The effectiveness of current informative material in improving awareness and opinion of undergraduate students towards organ donation: a comparative, randomized survey study

OBJECTIVES: Despite the contribution of awareness campaigns to the rise of organ donation rates in Brazil, younger folks are subject to few awareness actions. Records on the effect of informative campaigns at improving opinion and knowledge of undergraduates about organ donation are scarce. This study aimed to assess the effect of informative material about organ donation on changes in the trend of answers to a questionnaire compared to the answers of a control group. METHODS: Two randomized groups were compared, receiving the same standardized questionnaire. One group was supplied informative material on the subject, while the other was not. The questionnaire was sent to undergraduate students from two Brazilian universities. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test, Chi-square test and multinomial regression tests. Adopted significance was 5%. RESULTS: There were 739 responses to the questionnaire. Mean age was 22 years, with a majority of women. Six of 14 questions displayed a change in the answer pattern of the experimental group compared to controls (po0.05). Opinion on organ donation had changes in 2 of 7 analyzed questions (po0.05). Knowledge on the subject had a shift in answer patterns in 4 of 7 questions. Regression demonstrated 3 items that were not influenced by respondents’ age. CONCLUSION: There is controversy regarding the benefit of exposure to informative material. Negative changes were noted in the trust in transplantation as a safe treatment. Positive results regarding technical knowledge were obtained. Better results may be obtained by designing informative material tailored towards the student’s specific concerns

Bioimpedance: new approach to non-invasive detection of liver fibrosis - a pilot study

sem informaçãoFibrosis are common structural hepatic change in patients with chronic hepatitis. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for determining the extent of liver fibrosis. Considering the technical difficulties and cost, improvements in non-invasive screening tools55116sem informaçãosem informaçãosem informaçã

Qualidade de vida e sintomas da menopausa em mulheres transplantadas hepáticas

PURPOSE: To assess quality of life and climacteric symptoms in women with and without liver transplants. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 52 women undergoing follow-up at a university hospital in southeastern Brazil from February 4th, 2009 to January 5th, 2011. Twenty-four of these women were 35 years old or older and had undergone liver transplantation at least one year before study entry. The remaining 28 women had no liver disease and were matched by age and menstrual patterns to the patients with transplants. The abbreviated version of the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. Menopausal symptoms were assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Statistical analysis was carried out by Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney test and analysis of variance. Correlations between MRS and the WHOQOL-BREF were established by correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The mean age of the women included in the study was 52.2 (±10.4) years and the mean time since transplantation was 6.1 (±3.3) years. Women with liver transplants had better quality of life scores in the environment domain (p=0.01). No difference was noted between the two groups in any domain of the MRS. For women in the comparison group, there was a strongly negative correlation between somatic symptoms in the MRS and the physical domain of the WHOQOL-BREF (p<0.01; r=-0.8). In contrast, there was only a moderate association for women with liver transplants (p<0.01; r=-0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Women with liver transplants had better quality of life scores in the domain related to environment and did not exhibit more intense climacteric symptoms than did those with no liver disease. Climacteric symptoms negatively influenced quality of life in liver transplant recipients, although less intensely than in women without a history of liver disease.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida e os sintomas do climatério em mulheres com e sem transplante de fígado. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal com 52 mulheres em acompanhamento ambulatorial em um hospital universitário na região sudeste do Brasil no período de 04/02/09 a 05/01/11. Dessas mulheres, 24 tinham 35 anos ou mais e haviam sido submetidas a transplante de fígado a pelo menos um ano antes do início do estudo. As outras 28 mulheres não tinham doença hepática e suas idades e padrões menstruais eram similares ao das transplantadas hepáticas. Para avaliação da qualidade de vida foi usada a versão abreviada do questionário da Organização Mundial da Saúde (WHOQOL-bref). Os sintomas da menopausa foram avaliados através do Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). A análise estatística foi realizada através dos testes t de Student, Mann-Whitney e ANOVA. As correlações entre o MRS e o WHOQOL-bref foram realizadas através de coeficientes de correlação. RESULTADOS: A idade média das mulheres incluídas no estudo foi de 52,2 (±10,4) anos e o tempo médio desde a realização do transplante foi de 6,1 (±3,3) anos. As mulheres transplantadas hepáticas tiveram melhores escores de qualidade de vida no domínio relacionado ao meio ambiente (p=0,01). Não houve diferença entre os dois grupos em nenhum domínio do MRS. As mulheres no grupo de comparação tiveram uma correlação fortemente negativa entre os sintomas somáticos do MRS e o domínio físico do WHOQOL-bref (p<0,01; r=-0,8), diferentemente das mulheres com transplante de fígado que tiveram uma correlação apenas moderada (p<0,01; r=-0,5). CONCLUSÕES: As mulheres com transplante de fígado tiveram melhores escores de qualidade de vida no domínio relacionado ao meio ambiente e não tiveram sintomas climatéricos mais intensos. Os sintomas do climatério influenciaram negativamente a qualidade de vida nas transplantadas hepáticas, porém com menor intensidade do que nas mulheres sem antecedentes de doença hepática.103110Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Quality Of Life And Menopausal Symptoms In Women With Liver Transplants.

