The role of frequency doubling perimetry in the diagnosis of glaucoma: screening in employees of a public hospital in an urban area of São Paulo

PURPOSE: To study the prevalence of glaucoma in employees of a public hospital in São Paulo and to analyze the role of frequency doubling perimetry along with non-contact tonometry and direct ophthalmoscopy, in the screening for glaucoma. METHODS: 612 employees of the Central Hospital of the Santa Casa de São Paulo were evaluated from October 15 to 20, 2000; 438 were women and 174 men, with mean age of 45.05±7.7 years (range, 35 to 81 years); 437 were white, 104 mulatto, 43 black and 28 Asian. All examinations were done by 10 eye specialists with experience in glaucoma. All employees had both eyes examined, by means of frequency doubling perimetry (FDT), ophthalmoscopy (FO), and non-contact tonometry (TNC). RESULTS: 159 (25.98%) subjects presented with at least one abnormal testing; 5 (3.14%) had high IOP (TNC+); 13 (8.17%) presented suspicious disk (FO+); 110 (69.18%) presented abnormal FDT (FDP+); 8 (5.03%) TNC+ and FO+; 10 (6.28%) had TNC+ and FDT+; 9 (5.66%) presented FO+ and FDT+; 4 (2.51%) had TNC+, FO+ and FDT+; 12 (1.96%) individuals were diagnosed with glaucoma, four of whom (0.65%), with normal pressure glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: Frequency doubling perimetry was found to be an important step in the screening for glaucoma in the study. Of the 12 individuals that had the diagnosis of glaucoma, 5 (41.6%) would not have been diagnosed if they had not undergone frequency doubling perimetry.OBJETIVO: Estudar a prevalência de glaucoma, em funcionários da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo e analisar a validade da inclusão da perimetria de freqüência dupla junto à tonometria de não-contato e à oftalmoscopia direta, na triagem para glaucoma. MÉTODOS: Foram examinados 612 funcionários voluntários, 438 mulheres e 174 homens, com idade média de 45,05±7,7 anos. Eram 437 da raça branca, 104 mulatos, 43 da raça negra e 28 da raça amarela. Todos os funcionários tiveram ambos os olhos examinados por especialistas em glaucoma, que realizaram os seguintes exames: perimetria de freqüência dupla (FDT), oftalmoscopia direta (FO), tonometria de não-contato (TNC). RESULTADOS: Dos 612 indivíduos triados, 159 (25,98%) apresentaram alguma anormalidade em pelo menos um dos exames: 5 (3,14%) apresentaram pressão intra-ocular elevada (TNC+); 13 (8,17%) apresentaram oftalmoscopia suspeita (FO+); 110 (69,18%) apresentaram perimetria de freqüência dupla alterado (FDT+); 8 (5,03%) TNC+ e FO+; 10 (6,28%) TNC+ e FDT+; 9 (5,66%) FO+ e FDT+; 4 (2,51%) TNC+, FO+ e FDT+. Foram detectados 12 (1,96%) indivíduos com glaucoma, quatro dos quais (0,65%) com glaucoma de pressão normal. CONCLUSÕES: A perimetria de freqüência dupla mostrou-se útil para o rastreamento de glaucoma dentro da amostragem estudada. Do total de 12 indivíduos que tiveram o diagnóstico de glaucoma, 5 (41,6%) não teriam sido detectados se não tivessem sido submetidos a perimetria de freqüência dupla.Santa Casa de São Paulo Departamento de OftalmologiaSanta Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo Departamento de Oftalmologia Setor de GlaucomaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de OftalmologiaSanta Casa de São Paulo Faculdade de Ciências Médicas Departamento de OftalmologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de OftalmologiaSciEL

The use of amniotic membrane in trabeculectomy for the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma

INTRODUÇÃO: A trabeculectomia é a técnica de eleição para o tratamento cirúrgico do glaucoma. Entretanto, estudos recentes têm demonstrado perda da eficácia e menor redução da pressão intra-ocular dos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia ao longo dos anos. Esta diminuição decorre do contínuo processo de cicatrização e proliferação de fibroblastos na superfície epiescleral na região da bolha filtrante. Com o objetivo de diminuir esta proliferação fibroblástica e a conseqüente perda de função da trabeculectomia, introduziu-se o uso de antimetabólicos como o 5-fluorouracil e a mitomicina C. O uso dos antimetabólicos, no entanto, com freqüência é acompanhado dos indesejáveis efeitos da filtração excessiva e hipotonia. O uso da membrana amniótica em oftalmologia remonta aos anos de 1940, quando vários autores relataram seus efeitos benéficos no tratamento de doenças da superfície ocular. Além de promover a epitelização de superfícies, a membrana amniótica também é inibidora da fibrose. O efeito inibidor da fibrose pela membrana amniótica é altamente desejável na modulação da cicatrização após a trabeculectomia. O objetivo deste estudo é comparar a eficácia e a segurança do uso da membrana amniótica na trabeculectomia no tratamento cirúrgico do glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo prospectivo aberto, aleatório, com grupos paralelos de tratamento. Sessenta e três pacientes com indicação de cirurgia para glaucoma foram selecionados e aleatoriamente divididos em 2 RESUMO grupos. O primeiro grupo foi submetido a trabeculectomia com o uso peroperatório da membrana amniótica (grupo estudo) e o segundo grupo foi submetido a trabeculectomia sem o uso da membrana amniótica (grupo controle), na seção de glaucoma do Departamento de Oftalmologia da Santa Casa de São Paulo. Foram avaliados os efeitos redutores da pressão intraocular, número de medicações, aparência da bolha filtrante e complicações. Todos os pacientes foram acompanhados por 12 meses. RESULTADOS: A média das pressões pré-operatórias foi de 25,19 ± 7,34 mmHg no grupo da membrana amniótica e 25,42 ± 7,71 mmHg no grupo controle. A média das pressões pós-operatórias foi de 13,13 ± 2,50 mmHg no grupo da membrana amniótica e 15,47 ± 2,92 mmHg no grupo controle, diferença estatisticamente significante no seguimento de 1 ano. Não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos controle e estudo em relação ao número de medicações pré e pós-operatória. No final de 12 meses de seguimento, no grupo de estudo, dois entre 31 olhos (6,45%) apresentaram bolha plana e vascularizada, 14 olhos (45,16%) bolha elevada e pouco vascularizada e 15 olhos (48,38 %) bolha fina e avascular. No grupo controle sete entre 32 olhos (21,87%) apresentaram bolha plana vascularizada, 22 olhos (68,75%) bolha elevada e pouco vascularizada e três olhos (9,37%) bolha fina e avascular. Foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos estudo e controle quanto a distribuição dos tipos de bolha encontradas. As complicações observadas no grupo de estudo foram um olho com câmara anterior rasa (3,22%) e dois olhos que apresentaram bolha encapsulada (6,45%). No grupo controle, dois olhos apresentaram câmara anterior rasa (6,25%), um olho descolamento de coróide (3,12%) e dois olhos RESUMO com bolha encapsulada (6,25%). CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo demonstrou que a trabeculectomia com membrana amniótica causou maior redução da pressão intra-ocular e aparência menos vascularizada das bolhas filtrantes. Mostrou-se uma técnica segura e com baixo índice de complicações.INTRODUCTION: Trabeculectomy is the procedure of choice for the surgical treatment of glaucoma until nowadays. However, recent studies have demonstrated a loss of efficacy and minor reduction of intraocular pressure in patients who underwent surgery over the years. This loss of efficacy of the trabeculectomy is related to the continuous process of healing and fibroblastic proliferation in the episcleral surface inside the filtering bleb. The use of 5-fluorouracil or mitomycin-C can improve the results of trabeculectomy, but they have been associated with an increased incidence of postoperative complications, especially in primary trabeculectomies. The use of amniotic membrane in ophthalmology retraces back to 1940, when some authors showed its beneficial effect in treatment of ocular surface disorders. Amniotic membrane can promote epitelization of ocular surface and act as an inhibitor of fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of human preserved amniotic membrane in the trabeculectomy for treatment of primary open angle glaucoma. METHODS: The study was a prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing primary trabeculectomy with amniotic membrane (study group) and without amniotic membrane (control group) in the treatment of the glaucoma. Intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medication, appearance of the bleb and complications were compared between the two groups. Sixty-three patients were divided in the study group of 31 patientes and control group of 32 patients and were followed for a period of 12 months in the glaucoma section of Santa Casa de Sao Paulo. RESULTS: The mean pre-operative IOP was 25.19 ± 7.34 mmHg in the amniotic membrane group and 25.42 ± 7.71 mmHg in the control group. The difference of the mean postoperative IOP between groups was statistically significant; in the control group it was 15.47 ± 2.92 mmHg and in the study group 13.13± 2.50 mmHg at one year follow up. Postoperative number of medication decreased in both groups. Analysis shows at the end of 12-month follow-up period in the study group two of 31 eyes (6.45%) exhibited flat vascularized bleb, 14 eyes (45.16%) had elevated but not avascular blebs and 9 eyes (48.38%) showed thin, avascular blebs. In the control group seven of 32 eyes (21.87%) exhibited flat vascularized bleb, 22 eyes (68.75%) had elevated but not avascular blebs and three eyes (9.37%) showed a thin avascular bleb. Complications were: one eye (3.22%) presented with shallow anterior chamber after surgery and two eyes (6.45%) had encapsulated bleb in the study group; in the control group, two eyes (6.25%) presented shallow anterior chamber after surgery, one eye (3.12%) had coroidal detachment and two eyes (6.25%) developed encapsulated bleb. CONCLUSIONS: Trabeculectomy with amniotic membrane and standard trabeculectomy promote lower postoperative IOP and the results showed statistically significant difference between groups in postoperative IOP after one year follow-up. The procedure is safe with low rate of complications

Comparação entre a correção cilíndrica total e o equivalente esférico na realização da perimetria computadorizada Comparison between the full cylindrical correction and the spherical equivalent in the execution of automated perimetry

OBJETIVO: Verificar a existência de diferença estatisticamente significativa entre exames de campimetria computadorizada, realizados com a utilização da correção total e do equivalente esférico, em pacientes com ametropia cilíndrica de valores iguais ou maiores que 1,50 dioptrias. MÉTODOS: Vinte pacientes (35 olhos) foram submetidos a exame de campo visual, perimetria computadorizada Humphrey - estratégia SITA 24-2, usando em um exame a correção total e em outro o equivalente esférico. Foram utilizados como parâmetros de comparação os valores de Mean Deviation, Pattern Standard Deviation, perdas de fixação, falso-positivos, falso-negativos e duração dos exames. RESULTADOS: Os parâmetros Mean Deviation, Standard Pattern Deviation, falso-positivos, falso-negativos e duração do exame não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa. A perda de fixação foi maior no grupo usando correção cilíndrica total, dado estatisticamente significante. CONCLUSÃO: Exames de campo visual realizados com equivalente esférico não mostram diferença na sensibilidade retínica quando comparados com o uso de correção cilíndrica total, dentro dos padrões adotados neste estudo.<br>PURPOSE: To compare the results in subjects undergoing visual field testing using the full cylindrical correction and the spherical equivalent. METHODS: Twenty patients (35 eyes) underwent visual field testing with Humphrey (SITA 24-2) perimetry using the full cylindrical correction and the spherical equivalent at a random sequence. Mean Deviation, Standard Pattern Deviation, fixation loss, false positive and false negative results and test duration were compared. RESULTS: No difference was found regarding Mean Deviation, Standard Pattern Deviation, false positive and false negative results and test duration. Fixation loss was significantly higher with the full cylindrical correction. CONCLUSION: Visual fields performed with the spherical equivalent show no change in the retinal sensitivity when compared to examinations done with the full cylindrical correction for the same eye

Effects of once-weekly exenatide on cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular effects of adding once-weekly treatment with exenatide to usual care in patients with type 2 diabetes are unknown. METHODS: We randomly assigned patients with type 2 diabetes, with or without previous cardiovascular disease, to receive subcutaneous injections of extended-release exenatide at a dose of 2 mg or matching placebo once weekly. The primary composite outcome was the first occurrence of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke. The coprimary hypotheses were that exenatide, administered once weekly, would be noninferior to placebo with respect to safety and superior to placebo with respect to efficacy. RESULTS: In all, 14,752 patients (of whom 10,782 [73.1%] had previous cardiovascular disease) were followed for a median of 3.2 years (interquartile range, 2.2 to 4.4). A primary composite outcome event occurred in 839 of 7356 patients (11.4%; 3.7 events per 100 person-years) in the exenatide group and in 905 of 7396 patients (12.2%; 4.0 events per 100 person-years) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83 to 1.00), with the intention-to-treat analysis indicating that exenatide, administered once weekly, was noninferior to placebo with respect to safety (P<0.001 for noninferiority) but was not superior to placebo with respect to efficacy (P=0.06 for superiority). The rates of death from cardiovascular causes, fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction, fatal or nonfatal stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, and hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome, and the incidence of acute pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and serious adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with type 2 diabetes with or without previous cardiovascular disease, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events did not differ significantly between patients who received exenatide and those who received placebo

Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, ventilation management, and outcomes in invasively ventilated intensive care unit patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome: a pooled analysis of four observational studies

Background: Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, the practice of ventilation, and outcome in invasively ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remain unexplored. In this analysis we aim to address these gaps using individual patient data of four large observational studies. Methods: In this pooled analysis we harmonised individual patient data from the ERICC, LUNG SAFE, PRoVENT, and PRoVENT-iMiC prospective observational studies, which were conducted from June, 2011, to December, 2018, in 534 ICUs in 54 countries. We used the 2016 World Bank classification to define two geoeconomic regions: middle-income countries (MICs) and high-income countries (HICs). ARDS was defined according to the Berlin criteria. Descriptive statistics were used to compare patients in MICs versus HICs. The primary outcome was the use of low tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) for the first 3 days of mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes were key ventilation parameters (tidal volume size, positive end-expiratory pressure, fraction of inspired oxygen, peak pressure, plateau pressure, driving pressure, and respiratory rate), patient characteristics, the risk for and actual development of acute respiratory distress syndrome after the first day of ventilation, duration of ventilation, ICU length of stay, and ICU mortality. Findings: Of the 7608 patients included in the original studies, this analysis included 3852 patients without ARDS, of whom 2345 were from MICs and 1507 were from HICs. Patients in MICs were younger, shorter and with a slightly lower body-mass index, more often had diabetes and active cancer, but less often chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure than patients from HICs. Sequential organ failure assessment scores were similar in MICs and HICs. Use of LTVV in MICs and HICs was comparable (42·4% vs 44·2%; absolute difference -1·69 [-9·58 to 6·11] p=0·67; data available in 3174 [82%] of 3852 patients). The median applied positive end expiratory pressure was lower in MICs than in HICs (5 [IQR 5-8] vs 6 [5-8] cm H2O; p=0·0011). ICU mortality was higher in MICs than in HICs (30·5% vs 19·9%; p=0·0004; adjusted effect 16·41% [95% CI 9·52-23·52]; p&lt;0·0001) and was inversely associated with gross domestic product (adjusted odds ratio for a US$10 000 increase per capita 0·80 [95% CI 0·75-0·86]; p&lt;0·0001). Interpretation: Despite similar disease severity and ventilation management, ICU mortality in patients without ARDS is higher in MICs than in HICs, with a strong association with country-level economic status