765 resultados para P-Value
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PURPOSE: Stroke is a high-incidence cerebrovascular disease with elevated morbidity that results in impairments such as functional disabilities. This study aimed to investigate the functional evolution of individuals in the first six months post-stroke. METHOD: Longitudinal study with 42 stroke patients. The functional independence measure (FIM) and The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were used by multidisciplinary staff 3 times in each participant; the first application was at admission to rehabilitation and the others three and six months later. RESULTS: Sample predominantly female (57%), married (52%), mean age 65.26 ±10.72 years, elementary schooling level (43%), ischemic stroke (91%), and right cerebral hemisphere (74%). Motor FIM scores and NIHSS scale showed improvement in the 3 evaluations, with significant p-value (<0.001). There was a strong relation between motor FIM evolution and NIHSS evolution (r = - 0.69 p-value< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that functional evolution at 6 months post-stroke was significant and the smaller the evolution of clinical impairment in these patients, the larger the evolution of their functional independence. The study is important because it allows a more appropriate therapeutic planning according with functional evolution in stroke rehabilitation
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The transplantation of organs and tissues presents itself as an important therapeutic option, both from a medical standpoint, the social or economic. Thus, the identification of variables that can interfere in the effectiveness of organs and tissues donation for transplantation needs to be investigated adequately, because it stands before increasing index of chronic and degenerative diseases in the population, what makes the waiting list for transplantation grow disproportionately and patients come to death without the opportunity of realization the treatment due to a lack of donors. In this context, has defined as objective of this study evaluate the factors associated with the effectiveness of organs and tissues donation for transplantation. It is a evaluative research, quantitative, prospective, with longitudinal design, developed at Central of Catchment, Notification and organ donation for transplant, Organ Procurement Organization and in six accredited hospitals to collect and transplantation of organs and tissues, in Natal/RN, between august 2010 and february 2011, after the approval of the Research Ethics Committee, under No. 414/10 and CAAE 007.0.294.000-10. The probabilistic sample without replacement was composed of 65 potential donors. It was used as an instrument of data collection a structured script non-participant observation of checklist type. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables, charts, graphs and figures. For this, was used Microsoft Excel 2007 and statistical program SPSS version 20.0. To check the level of significance was chosen by applying the chi-square test (χ2) and Mann Whitney and caselas for less than five, it is considered the Fisher exact test. It was adopted as the significance level p-value <0.05. Among the surveyed it was observed that most of the individuals were male (50,8%), in the age group 45 years (53,8%), mean age of 42,3 years, minimum 5 and maximum 73 years (± 17,32 years). Single / widowers / divorced (56,9%), with up to completed elementary school (60,0%) in the exercise of professional activity (86,2%), catholic (83,1%) and residents in metropolitan region of Natal (52,3%). Was obtained donation effectiveness of 27,7%. There was no statistical significance between structure and effectiveness of the donation, but were observed inadequacies in physical resources (36,9%), materials (30,8%), organizational structure (29,2%) and human resources (18,5%). In the process, the maintenance phase (p= 0.004), diagnosis of brain death (p= 0.032), family interview (p≤ 0.001) and documentation (p= 0.001) presented statistical significance with effectiveness. Thus, it is accepts the alternative hypothesis of the study, in which is evidenced that the adequacy of the factors related to structure and process is associated to effectiveness of organs and tissues donation for transplantation. In this way, the effectiveness of organ and tissue donation ends in an essential way the rapidity and accuracy with which the donation process is conducted, requiring appropriate structure, with appropriate physical and material resources and skilled human resources to optimize the reduction of time and the suffering of those waiting for an organ or tissue transplant queued in Brazil