To assess quality of life and climacteric symptoms in women with and without liver transplants. This was a cross-sectional study of 52 women undergoing follow-up at a university hospital in southeastern Brazil from February 4th, 2009 to January 5th, 2011. Twenty-four of these women were 35 years old or older and had undergone liver transplantation at least one year before study entry. The remaining 28 women had no liver disease and were matched by age and menstrual patterns to the patients with transplants. The abbreviated version of the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. Menopausal symptoms were assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Statistical analysis was carried out by Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney test and analysis of variance. Correlations between MRS and the WHOQOL-BREF were established by correlation coefficients. The mean age of the women included in the study was 52.2 (± 10.4) years and the mean time since transplantation was 6.1 (± 3.3) years. Women with liver transplants had better quality of life scores in the environment domain (p=0.01). No difference was noted between the two groups in any domain of the MRS. For women in the comparison group, there was a strongly negative correlation between somatic symptoms in the MRS and the physical domain of the WHOQOL-BREF (p<0.01; r=-0.8). In contrast, there was only a moderate association for women with liver transplants (p<0.01; r=-0.5). Women with liver transplants had better quality of life scores in the domain related to environment and did not exhibit more intense climacteric symptoms than did those with no liver disease. Climacteric symptoms negatively influenced quality of life in liver transplant recipients, although less intensely than in women without a history of liver disease.35103-1

Portopulmonary Hypertension

Portopulmonary hypertension (PPH) is characterized by the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with portal hypertension, with or without liver disease. It is defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) greater than 25 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) above 240 dynes.s.cm-5, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) normal when less than 15 mmHg or transpulmonary gradient (TPG) > 10 mmHg. In the pulmonary hypertension classification PPH is classified in Group I. Pulmonary arterial hypertension in association with cirrhosis and portal hypertension is underdiagnosed. Epidemiological studies estimated that about 2–6% of patients with portal hypertension develop PPH. Mortality is directly proportional to measured MPAP and PVR. Mean pulmonary artery pressure is an independent predictor of mortality, and many centers consider that values greater than 50 mmHg is an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation (LT). The aim of the review is to explore the current aspects of PPH relative to concept, diagnosis, and treatment

Is Liver Transplantation Associated With Decreased Bone Mass In Climacteric Women?

To evaluate whether climacteric women undergoing liver transplantation had higher prevalence of decreased bone mass than those without any liver disease. A cross-sectional study with 48 women receiving follow-up care at a university hospital in Southeastern Brazil, from February 4th 2009 to January 5th 2011, was conducted. Of these women, 24 were 35 years or older and had undergone liver transplantation at least one year before study entry. The remaining 24 women had no liver disease and their ages and menstrual patterns were similar to those of transplanted patients. Laboratorial tests (follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol) and bone density measurements of the lumbar spine and femur (equipment Hologic, Discovery WI) were performed. Statistical analysis was carried out by Fisher's exact test, simple Odds Ratio (OR), and multiple logistic regression. Mean age of the women included in the study was 52.8 (± 10.7) years-old, 27.1% were premenopausal and 72.9% were peri/postmenopausal. Approximately 14.6% of these women exhibited osteoporosis and 35.4% had low bone mass. The following items were associated with decreased bone mass: being postmenopausal (OR=71.4; 95%CI 3.8 - 1,339.7; p<0.0001), current age over 49 years-old (OR=11.4; 95%CI 2.9 - 44.0; p=0.0002), and serum estradiol levels lower than 44.5 pg/mL (OR=18.3; 95%CI 3.4 - 97.0; p<0.0001). Having a history of liver transplantation was not associated with decreased bone mass (OR=1.4; 95%CI 0.4 - 4.3; p=0.56). Liver transplantation was not associated with decreased bone mass in this group of climacteric women.34335-4

