Hormone replacement therapy and the risk of breast cancer: assessment of therapy acceptance in a cohort of previously treated breast cancer patients

INTRODUCTION: In the postmenopausal period, an average of 25% of women will present symptomatic ovarian failure requiring hormonal replacement therapy. Estrogen can relieve vasomotor symptoms. Hormonal replacement therapy is generally not recommended for breast cancer patients due to the potential risk of tumor recurrence. To answer the questions about the safety of hormonal replacement therapy in this subgroup of women, it is necessary to establish the acceptance of treatment. METHODS: Between September 1998 and February 2001, a cohort of 216 breast cancer patients were asked to complete a questionnaire. All patients had completed their treatment and were informed about survival rates after breast cancer and hormonal replacement therapy. RESULTS: Among the 216 patients, 134 (62%) would refuse hormonal replacement therapy. A hundred patients were afraid of relapse (74.6%). Adjuvant tamoxifen therapy was the only statistically significant variable (70.3% versus 29.7% p=0.003). Understanding clinical stage (p= 0.045) and type of medical assistance (private versus public , p=0.033) also seemed to influence the decision. Early stage disease (p= 0.22), type of surgical procedure (radical versus conservative, p=0.67), adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.082) or marital status (p=0.98 ) were not statistically significant in decision making. Several patients submitted to adjuvant chemotherapy (41.6%) would accept hormonal replacement therapy under medical supervision, as did most of advanced clinical stage patients (58.3%; p=0.022). CONCLUSION: There is a high level of rejection for hormonal replacement therapy among breast cancer patients when current data on tumor cure rates, and potential risks of estrogen use is available. Adverse effects of tamoxifen in the adjuvant setting may be the reason for refusal of hormonal replacement therapy .

Conflitos conjugais e familiares e presença de transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) na prole: revisão sistemática

O transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) é um dos transtornos neurobiológicos com maior prevalência na infância e pode implicar dificuldades no funcionamento conjugal dos pais das crianças afetadas, bem como sofrer influência do mesmo. OBJETIVO: Realizar uma revisão sistemática acerca dos aspectos conjugais em famílias de crianças com TDAH, relacionando-os com outras variáveis, como a presença de comorbidades, aspectos socioeconômicos e saúde mental dos pais. MÉTODOS: Revisão sistemática de literatura por meio do PubMed entre os anos de 1996 e 2006, utilizando os termos "ADD", "ADHD", "Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder", "Attention-Deficit", "marital conflict" e "family". RESULTADOS: Dezesseis estudos dentre 628 publicações iniciais e 55 artigos posteriormente incluídos pelas referências bibliográficas foram avaliados. O relacionamento conjugal aparece comprometido em grande parte da literatura, principalmente nos pais daquelas crianças que apresentam distúrbio desafiador e de oposição (DDO) ou distúrbio de conduta comórbidos. Contudo, resultados opostos também são encontrados em diversas pesquisas. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados de pesquisas referentes ao funcionamento conjugal de pais destas crianças são heterogêneos. É preciso que sejam feitos estudos longitudinais, que possam esclarecer o impacto do transtorno nos conflitos conjugais de pais de portadores, bem como a influência destes últimos na expressão clínica do transtorno.

Prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness in Brazilian community-dwelling older adults with very low levels of schooling, and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle: the Bambuí Health and Ageing Study (BHAS)

OBJECTIVE: Population-based studies on excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in older adults living in less developed countries are scarce. The purpose of this paper was to estimate the prevalence of EDS and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle factors in Brazilian community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: The study was carried out in Bambuí, a city in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. EDS was defined as the presence of sleepiness in the last month occurring three or more times per week, with any interference in usual activities. The exploratory variables were: gender, age, skin color, marital status, schooling level, current employment status, religion, recent migration, smoking, binge drinking and physical activities during leisure time. RESULTS: Of 1,742 residents aged > 60 years, 1,514 (86.9%) participated. The prevalence of EDS was 13%. After adjustment for confounders, female gender and low schooling level remained positively and independently associated with EDS. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of EDS in the study population was within the range observed in studies carried out in developed countries. The most impressive finding was the association of EDS with schooling, indicating that even in a population with low levels of schooling, this was an important factor to explain the distribution of EDS.

Self-evaluated burden in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a pilot study

OBJECTIVES: To investigate feasibility and easiness of administration of a brief and simple instrument addressing impairment associated with adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and if ADHD subtypes were correlated to specific profiles of self-reported impairment. METHODS: Thirty-five adults (19 men and 16 women; mean age of 31.74 years) diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-IV with a semi-structured interview (K-SADS PL) were asked to fill out a Likert scale covering six different functional areas (academic, professional, marital, familiar, social and daily activities). Clinicians questioned patients about their understanding of the questionnaire and investigated their answers in more details to check consistency of their answers. RESULTS: No patient reported difficulties in understanding the questionnaire. Further questioning of patients' answers confirmed their choices in the six areas. Academic burden had the highest average score in the whole sample, followed by professional burden. Social area had the lowest average score in this sample.

Prevalence of mental disorders among sexual offenders and non-sexual offenders

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of mental disorders in convicted sex offenders admitted to the Psychiatric Custody and Treatment Hospital (Forensic Psychiatric Facility). METHOD: 89 patient records of males admitted from March 2005 to August 2006 were analyzed. The analysis included evaluation of two study groups: Group I comprised subjects who had committed sex offenses (sexual offenders) while Group II contained subjects convicted for other crimes (non-sexual offenders). Variables studied were: age bracket, years of schooling, marital status, skin color, place of birth, previous psychiatric admissions and psychiatric diagnosis. RESULTS: Mental retardation and personality disorders were the mainly diagnoses in Group I (sexual offenders) (61,76% and 29,41% respectively). In the other hand, schizophrenic subjects predominated in Group II (non-sexual offenders) (82,93%). CONCLUSION: Different from international data, we have found low prevalence of personality disorders among Brazilian forensic population and we believe that it's due to a distinguishing characteristic of the Brazilian legal system, which does not consider personality disorder a mental disease, thus, not prompting these patients to civil commitment.

Quality of life assessment of patients with schizophrenic spectrum disorders from Psychosocial Care Centers

OBJECTIVE: Assessing the quality of life and the clinical and social-demographic factors associated in schizophrenic spectrum patients (ICD-10 F20-F29) attending CAPS at the programmatic area 3.0. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of schizophrenic spectrum patients who have been enrolled in 2008 in CAPS in programmatic area (AP) 3 at Rio de Janeiro city, using MINIPLUS to assess schizophrenia spectrum disorder and use of psychoactive substances, Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS) to assess psychiatric symptoms and Quality of Life Scale (QLS-BR) to assess the quality of life. RESULTS: Seventy nine patients were included, of whom 74 (93.7%) presented some impairment in quality of life. The most frequently affected area was occupational performance. Variables that showed a significant association with severe impairment of quality of life were: marital status, race, occupation, who patients lived with, homelessness, having children, previous psychiatric hospitalization, negative symptoms and symptoms designated as not applicable (being characterized by a lack of typical positive and negative symptoms). CONCLUSION: The knowledge of these factors should be crucial to implement health policies and psychosocial rehabilitation programs focused on improving the quality of life of these patients.

Indicadores de risco para tentativa de suicídio por envenenamento: um estudo caso-controle

RESUMO Objetivo Considerando o envenenamento como o método mais utilizado para a tentativa de suicídio e a escassez de evidências nacionais sobre o tema, investigamos alguns possíveis indicadores de risco nesse tipo de tentativa. Métodos Estudo do tipo caso-controle em uma emergência geral de um hospital público, na cidade do Recife com 220 indivíduos, distribuídos em dois grupos de 110 pacientes cada, que estavam em tratamento, sendo o grupo casos os sobreviventes de tentativa de suicídio por envenenamento e os controles, sem história de intoxicação/envenenamento nem tentativa de suicídio, pareados por gênero e idade. Resultados O gênero feminino predominou na amostra (70,9%), com idade média de 29 anos; 73% declararam etnia branca ou morena; menos da metade vivia em convívio marital; a maioria tinha religião; ambos tinham poucos anos de estudo. Houve diferença significativa (p = 0,003) para dependência financeira entre os grupos, com chance 2,25 vezes maior para tentar suicídio entre os casos. Ter sofrido fatos traumáticos e abuso sexual na infância revelou diferença significativa. Conclusões Foram considerados indicadores de risco no grupo caso: estar em dependência financeira de terceiros, ter sofrido abuso sexual na infância, ideação suicida, histórico de transtorno mental na família, possuir algum transtorno mental e, principalmente, comorbidade(s) psiquiátrica(s). No modelo de regressão, foi possível estimar uma chance de tentativa de suicídio por envenenamento de até 94,0% na presença conjunta de quatro fatores. A pesquisa representa uma das primeiras iniciativas para ampliação das discussões sobre os fatores de risco para tentativa de suicídio em âmbito nacional.

Benzodiazepine use and associated factors in elderly in the city of Dourados, MS, Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective The use of benzodiazepines (BZD) and associated factors in the elderly of Dourados, MS, Brazil was investigated. Methods This is a cross-sectional population-based study using a multistage sampling design. Participants were 1,022 individuals aged ≥ 60 years. Measurements socioeconomic status, schooling, demographic aspects, marital status, physical activity, hospitalizations, self-rated health, use of alcohol beverages and smoking were assessed by standard questionnaire. The drugs used were obtained by checking the prescription or package and classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Index. Chi-square test, Chi-square for linear tendency, Fisher's exact test and Poisson regression were used to assess association between variables. Results The prevalence of use of BZD was 6.5% (CI95%: 5.1-8.2%). The oldest group (PR: 1.60 for 70-79 years and PR: 1.79 for ≥ 80 years), non-use of alcohol (PR: 4.14) and use of antidepressants (PR: 8.73) were the statistically associated characteristics. Conclusions The prevalence of use of BZD in the study population was low, similar to findings of more recent Brazilian studies and lower than those obtained in international studies. The prevalence of use of BZD increased with aging and use of antidepressants.

Risk factors for suicide in multiple sclerosis: a case-control study

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluated the prevalence and the suicide risk in a Brazilian sample of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to identify potential factors associated with the risk of suicide. A study was performed with outpatient with MS. The risk of suicide and the presence of psychiatric disorders were assessed by version 5.0 of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The sample of patients at risk for suicide was matched by sex and age to a control group of patients with MS. Results Eight point three percent of the patients had a past history of attempted suicide, and 8.3% had a current suicide risk, totaling 16.6%. The results of this study suggest that the risk factors associated with suicide in this population are depression, marital status single, widowed or divorced, and lower education level.

Risk factors associated with human papillomavirus infection in two populations from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

We investigated human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in two female populations from diverse socio-economic strata from the state of Rio de Janeiro and we also investigated the possible co-factors related to infection and the progression to cancer. In Group I, the reference group of this study, 10.7% of the patients presented HPV infection, as detected by generic PCR, while in Group II (low socio-demographic conditions) HPV was detected in 31.1% of the samples. HPV16 was the most prevalent virus type found in both Groups I and II (5.3% and 10%, respectively), followed by HPV 18 (1.3% and 4.7%, respectively). Although only a small sample was analysed, we detected differences among the groups regarding the rates of HPV infection, HPV types, age, ethnicity, familial income, schooling, marital status, parity, tobacco smoking and oral contraceptive use. For Group I, the Papanicolaou test was the most powerful independent factor associated with HPV status, followed by an age of under 30 years old, the number of sexual partners and black ethnicity. Our data are in agreement with the co-factors that are typically described for the developed world. For Group II, the Pap test was also the most relevant variable that was analysed, but the history of other sexually transmitted diseases and the use of alcohol were additional factors that were implicated in infection. These findings point out the need for the development of general and specific strategies for HPV screening of all Brazilian women.

The dual career process in the Brazilian perspective: Unraveling typologies

ABSTRACT A phenomenon closely linked to changes in social, economic, and cultural context is growing and growing as the years go by and attracting the attention of researchers for the development of studies involving both the individual and the organizational field. Named as "dual career family", this phenomenon emphasizes a joint move from a husband and wife (a couple) in the family sphere and in the development of both careers. Thus, in order to know how these relationships are being established, this study set out to investigate what are the determining factors that compose the dual career phenomenon in the Brazilian context. The research involved 340 participants, all former students of a public university, married or living in a marital status. The results allowed to feature, through descriptive statistics, the profile of dual career couples in the Brazilian scene and check what are the types of dual career in the country. We obtained five types of dual career: coordinated familistic, conventional familistic, coordinated careerist, conventional careerist and acrobat.

Desconfortos físicos decorrentes dos tratamentos do câncer de mama influenciam a sexualidade da mulher mastectomizada?

Este trabalho é uma revisão integrativa, que objetiva analisar a produção científica dedicada à sexualidade da mulher com câncer de mama após a mastectomia, com foco na interferência dos desconfortos físicos decorrentes dos tratamentos sobre sua vida sexual. O estudo abrangeu trabalhos publicados no período de 2000 a 2009, utilizando as bases MEDLINE, LILACS e PsycINFO, por meio dos descritores mastectomy, breast neoplasms, sexuality, sexual behavior, amputation, psychossexual development, marital relations. Foram selecionados nove artigos, que abordavam as repercussões dos desconfortos físicos provenientes dos tratamentos oncológicos na vivência da sexualidade. Os achados evidenciaram que, mesmo quando existe intensa e satisfatória vida sexual no período prévio à doença, fatores como estresse, dor, fadiga, insulto à imagem corporal e baixa autoestima, decorrentes dos tratamentos, podem desorganizar o funcionamento sexual da mulher acometida. É necessário sensibilizar os profissionais para acolherem o tema em políticas e estratégias preventivas, diagnósticas e terapêuticas.

Map of homicides by firearms: profile of the victims and the assaults

AbstractOBJECTIVEDescribing the profile of victims and assaults by gunshot, where the outcome was death.METHODAn ecological study conducted in the city of Maceió/AL, in 2012. Data were collected from the death statements. The variables studied were: the death circumstances, gender, age, marital status, place, date, time, month and proportion according to the occurring neighborhood.RESULTSThe homicide mortality rate was 65.2 per 100,000 inhabitants, with 130.6 per 100,000 men and 7.8 per 100,000 women. Of the total number of homicides, 93.6% of the victims were men. The age group between 15 and 29 years of age was the most affected, with 68.8%. In 97.6% of cases the death occurred at the site of aggression, 74.1% in the streets. In relation to the date, 54.2% of cases occurred between Friday and Sunday. 59.7% of the homicides were concentrated in seven neighborhoods.CONCLUSIONThe map of violence presented shows heterogeneous areas for the occurrence of assaults with firearms, characterizing the existing urban inequality in violence distribution.

Night admission is an independent risk factor for mortality in trauma patients - a systemic error approach

ABSTRACTObjective:to assess the impact of the shift inlet trauma patients, who underwent surgery, in-hospital mortality.Methods:a retrospective observational cohort study from November 2011 to March 2012, with data collected through electronic medical records. The following variables were statistically analyzed: age, gender, city of origin, marital status, admission to the risk classification (based on the Manchester Protocol), degree of contamination, time / admission round, admission day and hospital outcome.Results:during the study period, 563 patients injured victims underwent surgery, with a mean age of 35.5 years (± 20.7), 422 (75%) were male, with 276 (49.9%) received in the night shift and 205 (36.4%) on weekends. Patients admitted at night and on weekends had higher mortality [19 (6.9%) vs. 6 (2.2%), p=0.014, and 11 (5.4%) vs. 14 (3.9%), p=0.014, respectively]. In the multivariate analysis, independent predictors of mortality were the night admission (OR 3.15), the red risk classification (OR 4.87), and age (OR 1.17).Conclusion:the admission of night shift and weekend patients was associated with more severe and presented higher mortality rate. Admission to the night shift was an independent factor of surgical mortality in trauma patients, along with the red risk classification and age.

Epidemiologia do abortamento na adolescência

Objetivo: avaliar o perfil sócio-demográfico e obstétrico das adolescentes internadas por abortamento, comparativamente ao das mulheres adultas internadas pela mesma causa. Material e métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo que avaliou 230 mulheres com complicações por abortamento, das quais 59 eram adolescentes, internadas na Maternidade do IMIP (Instituto Materno-Infantil de Pernambuco) no período de agosto de 1994 a julho de 1995. As variáveis estudadas foram: grau de escolaridade, situação marital, atividade remunerada, idade gestacional, número de gestações, desejo de gravidez, uso de MAC, tipo de relacionamento, motivo da interrupção voluntária, classificação clínica do abortamento e complicações associadas. Para a análise dos dados, procedeu-se à distribuição das variáveis entre adolescentes e adultas, utilizando-se os testes estatísticos do chi² e chi² para tendência. Resultados: comparativamente à mulheres adultas que abortaram, as adolescentes apresentaram uma menor proporção de atividade remunerada e de multiparidade e uma maior proporção de gestações resultantes de um relacionamento não-estável. Conclusões: os resultados deste estudo permitem concluir que biologicamente as adolescentes que são internadas por abortamento têm um perfil semelhante ao das mulheres adultas. O que as diferenciam destas são as condições sociais e demográficas desfavoráveis que enfrentam em suas primeiras gestações, geralmente não planejadas.