Clinical aspects of patients in home treatment for the best at home and de-hospitalization / Aspectos clínicos de pacientes em tratamento domiciliar pelo melhor em casa e desospitalização

Objetivo: analisar dados sobre à desospitalização por meio dos aspectos clínicos de pacientes com prosseguimento no domicílio pelo Programa Melhor em Casa. Método: estudo transversal analítico. Os dados compreendem o perfil dos pacientes, motivo da internação, doenças pré-existentes, clínica de entrada, dias de internação e período entre alta médica, alta hospitalar e admissão. Resultados: entre os 254 pacientes, 57,9% eram idosos e 56,3% homens, internados por acidente vascular cerebral (26,4%), pneumonia (14,2%) e por traumatismo cranioencefálico (11,0%), diagnóstico prévio de hipertensão foi registrado para 32,8%, internação na neurologia para 49,6% e 52,8% permaneceram internados por 15 dias ou mais. A alta hospitalar ocorreu em média após 3,45 horas da alta médica, a admissão no programa ocorreu em média após 11,93 dias da alta hospitalar. Conclusão: há necessidade de melhor articulação entre a Atenção Primária e os demais níveis da assistência, para garantir uma admissão mais ágil e desocupação hospitalar.

Factors associated with the control of arterial hypertension among users assisted in the family health strategy / Fatores associados ao controle da hipertensão arterial entre usuários atendidos na estratégia saúde da família

Objetivo: analisar o percentual de pacientes sob tratamento anti-hipertensivo que apresentam níveis de pressão arterial controlados e fatores associados. Método: estudo transversal e analítico. A seleção de pacientes ocorreu por amostragem probabilística, por conglomerados tratados de forma descritiva e analítica. Participaram do estudo 720 indivíduos. Resultados: após regressão logística, permaneceram associadas ao não controle da pressão arterial as variáveis sexo, adesão à terapia medicamentosa, história pregressa de doença cardíaca e automedicar-se. Conclusão: a prevalência de controle da pressão arterial foi de 54,3 %, as dificuldades no tratamento anti-hipertensivo relacionam-se a fatores como aspectos pessoais, ao ambiente de vida, ao acesso aos cuidados de saúde, destacando-se como variável modificável a não adesão medicamentosa. Reforça-se a necessidade de incentivo das políticas públicas para o estabelecimento de novas estratégias para abordagem dos fatores modificáveis no manejo da hipertensão.

Quaternary prevention in health in the perception of health professionals / Prevenção quaternária na saúde na percepção de profissionais de saúde

Objective: to understand the perceptions of health professionals who work in a hospital about quaternary prevention. Method: an exploratory qualitative study was conducted, whose theoretical basis was based on symbolic interactionism and content analysis as a methodological reference. The population consisted of thirteen health professionals. The data were obtained through interviews with a semi-structured script. Results: The analysis of the discourses determined the construction of thematic units grouped into three thematic categories for discussion: meaning of quaternary prevention for health professionals, experiences with quaternary prevention in the clinical-care context and social interactions. In the light of symbolic interactionism, positive and negative experiences were identified, highlighting the difficulties of professionals and institutions to work with quaternary prevention. Conclusion: To implement this proposal, it is necessary that a reorientation of the clinical practice of professionals is desired through desirable technical and ethical conducts.Objetivo: comprender las percepciones de los profesionales de la salud que trabajan en un hospital sobre la prevención cuaternaria. Método: se realizó un estudio cualitativo exploratorio, cuya base teórica se basó en el interaccionismo simbólico y el análisis de contenido como referencia metodológica. La población estaba formada por trece profesionales de la salud. Los datos se obtuvieron a través de entrevistas con un guión semiestructurado. Resultados: El análisis de los discursos determinó la construcción de unidades temáticas agrupadas en tres categorías temáticas para la discusión: significado de la prevención cuaternaria para los profesionales de la salud, experiencias con la prevención cuaternaria en el contexto clínico-asistencial e interacciones sociales. A la luz del interaccionismo simbólico, se identificaron experiencias positivas y negativas, destacando las dificultades de los profesionales e instituciones para trabajar con la prevención cuaternaria. Conclusión: Para implementar esta propuesta, es necesario que se desee una reorientación de la práctica clínica de los profesionales a través de conductas técnicas y éticas deseables.Objetivo: compreender as percepções de profissionais de saúde atuantes em um hospital acerca da prevenção quaternária. Método: foi conduzido um estudo exploratório de cunho qualitativo, cuja fundamentação teórica baseou-se no interacionismo simbólico e na análise de conteúdo como referencial metodológico. A população foi composta por onze profissionais de saúde. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado. Resultados: A análise dos discursos determinou a construção das unidades temáticas agrupadas em três categorias temáticas para discussão: significado da prevenção quaternária para profissionais de saúde, experiências com a prevenção quaternária no contexto clínico-assistencial e interações sociais. À luz do interacionismo simbólico, identificaram-se experiências positivas e negativas com destaque às dificuldades dos profissionais e instituições para atuarem com a prevenção quaternária. Conclusão: Para concretização dessa proposta é necessário que uma reorientação da prática clínica dos profissionais seja almejada por meio de condutas técnicas e éticas desejáveis.

Artificial neural network applied in the analysis of health-related quality of life of adolescents / Rede neural artificial aplicada na análise da qualidade de vida de adolescentes

Objetivo: construir um modelo que explique a qualidade de vida em adolescentes escolares a partir do instrumento KIDSCREEN-27 por meio da criação de uma rede neural artificial. Método: estudo transversal e analítico com 635 adolescentes utilizando-se o KIDSCREEN-27. Foi desenvolvida uma rede neural artificial com quatro camadas para avaliar a variável qualidade de vida por meio da média das respostas. Para as três primeiras camadas de neurônios foi utilizada função logística como função de transferência e para a ativação foi utilizada função linear. Resultados: a rede neural alcançou acurácia de 98,96% e quando comparadas as dimensões do KIDSCREEN-27 com sexo e prática de atividades físicas todas apresentaram associação estatística significativa, exceto as dimensões suporte social e grupo de pares e ambiente escolar. Conclusão: os resultados podem ter importantes consequências para a identificação de adolescentes em risco e o direcionamento de políticas públicas de saúde.

Artificial neural network applied in the analysis of health-related quality of life of adolescents / Rede neural artificial aplicada na análise da qualidade de vida de adolescentes

Objective: to build a model that explains the quality of life in school adolescents from the KIDSCREEN-27 instrument through the creation of an artificial neural network. Method: cross-sectional and analytical study with 635 adolescents using KIDSCREEN-27. An artificial neural network with four layers was developed to evaluate the variable quality of life by means of the mean responses. For the first three layers of neurons, logistic function was used as transfer function and linear function was used for activation. Results: the neural network reached accuracy of 98.96% and when compared the dimensions of kidscreen-27 with sex and practice of physical activities all presented significant statistical association, except the dimensions social support and peer group and school environment. Conclusion: the results may have important consequences for the identification of adolescents at risk and the direction of public health policies.Objetivo: construir un modelo que explique la calidad de vida en adolescentes escolares a partir del instrumento KIDSCREEN-27 a través de la creación de una red neuronal artificial. Método: estudio transversal y analítico con 635 adolescentes utilizando KIDSCREEN-27. Se desarrolló una red neuronal artificial con cuatro capas para evaluar la variable calidad de vida mediante las respuestas medias. Para las tres primeras capas de neuronas, la función logística se utilizó como función de transferencia y la función lineal se utilizó para la activación. Resultados: la red neuronal alcanzó una precisión del 98,96% y cuando se compararon las dimensiones de kidscreen-27 con el sexo y la práctica de actividades físicas todos presentaron una asociación estadística significativa, excepto las dimensiones de apoyo social y grupo de pares y entorno escolar. Conclusión: los resultados pueden tener consecuencias importantes para la identificación de adolescentes en riesgo y la orientación de las políticas de salud.Objetivo: construir um modelo que explique a qualidade de vida em adolescentes escolares a partir do instrumento KIDSCREEN-27 por meio da criação de uma rede neural artificial. Método: estudo transversal e analítico com 635 adolescentes utilizando-se o KIDSCREEN-27. Foi desenvolvida uma rede neural artificial com quatro camadas para avaliar a variável qualidade de vida por meio da média das respostas. Para as três primeiras camadas de neurônios foi utilizada função logística como função de transferência e para a ativação foi utilizada função linear. Resultados: a rede neural alcançou acurácia de 98,96% e quando comparadas as dimensões do KIDSCREEN-27 com sexo e prática de atividades físicas todas apresentaram associação estatística significativa, exceto as dimensões suporte social e grupo de pares e ambiente escolar. Conclusão: os resultados podem ter importantes consequências para a identificação de adolescentes em risco e o direcionamento de políticas públicas de saúde.

Estresse no trabalho relacionado ao exercício da docência no ensino superior / Work stress related ated to the exercise of teaching in higher education

Objetivo: Avaliar o nível de estresse de docentes atuantes no ensino superior público. Realizou-se um estudo epidemiológico, transversal e analítico, com docentes atuantes em cursos de graduação da área de saúde da Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri no ano de 2019. Métodos:  Como instrumento, utilizou-se a Escala de Estresse no Trabalho (EET) associada a um questionário para investigar as características sociodemográficas, de formação, trabalho e saúde. Foi realizada a análise descritiva e bivariada por meio do teste qui-quadrado. Resultados: Os resultados encontrados pela classificação dos escores totais na Escala de Estresse no Trabalho evidenciaram preponderância de baixo nível de estresse em todas as variáveis analisadas. Os docentes do estudo possuíam baixos níveis de estresse. Conclusão: Conclui-se que os docentes deste estudo apresentaram baixo nível de estresse, entretanto, é indispensável considerar os fatores estressantes desses profissionais a fim de produzir um ambiente favorável à qualidade de vida e do trabalho docente

