COVID-19-related absence among surgeons: development of an international surgical workforce prediction model

Background: During the initial COVID-19 outbreak up to 28.4 million elective operations were cancelled worldwide, in part owing to concerns that it would be unsustainable to maintain elective surgery capacity because of COVID-19-related surgeon absence. Although many hospitals are now recovering, surgical teams need strategies to prepare for future outbreaks. This study aimed to develop a framework to predict elective surgery capacity during future COVID-19 outbreaks. Methods: An international cross-sectional study determined real-world COVID-19-related absence rates among surgeons. COVID-19-related absences included sickness, self-isolation, shielding, and caring for family. To estimate elective surgical capacity during future outbreaks, an expert elicitation study was undertaken with senior surgeons to determine the minimum surgical staff required to provide surgical services while maintaining a range of elective surgery volumes (0, 25, 50 or 75 per cent). Results Based on data from 364 hospitals across 65 countries, the COVID-19-related absence rate during the initial 6 weeks of the outbreak ranged from 20.5 to 24.7 per cent (mean average fortnightly). In weeks 7–12, this decreased to 9.2–13.8 per cent. At all times during the COVID-19 outbreak there was predicted to be sufficient surgical staff available to maintain at least 75 per cent of regular elective surgical volume. Overall, there was predicted capacity for surgeon redeployment to support the wider hospital response to COVID-19. Conclusion: This framework will inform elective surgical service planning during future COVID-19 outbreaks. In most settings, surgeon absence is unlikely to be the factor limiting elective surgery capacity

Aspectos eletromiográficos preditores da evolução motora de pacientes com neuroesquistossomose Electromyografic patterns predictive of motor evolution in neuroschistosomiasis

A neuroesquistossomose na forma mielorradicular é freqüentemente observada nos pacientes que residem no Nordeste do Brasil. Apesar disso, a evolução dos seus distúrbios neurológicos e padrões eletromiográficos são pouco estudados nesse grupo de pacientes. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever e comparar a evolução motora com as anormalidades eletromiográficas de pacientes com neuroesquistossomose. Foram realizadas eletromiografias dos membros inferiores em 21 pacientes com diagnóstico presuntivo de radiculomielite esquistossomótica. O padrão eletromiográfico de 95,2% dos casos foi de multirradiculopatia axonal lombo-sacra, havendo extensão variável de desnervação, com predomínio de L2 a S2. Foram identificados graus variáveis de paraparesia, havendo evolução motora mais favorável nos pacientes com envolvimento de menor número de raízes. A eletromiografia poderá fornecer dados prognósticos da evolução motora dos pacientes com radiculomielite esquistossomótica.<br>Neuroschistosomiasis in myeloradicular pattern is frequently observed in patients from Northeast of Brazil. Despite of this, the evolution of neurologic and electromyografic patterns is not well studied in this group of patients. The aims of this study were to describe and compare the clinic and electromyografic abnormalities of patients with neuroschistosomiasis and radicular involvement. We analyzed 21 electromyographic exams of the lower limbs carried out in the initial presentation of the disease. Electromyographic pattern of 95.2% of patients was compatible to axonal lombosacral multirradiculopathy, with variable denervation extension, but predominanthy from levels L2 to S2. There was variable degree of deficit in the lower limbs, and the follow-up of motor disturbances was better more frequently when the roots were involved in smaller number. Electromyography should permit to know the motor prognosis of patients with myeloradiculitis due schistosomiasis

Importância do raio X e exame físico no diagnóstico da artrite psoriática e sua prevalência no Hospital Universitário Evangélico de Curitiba (HUEC) The importance of radiologic evaluation and physical examination in diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis and its prevalance in the Hospital Universitário Evangélico de Curitiba

FUNDAMENTOS: A artrite psoriática (AP) é doença inflamatória associada com a psoríase da pele ou das unhas, com fator reumatóide (FR) negativo e ausência de nódulos reumatóides. Pode ser extremamente agressiva, deixando o paciente incapacitado para realizar funções do dia-a-dia. A prevalência populacional é muito variável; historicamente oscila entre 2,6% e 7%, mas estudos recentes demonstram porcentagem variável de 23 a 69% na população com psoríase. O diagnóstico é de exclusão e, se realizado na fase inicial, oferece possibilidade de tratamento mais adequado, evitando complicações. O que define a presença da artrite é o exame físico adequado das articulações, já que o raio X pode estar normal. OBJETIVO: Este estudo tem a finalidade de avaliar a importância do raio X e do exame físico no diagnóstico da AP e sua prevalência nos pacientes com psoríase cutânea e ungueal do Hospital Universitário Evangélico de Curitiba. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Trinta pacientes com psoríase em acompanhamento nesse serviço foram submetidos a anamnese e exame físico minuciosos. Eles foram questionados quanto a alterações articulares, tempo e severidade de doença e comprometimento ungueal. Os que apresentavam queixas articulares foram encaminhados para investigação por exames complementares: hemograma, FR, VHS, e raio X da articulação comprometida. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos pacientes (56,5%) referiu atralgia; contudo apenas três apresentavam artrite. Dos indivíduos com AP, um mostrou raio X normal, mas o exame físico estava alterado. CONCLUSÃO: O exame físico é fundamental para diagnóstico da AP; o raio X não. A prevalência de AP foi de 10%.<br>BACKGROUND: Psoriatic arthritis (PA) is an inflammatory disorder associated with skin and nail disease, negative rheumatoid factor (RF) and absence of rheumatoid nodules. It can be a devastating and incapacitating condition. Its prevalence is highly variable, ranging from 2,6 to 7%; however, recent data shows prevalence as high as 23 to 69%. Its diagnosis is one of exclusion, and when detected early in the course of the disease gives chance to adequate treatment, thus avoiding its sequelae. The diagnosis is made by physical examination, laboratory and radiological evaluation. A normal radiological finding does not exclude the disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the importance of a detailed physical examination associated with radiological findings in the diagnosis of PA and its prevalence in our institution. METHODS: Thirty patients with skin psoriasis were submitted to a thorough physical examination and radiological evaluation. All patients were inquired about articular complaints, time and severity of skin and nail disease. Those that presented any articular symptom were submitted to a laboratory evaluation with: Complete Blood Count (CBC), RF, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and radiography of the involved joint. RESULTS: The majority of patients (56,5%) presented arthralgia; however, only three patients had arthritis. Of those 3 that had PA, one presented a normal radiography but with an altered physical examination. CONCLUSION: The physical examination is an extremely important tool in the evaluation of patients with psoriasis. The radiological evaluation is not as important as the physical examination. The prevalence of PA was 10%