A sociodemographic, clinical study of patients with venous ulcer

Background Venous ulcer is the most serious consequence of chronic venous insufficiency and is responsible for almost 70% of chronic leg ulcers. The main purpose of this research was to describe social, demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with venous ulcers and to identify some professional repercussions of this pathology.Subjects and methods We evaluated patients with a clinical picture compatible with venous ulcer. The sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, and the clinical characteristics and professional repercussions of the pathology were studied. We used the ankle-brachial index to identify associated arterial disease. The body mass index (BMI) was used for the classification of the nutritional condition of the patients.Results A total of 120 patients were included in the study (90 females and 30 males; 80.8% White; 44.2% > 60 years old). Ninety-one per cent of the patients had been in education for less than 4 years, and 89.7% were on the poverty line. Thirty-five per cent were retired, 2.5% were receiving government help due to disease and 4.2% were unemployed. About 16% of patients were out of work due to the disease, and 49.2% presented some degree of disability in terms of work tasks. The ulcer area was less than 30 cm(2) in 69.1% of patients. The first ulcer episode occurred in 13.4 years on average, and 64.2% of patients had recurrent episodes. Females presented on average 5.65 pregnancies, and 75.4% of patients were overweight.Conclusion Venous ulcer occurred mainly in the low-income population, who presented with little formal education. Generally, the ulcers were present for a long time and were recurrent, with repercussions for the capabilities of patients to work.

Socio-economic characteristics of the Cachoeira de Emas small-scale fishery in Mogi-Guaçu River, State of São Paulo, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estudo da distribuição dos casos de Diabetes Mellitus em Presidente Prudente - SP

The main causes of illness and consequent death in patients affected by Diabetes Mellitus are the long-term complications. Depression can make it harder to control the level of glucose in the blood, as well as intensifying and worsening the clinical complications, thus reducing the quality of life. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of Diabetes Mellitus in Public Health Clinic in Presidente Prudente (SP) in patients enrolled in the Hiper-Dia Program. From October 2003 to July 2004, a descriptive survey was carried out. Data were obtained from doctor's records of 50 diabetes patients and also their answers to a specific questionnaire. The majority of the patients were female, had not completed elementary school, with a family income below five minimum wages, a nationally-defined amount related to the poverty line. It was observed that 24% of the patients had depression and 76% never followed a controlled diet. Pharmacological treatment was prescribed for 82% of the patients. Twenty-eight patients were receiving psyicological treatment, together with oral hypoglycemic agents. The glycated hemoglobin was measured in 68%. The association between depression and submission to treatment was not significant. No statistical association was found between the psychologically assisted patient's group and glucose control (p= 0.40), diet control (p= 0.37) and physical activities (p= 0.77). It was concluded that 24% patients had depression and the majority not under diet control, but 82% were under pharmacological treatment.

Avaliação do estado nutricional de gestantes do município de Botucatu, quanto a macro e micro nutrientes em relação à renda no período de 1996-1998

Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia em Clínica Médica - FMB

Transporte ferroviário urbano: a mobilidade da população da região sudeste de Teresina e o trem urbano

Pós-graduação em Geografia - IGCE