O transplante hepático está associado a menor massa óssea em mulheres climatéricas?

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether climacteric women undergoing liver transplantation had higher prevalence of decreased bone mass than those without any liver disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 48 women receiving follow-up care at a university hospital in Southeastern Brazil, from February 4th 2009 to January 5th 2011, was conducted. Of these women, 24 were 35 years or older and had undergone liver transplantation at least one year before study entry. The remaining 24 women had no liver disease and their ages and menstrual patterns were similar to those of transplanted patients. Laboratorial tests (follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol) and bone density measurements of the lumbar spine and femur (equipment Hologic, Discovery WI) were performed. Statistical analysis was carried out by Fisher's exact test, simple Odds Ratio (OR), and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Mean age of the women included in the study was 52.8 (±10.7) years-old, 27.1% were premenopausal and 72.9% were peri/postmenopausal. Approximately 14.6% of these women exhibited osteoporosis and 35.4% had low bone mass. The following items were associated with decreased bone mass: being postmenopausal (OR=71.4; 95%CI 3.8 - 1,339.7; p<0.0001), current age over 49 years-old (OR=11.4; 95%CI 2.9 - 44.0; p=0.0002), and serum estradiol levels lower than 44.5 pg/mL (OR=18.3; 95%CI 3.4 - 97.0; p<0.0001). Having a history of liver transplantation was not associated with decreased bone mass (OR=1.4; 95%CI 0.4 - 4.3; p=0.56). CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation was not associated with decreased bone mass in this group of climacteric women.OBJETIVO: Avaliar se mulheres climatéricas submetidas a transplante de fígado tiveram maior prevalência de massa óssea diminuída do que aquelas sem antecedente de doença hepática. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal, com 48 mulheres em acompanhamento ambulatorial em um hospital universitário na região Sudeste do Brasil, no período de 04 de fevereiro de 2009 a 05 de janeiro de 2011. Foram incluídas 24 mulheres submetidas a transplante hepático há pelo menos um ano, com idades igual ou superior a 35 anos, e 24 sem antecedente de doença hepática, com idade (± três anos) e padrão menstrual semelhante ao das transplantadas. As mulheres foram submetidas a exames laboratoriais (hormônio folículo estimulante e estradiol) e densitometria óssea de coluna lombar e fêmur, com equipamento Hologic, Discovery WI. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio do teste exato de Fisher, por Odds Ratio (OR) simples e pela regressão logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: A média etária das mulheres incluídas no estudo foi de 52,8 (±10,7) anos, sendo que 27,1% estavam na pré-menopausa e 72,9%, na peri/pós-menopausa. Aproximadamente 14,6% dessas mulheres apresentaram osteoporose e 35,4%, baixa massa óssea. Os seguintes itens foram associados com massa óssea diminuída: estar na pós-menopausa (OR=71,4; IC95% 3,8 - 1.339,7; p<0,0001), idade atual maior que 49 anos (OR=11,4; IC95% 2,9 - 44,0; p=0,0002) e nível de estradiol sérico menor que 44,5 pg/mL (OR=18,3; IC95% 3,4 - 97,0; p<0,0001). Ter antecedente de transplante hepático não se associou massa óssea diminuída (OR=1,4; IC95% 0,4 - 4,3; p=0,5). CONCLUSÃO: O transplante hepático não se associou massa óssea diminuída nesse grupo de mulheres climatéricas.335342Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP