Use of the mini-mental state examination in research on the elderly in Brazil: a systematic review

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most widely used cognitive screening test around the world. In Brazil, different MMSE versions and many cut-off points have been used. A systematic review of papers indexed in Scielo was conducted in order to analyze use of the MMSE in Brazilian empirical studies with elderly people. To search for these texts, the complete name of the instrument and its abbreviation were used. A growth trend in the scientific production during the 1998 to 2013 period was observed. Eleven versions of the MMSE were identified and the Bertolucci et al. version was the most cited. Over half of the studies used schooling as the criteria to establish cut-off points. The studies were predominantly conducted using samples recruited from large cities in the Southeastern region and in the community. Despite the growing trend of research with the elderly using the MMSE, the psychometric properties of this scale of measurement have been the subject of little investigation. Despite the widespread use of the MMSE in Brazil, there is a lack of standardization and evidence of validity for this this scale of measurement.O Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) é o teste de rastreio cognitivo mais utilizado no mundo. No Brasil, diferentes versões e pontos de corte do MEEM têm sido usados. Para analisar seu uso em estudos empíricos brasileiros com idosos, efetuou-se uma revisão sistemática de artigos indexados na SciELO. Foram utilizados o nome completo do instrumento e sua abreviação para recuperar os textos. Observou-se uma tendência de crescimento da produção científica analisada, no período de 1998 a 2013. Foram mencionadas 11 versões do MEEM, destacando-se a de Bertolucci et al. Mais da metade das investigações fizeram uso da escolaridade como critério para estabelecer pontos de corte. Os estudos têm sido realizados predominantemente com amostras recrutadas em grandes cidades da região Sudeste e na comunidade. Não obstante a tendência de crescimento de pesquisas com idosos que utilizam o MEEM, as propriedades psicométricas dessa medida têm sido pouco investigadas. Apesar da ampla utilização do MEEM no Brasil, faltam padronização e evidências de validade para essa medida

Medical education at the University of São Paulo Medical School

Medical education at the University of São Paulo Medical Schoo

Patients' Expectations Before and Evaluation After Dental Implant Therapy

Background: Patients' expectations may influence their satisfaction with implant treatment, but there is a paucity of reports comparing patient expectations and their posttreatment satisfaction. Purpose: The aim was to compare patients' expectations before with their satisfaction regarding function and esthetics after dental implant therapy. Materials and Methods: Fifty volunteers (49 years +/- 11.45) answered a questionnaire about influencing variables and underwent an initial examination followed by implant therapy. Their expectations regarding esthetics and function were verified on a visual analogue scale (VAS) before treatment. The VAS was also used for posttreatment completion rating. Results: The average ratings for esthetic and functional expectations were 5.0 +/- 2.6 and 5.0 +/- 3.0; the posttreatment completion ratings were 9.1 +/- 1.1 and 9.0 +/- 1.7, respectively. The posttreatment completion ratings significantly exceeded expectations (p < .001, Wilcoxon test). Positive correlations were found between expectations and posttreatment completion ratings for esthetics (Spearman's rho = 0.496, p < .001) and function (Spearman's rho = 0.706, p < .001). An inverse correlation was found between age and functional expectations (Spearman's rho = -0.313, p = .027). Conclusions: Patients' posttreatment completion ratings significantly exceeded their initial expectations. Expectations and posttreatment completion ratings were irrespective of smoking habits, location in the jaw, sex, or educational level.132141145CNPJ [06370641/0001-14]CNPJ [06370641/0001-14

Aumento da transparência pulmonar na infância: ensaio iconográfico Increased radiolucency of the lungs in infancy: iconographic essay

Assimetrias torácicas representadas pelo aumento da transparência pulmonar são causas importantes de morbidade na população pediátrica. A avaliação dos pacientes afetados freqüentemente requer múltiplas modalidades de imagem para diagnosticar a anomalia e planejar a correção cirúrgica. Os autores analisam e ilustram os aspectos de assimetrias torácicas comuns e raras, com ênfase nas manifestações radiológicas. A aplicabilidade das diversas modalidades de imagem no diagnóstico e tratamento é avaliada. Diagnósticos diferenciais, assim como armadilhas e dificuldades diagnósticas, são incluídas.<br>Thoracic asymmetries characterized by increased radiolucency of the lungs are important causes of morbidity in infants and children. Evaluation of affected patients frequently requires multiple imaging methods to diagnose the abnormality and to plan the surgical correction. The authors review and illustrate the characteristics of both common and rare thoracic asymmetries with emphasis on the radiological findings. The usefulness of different imaging methods in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions is evaluated. The differential diagnosis as well the pitfalls and diagnostic difficulties are also discussed