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Descriptive research aimed at evaluating the assistance offered to patients with venous ulcers, on lower limbs, attended by the Family Health Program (FHP) team, from the municipality of Natal/RN. The target population was composed of 74 patients with venous ulcers (VU), attended by the FHP teams in the 31 FHUs. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (protocol n.55/05). The data collection was performed in patients homes and in the FHUs, through structured interviews and physical examinations of patients with VU and non-participant observation during the changing of wound dressings in these Units and in users homes. The data was organized into an Excel electronic table and transported into the SPSS 14.0 program, for descriptive analysis on 2x2 contingency tables and inferential (Qui-Square χ2, Spearman Correlation, Binomial Proportion Test and p-value <0.05). The prevalence of VU (0.36/1000) in the target population (over 20 years of age) was greater than in the population registered in FHP (0.25/1000). We detected a greater prevalence in the age area of over 60 years (2.22/1000), with 2.98/1000 for females and 1.3/1000 for males (p-value=0.008). The sociodemographical and health characteristics of patients with VU revealed predominance of females (74.5%), elders over 60 years of age (67.6%), with fundamental education (74.3%), family earnings of up to 2 minimum wages (68.9%), retired (90.5%), ortostatic position (23.0%), inadequate sleep (59,9%), presence of CVI (100.0%), hypertension (44.6%) and diabetes (25.7%). As for the time of existence of the VU, 64.9% had over 1 year, and 35.1% less than 1 year), with predominance of one wound (67.6%). The changing of wound dressings is performed mostly at home, in and inadequate way, especially with incorrect cleaning techniques, likewise incorrect use of products and substances, and reduced participation of the FHP team on the evaluation and application of the dressing and choosing of products and substances. The compressive therapy is not part of therapeutic conducts for treatment in the FHUs. As for the evaluation of assistance to patients with VU, 90.5% were inadequate and only 9.5% adequate. The main inadequacy factors were the absence of: diagnosis (47.3%), consultation with and angiologist (63.5%), compressive treatment (100.0%), adequate optical therapy (98.62%), adequate dressing kit (70.3%), training for the changing of dressings (67.6%), following by the FHP team (51.4%) and performed exams (55.4%). We ve concluded that patients with VU mostly present now socioeconomical level and associated chronic diseases. Considering that assistance offered by FHP is non-systematic, fragmented, with no diagnosis planning, continual evaluation and evolution, we qualify the assistance as inadequate and with low level of solution, directly interfering on the maintenance of the VUs chronic state
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The therapeutic adherence is still a big problem among people with venous ulcers (VU) because the treatment is long, expensive and demand changes in lifestyle. In this context, this study aims to examine treatment adherence and quality of life (QOL) of people with VU assisted at primary health care. This is an analytical, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach to treatment and data analysis. The study had the scenario 13 Family Health Units and 02 Units Mixed of Natal. The target population consisted of 44 persons with UV indicated by the teams of the Family Health Strategy between February and April 2014. Three instruments were used: an instrument to characterize the sociodemographic, health and care aspects, the Multidimensional Scale of Adherence Therapy composed of the dimensions: healthy lifestyle, compressive therapy and neurovascular monitoring and the Charing Cross Venous Ulcer Questionnaire (CCVUQ) that evaluates QOL in persons with VU composed by the domains: Total Score, Social Interaction, Domestic Activities, Aesthetics and Emotional State. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee in Research of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, CAAE: 07556312.0.0000.5537. The data concerning the sociodemographic characteristics showed that there was a predominance of females (65.9%), age range as of 60 years (59.1%) and income of up to 1 minimum wage (81.8%). With the characterization of health, it was evident that most people reported chronic diseases (63.6%), sleep more than 6 hours (81.8%), present pain (81.8%), denying alcoholism (86 4%) and smoking (77.3%) and showed a number greater than or equal to 1 (77.3%) recurrences. Concerning the therapeutic adherence was found that in the dimension compressive therapy there poor adherence. No associations between the domains of adherence and sociodemographic and health variables were found. Was observed, however, better adherence among individuals without pain and with higher schooling. When analyzed the averages of the dimensions of therapeutic adherence with the care characteristics there was statistical significance between: adherence to compression therapy and guidance for use of compressive therapy (p = 0.002) and guidance for regular exercise (p = 0.026). Considering the mean of total score of CCVUQ (mean 51.47, SD 18.33) it is observed that the overall QOL of respondents has approximate value of the median of the scale (50). The mean of the domain Social Interaction (mean 44.23, SD 21.38) and Domestic Activities (mean 45.70, SD 23.21) were those who reported better QOL. There were weak correlations but significant between adherence to healthy lifestyle and Domains Total Score (p = 0.012), social interaction (p-value = 0.048), Aesthetics (p-value = 0.025) and Emotional State (0.017) of CCVUQ. From the data analysis it is concluded that among people with UV, there poor adherence to compressive therapy. Furthermore, we found no statistically significant association between treatment adherence and sociodemographic and health characteristics. It is added that there was a correlation between the healthy lifestyle dimension and domains CCVUQ
