 4,8, p = 0,002), oligúria (67,7% x 4,5%, p < 0,0001), presença de ventilação mecânica (81,7 x 57,7%, p = 0,0014), uso de drogas vasoativas (62,2 x 32,6%, p < 0,0001) e enfermaria de procedência (PS: 22 x 14,5%, p = 0,02 e centro cirúrgico: 42,7 x 62,6%, p = 0,03). Quanto às comorbidades, os grupos foram diferentes quanto à presença de HAS e IRC (42,6 x 35,9%, p = 0,005 e 15,8 x 2,1%, p = 0,04, respectivamente) e semelhantes quanto à presença de diabetes e ICC (19,5 x 11%, ns e 6 x 1,1%, ns, respectivamente). A mortalidade foi superior nos pacientes que contraíram IRA (62,1 x 16,5%, p < 0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: A incidência de IRA é elevada em UTI e presente em pacientes com parâmetros clínicos e índices prognósticos de maior gravidade, o que justifica a maior mortalidade observada neles.

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.

Vírus da hepatite B: avaliação da resposta sorológica à vacina em funcionários de limpeza de hospital-escola

A hepatite viral B constitui um dos mais importantes problemas de saúde pública em todos os continentes. O vírus da hepatite B se transmite por via parenteral e, sobretudo, por via sexual. O objetivo foi avaliar a população ativa dos funcionários de limpeza do hospital da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu-UNESP, que receberam esquema completo de vacinação contra a hepatite B, medir os níveis de anticorpo contra o AgHBs (anti-HBs) e avaliar a sua relação com as condições epidemiológicas gerais, de vida pessoal e profissional e de risco de infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B.

Factors predictive of inappropriateness in requests for parenteral antimicrobials for therapeutic purposes: A study in a small teaching hospital in Brazil

Background: The identification of patterns of inappropriate antimicrobial prescriptions in hospitals contributes to the improvement of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to identify predictors of inappropriateness in requests for parenteral antimicrobials (RPAs) in a teaching hospital with 285 beds. We reviewed 25% of RPAs for therapeutic purposes from y 2005. Appropriateness was evaluated according to current guidelines for antimicrobial therapy. We assessed predictors of inappropriateness through univariate and multivariate models. RPAs classified as 'appropriate' or 'probably appropriate' were selected as controls. Case groups comprised inappropriate RPAs, either in general or for specific errors. Results: Nine hundred and sixty-three RPAs were evaluated, 34.6% of which were considered inappropriate. In the multivariate analysis, general predictors of inappropriateness were: prescription on week-ends/holidays (odds ratio (OR) 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-2.28, p = 0.002), patient in the intensive care unit (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.11-2.23, p = 0.01), peritoneal infection (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.27-3.65, p = 0.004), urinary tract infection (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.25 -2.87, p = 0.01), combination therapy with 2 or more antimicrobials (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.15-2.57, p = 0.008) and prescriptions including penicillins (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.39-3.25, p = 0.001) or 1(st) generation cephalosporins (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.01-3.00, p = 0.048). Previous consultation with an infectious diseases (ID) specialist had a protective effect against inappropriate prescription (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.24-0.50, p < 0.001). Factors independently associated with specific prescription errors varied. However, consultation with an ID specialist was protective against both unnecessary antimicrobial use (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.01-0.26, p = 0.001) and requests for agents with an insufficient antimicrobial spectrum (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03-0.30, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the importance of previous consultation with an ID specialist in assuring the quality of prescriptions. Also, they highlight prescription patterns that should be approached by ASP policies.

Hospital de Caridade São Pedro de Alcântara: assistência e saúde em Goiás ao longo do século XIX

Este artigo apresenta aspectos da trajetória do Hospital de Caridade São Pedro de Alcântara, na cidade de Goiás, ao longo do século XIX. Instituição leiga fundada no ano de 1825, o hospital nasceu da iniciativa de um grupo local influente que reconheceu um mal social: a ausência de assistência aos destituídos e enfermos. No que se referia à assistência social, ele abarcava funções e princípios caritativos cristãos, assistindo alienados, internados em cárceres, doentes e necessitados em geral, e, com a inauguração do cemitério público, sepultava gratuitamente os indigentes.