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Disability caused by leprosy may be associated with stigma. The aim of this work is to describe the degree of disability, quality of life and level of physical activity of individuals with leprosy and to identify possible correlations between these factors. Ninety-seven patients from two referral centres were studied. A complete medical history was taken and the World Health Organization degree of physical disability classification (WHO-DG), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short-form health Survey (SF36) were applied. The mean age of patients was 51 +/- 14.9 years old; participants were predominantly men, married, unemployed, had concluded treatment and had had lepromatous leprosy. The WHO-DG and the level of physical activity (P-value = 0.36) were not correlated. The WHO-DG showed that 72.2% of patients had disabilities, 37-1% of whom performed vigorous physical activities. No significant association was observed between the WHO-DG and the domains of the QoL SF-36 except for functional capacity (P-value = 0.02); the physical capacity is generally 'very good' when individuals have no disabilities and 'bad' with severe disabilities. In conclusion, the WHO-DG of leprosy patients does not affect the level of physical activities or quality of life except functional capacity. There is no significant association between physical activities and quality of life in these individuals.
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Background: The Pilates Method is a modality of exercise that has been growing in recent decades, but few researches has been conducted with elderly and little is known about its benefits in this population. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a program of Mat Pilates exercises in muscle performance and postural balance in elderly women. Materials and Method: This is a randomized controlled trial that evaluated the muscle performance (isokinetic dynamometer Biodex System 3 Pro®) and postural balance (Balance Master System®) of 33 women aged 65-80 years. The experimental group (EG) participated of a 12-week program of Mat Pilates exercises with two weekly sessions. Data normality was verified by the Shapiro - Wilk test and were adopted p value < 0.05 as significance level. Results: There were no differences between groups after training. However, the EG showed an increase in the values of extension and flexion average power to 60 ° / s after training (32.19 W to 37.04 W and 14.48 W to 17.56 W, respectively). Conclusion: The proposed exercise program was not effective in the total work and average power of flexor and extensor of the knee, as well as static and dynamic balance of participants
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The reduction of physiological capacity present in the process of aging causes a marked decline in lung function. The exercise does promote several positive changes in the physical health of people and protect the cardiorespiratory function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a program of Pilates exercices on the strengh and electrical activity of respiratory muscles of elderly. This is a randomized, controlled clinical trial, evaluating 33 elderly aged 65 and 80 (70.88 ± 4.32), healthy, sedentary, without cognitive impairment and able the practice physical activity. The sample was divided into two groups, one experimental group with 16 elderly women who did Pilates exercises and a control group (17) that was not submitted to the exercises, but received educational booklets on aging and health care. The elderly were evaluated initially and after a period of three months, taking into account the Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP), obtained by Manovacuometry and intensity of EMG activity was measured using the values of Root Mean Square (RMS) for the diaphragm and rectus abdominis muscles, during the course of diaphragmatic breathing and MIP maneuver. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. For all tests, we used a significance level or p value < 0.05 and confidence interval 95%. RMS in diaphragm and rectus abdominis muscles in both tests increased, but the data were significant for the rectus abdominis during diaphragmatic breathing (p = 0.03) and the diaphragm during the MIP maneuver (p = 0.01). There was no significant variation of the MIP and MEP. Pilates exercises were responsible for increasing the electrical activation of the diaphragm and rectus abdominis muscles in a group of healthy elderly, but had no influence on changes in strength of respiratory muscles
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The aging process modifies various systems in the body, leading to changes in mobility, balance and muscle strength. This can cause a drop in the elderly, or not changing the perceived self-efficacy in preventing falls. Objective: To compare the mobility, body balance and muscle performance according to self-efficacy for falls in community-dwelling elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study with 63 older (65-80 years) community. Were evaluated for identification data and sociodemographic, cognitive screening using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), effective for the fall of Falls Efficacy Scale International Brazil (FES-I-BRAZIL), Mobility through the Timed Up and Go Test , the balance Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Modified Clinical Test tests of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB), tandem walk (TW) and Sit to Stand (STS) of the Balance Master® System. Finally, muscle performance by using isokinetic dynamometry. Statistical analysis was performed Student t test for comparison between groups, with p value ≤ 0.05. Results: Comparing the elderly with low-efficacy for falls with high-efficacy for falls, we found significant differences only for the variable Timed Up and Go Test (p = 0.04). With regard to data on balance tests were significant differences in the speed of oscillation firm surface eyes open modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Test of Balance (p = 0.01). Variables to isokinetic dynamometry were no significant differences in movement knee extension, as regards the variables peak torque (p = 0.04) and power (p = 0.03). Conclusion: The results suggest that, compared to older community with low-and high-efficacy for falls, we observed differences in variables related to mobility, balance and muscle function
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Urinary incontinence (UI) is a geriatric syndrome that is especially prevalent in institutionalized individuals, and that causes economic and social impacts derived from treatment costs and overload of caregiver. UI also entails physical consequences to the health of the elderly, such as urinary tract infections or pressure ulcers, among other health problems. However, the existing national research on this condition is still scarce and comprises serious methodological biases. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence and associated factors in institutionalized elderly. A cross-sectional study is presented herein, conducted between October and December, 2013 and carried out in 10 nursing homes in the city of Natal (Northeast Brazil). UI was verified through the program Minimum Data Set version 3.0, which was also used to assess fecal incontinence, urinary devices and UI control programs. Data collection included sociodemographic information, UI characterization, as well as variables related to the institution itself and to health conditions (comorbidities, medication, pelvic floor surgery, Barthel Index for functional capacity and Pfeiffer test for cognitive status). Bivariate analysis was performed using the Chi-Square Test (or Fisher‟s Exact Test) and the Linear Chi-Square Test, calculating the prevalence ratio with 95% confidence interval. Variables with p value under 0.20 were included in the multivariate analysis, which was performed using the Stepwise Forward logistic regression. The inclusion of variables in the final model depended on the likelihood ratio test, absence of multicollinearity and on the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. A statistical significance level of 0.05 was considered. Six (1.8%) hospitalized elderly, one individual in palliative care (0.3%) and one (0.3%) individual under the age of 60 were excluded from the study. The final sample consisted of 321 elderly, mostly females, with a mean age of 81.5 years. The prevalence of UI was 59.43% and the final model revealed statistically a significant association between UI and white race, physical inactivity, stroke, mobility constraints and cognitive decline. The most frequent UI type was functional UI due to physical or cognitive disability, and incontinence control measures were applied only to a minority of residents (approximately 8%). It is concluded that UI is a health issue that affects more than half of the institutionalized elderly, and is associated with white race, physical inactivity, stroke and other geriatric syndromes such as immobility and cognitive disability. Most of these associated factors are modifiable and therefore the findings of this study highlight the importance of UI prevention and treatment in nursing homes, which include general measures, such as physical and psychosocial activities, and specific measures, such as prompted voiding
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Estudos epidemiológicos observaram que glicemias pós-prandiais (GPPs) elevadas são fator principal na ocorrência de doenças cardiovasculares. Sabe-se que a hemoglobina glicada (HbA1C) reflete a glicemia média dos últimos 2-3 meses, entretanto é controversa a contribuição relativa da glicemia de jejum (GJ) e GPP para o valor da HbA1C. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a contribuição da GJ e GPPs para o valor da HbA1C em pacientes com diabetes melito tipo 2 (DM2). MÉTODOS: Participaram 53 indivíduos com DM2, estáveis e em tratamento com antidiabéticos orais (n= 27) e/ou insulina (n= 26). Cada paciente comparecia a 3 visitas a intervalos de 2 meses. em cada visita era medida a GJ, as GPPs (2h pós-desjejum: GPD e pós-almoço: GPA) e a HbA1C, sendo fornecido o desjejum e o almoço segundo seus hábitos alimentares. Mediu-se a glicose plasmática pela glicose-oxidase e a HbA1C, pela cromatografia de troca iônica. Realizou-se a análise das associações pelo coeficiente de correlação de Spearman, com P< 0,05. RESULTADOS: A HbA1C correlacionou-se melhor em cada visita ao longo do estudo com a GPD (r: 0,660,48), a glicemia média (r: 0,640,41), a área abaixo da curva glicêmica (r : 0,640,46) e a GPP média (r: 0,590,41). CONCLUSÕES: A GPD mostrou-se um parâmetro eficaz adicional no monitoramento glicêmico dos pacientes com DM2.
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Congenital Toxoplasmosis results in severe systemic disease. If mother is infected for the first time during gestation, she can infect the fetus causing substantial damage. However, relatively little is known about the seroprevalence and epidemiological and economic factors of Toxoplasmosis infection in pregnancy in the most state in northeastern Brazil and knowledge about this can be essential in determining effective and acceptable prevention strategies. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasmosis in pregnant woman consulted by reference Maternity Escola Januário Cicco in Natal, a city in Northeastern Brazil, which belongs to the public health system, correlating to the risk factors involved in the infection and to accomplish active Search in the Hospital of Pediatrics Profº Heriberto Bezerra of the damages caused by the Toxoplasmic infection in children up to 12 years of age. The study was conducted from March to December 2007 and sera obtained from 190 pregnant women were tested for IgM and IgG antibodies avidity to Toxoplasma by Microparticle enzyme immunoassay (Abbott AxSYM system - Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA). Data were examined with univariate analysis. Chi-squared (x2) and Odds ratio was calculated (IC 95% p 0,05). Of these women, 126 (66,3%) had only IgG antibodies high-avidity against T. gondii; 01 (0,52%) had a IgM and IgG high-avidity antibodies against T. gondii and 63 (33,1%) have neither IgM nor IgG against T. gondii. Our studies shown that the direct contact with cats or dogs was highly associated with the Toxoplasma gondii infection (OR, 2.72, p<0.001, 95% CI 1.46 5.02). The years school (p<0,001), socioeconomic status and knowledge about the disease (both p value 0.05) also were associated with Toxoplasmosis. The pattern of risk factors for infection presents regional variations, however our data corroborate others studies in Brazil. In children up to 12 years, one case of Congenital Toxoplasmosis was just registered in seven years (2000 - 2006). There were several suggestive cases, with signs and characteristic symptoms, but that the infection was not confirmed due to lack in the researches through laboratorial and images exams that addressed that it zoonosis
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Objective: To develop a new submucous fibroids classification for evaluating the viability and the degree of difficulty and complexity of a hysteroscopic myomectomy.Methods: We have included more four parameters in addition to penetration the fibroid into the myometrium. The extra-parameters were: size of the fibroid, it topography, it extension of the base in relation the wall was set and the wall it was set. The fibroids were classified according to the Classification of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) and to the new classification (STEP-W) in patients who were submitted to hysteroscopic resection of submucous fibroids. The possibility of total resection of the fibroid, the operating time, the fluid deficit and the frequency of any complications were considered. The Fisher test, the Student t test and the analysis of variance test were used in the statistical analyses. It was considered statistically significant when the p-value was less than 0.05 in the two-tailed test.Results: In group which the hysteroscopic surgery was considered complete there was no significant difference between the three ESGE levels (0, 1 and 2). Using the STEP-W, the difference between the numbers of complete surgeries was significant (p < 0.001) for the two levels (groups I and II). The difference between the operating times was significant for the two classifications. In relation to the fluid deficit, only the STEP-W showed significant differences between the levels (p=0.02).Conclusions: It seems to us that the new classification (STEP-W) gives more clues to the difficulties of a hysteroscopic myornectomy than the standard classification (ESGE).
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OBJETIVO: desenvolver uma nova classificação pré-operatória dos miomas submucosos para avaliação da viabilidade e do grau de dificuldade da miomectomia histeroscópica. MÉTODOS: conduzimos um estudo onde quarenta e quatro pacientes foram submetidas a ressecção histeroscópica de 51 miomas submucosos. Foram considerados a possibilidade da ressecção total do mioma, o tempo cirúrgico, o balanço hídrico e a incidência de complicações. Os miomas foram classificados pela classificação da sociedade Européia de Cirurgia Endoscópica (CSECE) e pela Classificação Proposta (CP) pelo nosso grupo, que, além do grau de penetração do mioma no miométrio, adiciona como parâmetros a extensão da base do mioma em relação à parede do útero, o tamanho do nódulo em centímetros e a topografia na cavidade uterina. Para análise estatística foram usados o teste de Fisher, o teste t de Student e a análise de variância. Foi considerado estatisticamente significativo quando o valor de p-valor foi menor que 0,05 no teste bicaudal. RESULTADOS: em 47 miomas a cirurgia histeroscópica foi considerada completa. Não houve diferença significativa entre os três níveis (0, 1 e 2) da CSECE. Pela CP, a diferença quanto ao número de cirurgias completas foi significativa (p=0,001) entre os dois níveis (grupos I e II). A diferença da duração da cirurgia quando se compara as duas classificações foi significativa. em relação ao balanço hídrico, apenas a CP mostrou diferenças entre os níveis (p=0,02). CONCLUSÕES: a CP inclui mais dados sinalizadores das dificuldades da miomectomia histeroscópica do que a CSECE, atualmente em uso. Deve ser enfatizado que o número de miomectomias histeroscópicas usado para essa análise foi modesto, sendo interessante a avaliação do desempenho dessa classificação em séries maiores de casos.
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OBJETIVO: identificar fatores de risco para a macrossomia fetal na população de gestantes portadoras de diabete ou hiperglicemia diária. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo, tipo caso-controle, incluindo 803 pares de mães e recém-nascidos desta população específica, distribuídos em dois grupos: macrossômicos (casos, n=242) e não macrossômicos (controles, n=561). Foram comparadas variáveis relativas à idade, paridade, peso e índice de massa corporal (IMC), ganho de peso (GP), antecedentes de diabete, hipertensão arterial e tabagismo, tipo e classificação do diabete e indicadores do controle glicêmico no terceiro trimestre. As médias foram avaliadas pelo teste F e as variáveis categorizadas foram submetidas à análise univariada, utilizando-se o teste do chi². Os resultados significativos foram incluídos no modelo de regressão múltipla, para identificação do risco independente de macrossomia, considerando-se OR, IC 95% e valor de p. Para todas as análises foi estabelecido o limite de significância estatística de 5% (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: observou-se associação significativa entre macrossomia e GP maior que 16 kg, IMC >25 kg/m², antecedentes pessoais, obstétricos e, especificamente, o de macrossomia, classificação nos grupos de Rudge (IB e IIA + IIB), média glicêmica (MG) >120 mg/dL e média de glicemia pós-prandial >130 mg/dL no terceiro trimestre. Na análise de regressão múltipla, o GP >16 kg (OR=1,79; IC 95%: 1,23-1,60), o IMC >25 kg/m² (OR=1,83; IC 95%: 1,27-2,64), o antecedente pessoal de diabete (OR=1,56; IC 95%: 1,05-2,31) e de macrossomia (OR=2,37; IC 95%: 1,60-3,50) e a MG >120 mg/dL no terceiro trimestre (OR=1,78; IC 95%: 1,13-2,80) confirmaram risco independente para macrossomia nestas gestações de risco. CONCLUSÃO: o GP superior a 16 kg, o IMC maior ou igual a 25 kg/m², a MG superior a 120 mg/dL no terceiro trimestre e a presença de antecedentes pessoais de diabete ou de macrossomia foram identificados como fatores de risco para macrossomia fetal em gestantes portadoras de diabete ou de hiperglicemia diária.
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OBJETIVO: analisar os valores da pressão arterial e da freqüência cardíaca durante o trabalho de parto e puerpério imediato de primigestas normais. MÉTODOS: foram incluídas no estudo 60 parturientes, às quais foi aplicada a monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial (MAPA) com uso do aparelho modelo SpaceLabs 90207, durante o trabalho de parto e nas primeiras 12 horas após o mesmo. A pressão arterial e a freqüência cardíaca foram registradas a cada 15 minutos durante o trabalho de parto e na primeira hora após o parto, e a cada 30 minutos até a 12ª hora após o parto. Esses parâmetros foram avaliados em três momentos do trabalho de parto (com dilatação cervical até 7 cm, entre 8 cm e dilatação total e durante o período expulsivo) e em dois momentos do puerpério (na primeira e décima segunda hora). Primeiramente os resultados foram analisados sem levar em consideração o tipo de procedimento anestésico, e depois, dividindo-os em grupos conforme o tipo de procedimento realizado: anestesia local, analgesia peridural lombar e anestesia subaracnóidea. Para comparação dentro de cada grupo foram realizados análise de variância (ANOVA) e teste t de Student pareado e, entre os grupos, o teste t não-pareado. Foi considerado o limite de significância estatística de 5%. RESULTADOS: quando os resultados foram avaliados sem levar em consideração o procedimento anestésico, os valores médios da pressão arterial sistólica, registrados durante o trabalho de parto, foram significativamente mais elevados que no puerpério. Durante o trabalho de parto esses valores foram significativamente mais elevados nos períodos de dilatação final e expulsivo que no período de dilatação inicial e, na 12ª hora, inferiores ao da primeira hora após o parto. Os valores médios da pressão arterial diastólica registrados durante o trabalho de parto foram significativamente mais altos que no puerpério. Estes valores não apresentaram alteração durante os diferentes períodos do trabalho de parto ou durante as primeiras doze horas do puerpério. A freqüência cardíaca aumentou progressivamente durante o trabalho de parto, diminuindo nas primeiras 12 horas após o parto. Quando a pressão arterial e a freqüência cardíaca foram avaliadas conforme o tipo de procedimento anestésico empregado, ambas mostraram-se com mesmo comportamento na anestesia local e peridural, embora naquelas submetidas à anestesia subaracnóidea, tanto a pressão arterial sistólica como a diastólica não apresentaram alteração durante o trabalho de parto. CONCLUSÕES: o trabalho de parto determinou aumento da pressão arterial sistólica e da freqüência cardíaca. Durante o trabalho de parto os valores das pressões arteriais sistólica e diastólica foram mais altos que nas primeiras 12 horas do puerpério, havendo queda significativa entre a primeira e a décima segunda hora do mesmo. Diferentes procedimentos anestésicos não interferiram nos valores das pressões arteriais sistólica e diastólica ou da freqüência cardíaca, durante o trabalho de parto e nas primeiras doze horas após o parto.