Escuta analítica no hospital geral: : implicações com o desejo do analista

Partindo da experiência na enfermaria de um hospital-escola1, do confronto com o status-quo do trabalho dos psicólogos em hospitais e da avaliação da literatura sobre a clínica psicanalítica em hospital, esta pesquisa se propôs a buscar avanços frente a uma questão específica: a escuta psicanalítica no trabalho em enfermarias de hospital geral e as implicações dessa prática com o desejo do psicanalista. Foram entrevistados quinze psicólogos declaradamente de orientação psicanalítica, vinculados a unidades de internação e com experiência mínima de dois anos de trabalho em hospital geral. As entrevistas foram abertas e semi-estruturadas, com o intuito de contemplar de maneira uniforme a coleta de informações de cunho mais objetivo, assim como de facilitar a pertinência ao tema de estudo. A interpretação dos dados foi realizada à luz do referencial clínico psicanalítico (freud-lacaniano), sendo que tal interpretação nos permitiu identificar uma importante interação entre os impasses, presentes na instituição hospitalar, da prática clínica psicanalítica com questões pessoais e de formação do profissional, interação que se vincula à postura de trabalho adotada no hospital. Reafirmamos, através desta pesquisa, a possibilidade de fazer uso de uma escuta analítica no trabalho com pacientes internados, a qual está sempre voltada para as manifestações do inconsciente ao longo da fala, e na qual a direção do tratamento é a emergência do sujeito do inconsciente.

Predictors of incorrectness in antimicrobial prescription in the Bauru State Hospital (Bauru city, São Paulo State, Brazil)

The inappropriate use of antimicrobials in hospitals presents a negative impact on patient outcome and is associated with the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have been instituted in order to improve the quality of prescriptions in hospitals. In this setting, the identification of patterns of inappropriate antimicrobial prescription is a valuable tool that allows ASPs to identify priorities for directing educative/restrictive policies. With this purpose, a study was conducted in the Bauru State Hospital, a teaching hospital with 285 beds affiliated to the Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University. The hospital maintains an active ASP since it was opened, in 2002. We selected 25% of the requests for parenteral antimicrobials (RPAs) from 2005 for analysis. Prescriptions for prophylactic purposes were excluded. All other RPAs were classified according to a modified Kunin and Jones categories. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify predictors of general inappropriateness and of specific prescription errors. Prescriptions classified as "appropriate'' or "probably appropriate" were selected as controls in all stages of the study. Among 963 RPAs included in our study, 34.6% were inappropriate. General predictors of inappropriateness were: prescription on weekends/holidays (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.20-2.28, p = 0.002), patient from intensive care unit (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.11-2.23, p = 0.01), peritoneal (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.27-3.65, p = 0.004) or urinary tract infection (OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.25-2.87, p = 0.002), combined therapy with two or more antimicrobials (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.15-2.57, p = 0.008) and prescriptions including penicillin (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.39-3.25, p = 0.001) or first-generation cephalosporins (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.01-3.00, p = 0.048). Previous consultation with an infectious diseases (ID) specialist had a protective effect against inappropriate prescription (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.24-0.50, p < 0.001). Factors independently associated with specific prescription errors varied. However, consultation with an ID specialist was protective against both unnecessary antimicrobial use (OR = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.01-0.26, p = 0.001) and requests for agents with insufficient spectrum (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.03-0.30, p = 0.01). In conclusion, the analysis of factors predictive of inappropriateness in antimicrobial prescription allowed us to identify issues requiring intervention. Also, it provided a positive feedback of the ASP efficacy, demonstrating the importance of previous consultation with an ID specialist to assure the quality of antimicrobial prescriptions.