The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

AIM: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. METHODS: This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. RESULTS: Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. CONCLUSION: One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Worldwide trends in hypertension prevalence and progress in treatment and control from 1990 to 2019: a pooled analysis of 1201 population-representative studies with 104 million participants.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension can be detected at the primary health-care level and low-cost treatments can effectively control hypertension. We aimed to measure the prevalence of hypertension and progress in its detection, treatment, and control from 1990 to 2019 for 200 countries and territories. METHODS: We used data from 1990 to 2019 on people aged 30-79 years from population-representative studies with measurement of blood pressure and data on blood pressure treatment. We defined hypertension as having systolic blood pressure 140 mm Hg or greater, diastolic blood pressure 90 mm Hg or greater, or taking medication for hypertension. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and the proportion of people with hypertension who had a previous diagnosis (detection), who were taking medication for hypertension (treatment), and whose hypertension was controlled to below 140/90 mm Hg (control). The model allowed for trends over time to be non-linear and to vary by age. FINDINGS: The number of people aged 30-79 years with hypertension doubled from 1990 to 2019, from 331 (95% credible interval 306-359) million women and 317 (292-344) million men in 1990 to 626 (584-668) million women and 652 (604-698) million men in 2019, despite stable global age-standardised prevalence. In 2019, age-standardised hypertension prevalence was lowest in Canada and Peru for both men and women; in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and some countries in western Europe including Switzerland, Spain, and the UK for women; and in several low-income and middle-income countries such as Eritrea, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Solomon Islands for men. Hypertension prevalence surpassed 50% for women in two countries and men in nine countries, in central and eastern Europe, central Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. Globally, 59% (55-62) of women and 49% (46-52) of men with hypertension reported a previous diagnosis of hypertension in 2019, and 47% (43-51) of women and 38% (35-41) of men were treated. Control rates among people with hypertension in 2019 were 23% (20-27) for women and 18% (16-21) for men. In 2019, treatment and control rates were highest in South Korea, Canada, and Iceland (treatment >70%; control >50%), followed by the USA, Costa Rica, Germany, Portugal, and Taiwan. Treatment rates were less than 25% for women and less than 20% for men in Nepal, Indonesia, and some countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. Control rates were below 10% for women and men in these countries and for men in some countries in north Africa, central and south Asia, and eastern Europe. Treatment and control rates have improved in most countries since 1990, but we found little change in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. Improvements were largest in high-income countries, central Europe, and some upper-middle-income and recently high-income countries including Costa Rica, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Turkey, and Iran. INTERPRETATION: Improvements in the detection, treatment, and control of hypertension have varied substantially across countries, with some middle-income countries now outperforming most high-income nations. The dual approach of reducing hypertension prevalence through primary prevention and enhancing its treatment and control is achievable not only in high-income countries but also in low-income and middle-income settings. FUNDING: WHO

Worldwide trends in hypertension prevalence and progress in treatment and control from 1990 to 2019: a pooled analysis of 1201 population-representative studies with 104 million participants

Background Hypertension can be detected at the primary health-care level and low-cost treatments can effectively control hypertension. We aimed to measure the prevalence of hypertension and progress in its detection, treatment, and control from 1990 to 2019 for 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 1990 to 2019 on people aged 30-79 years from population-representative studies with measurement of blood pressure and data on blood pressure treatment. We defined hypertension as having systolic blood pressure 140 mm Hg or greater, diastolic blood pressure 90 mm Hg or greater, or taking medication for hypertension. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and the proportion of people with hypertension who had a previous diagnosis (detection), who were taking medication for hypertension (treatment), and whose hypertension was controlled to below 140/90 mm Hg (control). The model allowed for trends over time to be non-linear and to vary by age. Findings The number of people aged 30-79 years with hypertension doubled from 1990 to 2019, from 331 (95% credible interval 306-359) million women and 317 (292-344) million men in 1990 to 626 (584-668) million women and 652 (604-698) million men in 2019, despite stable global age-standardised prevalence. In 2019, age-standardised hypertension prevalence was lowest in Canada and Peru for both men and women; in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and some countries in western Europe including Switzerland, Spain, and the UK for women; and in several low-income and middle-income countries such as Eritrea, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Solomon Islands for men. Hypertension prevalence surpassed 50% for women in two countries and men in nine countries, in central and eastern Europe, central Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. Globally, 59% (55-62) of women and 49% (46-52) of men with hypertension reported a previous diagnosis of hypertension in 2019, and 47% (43-51) of women and 38% (35-41) of men were treated. Control rates among people with hypertension in 2019 were 23% (20-27) for women and 18% (16-21) for men. In 2019, treatment and control rates were highest in South Korea, Canada, and Iceland (treatment >70%; control >50%), followed by the USA, Costa Rica, Germany, Portugal, and Taiwan. Treatment rates were less than 25% for women and less than 20% for men in Nepal, Indonesia, and some countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. Control rates were below 10% for women and men in these countries and for men in some countries in north Africa, central and south Asia, and eastern Europe. Treatment and control rates have improved in most countries since 1990, but we found little change in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. Improvements were largest in high-income countries, central Europe, and some upper-middle-income and recently high-income countries including Costa Rica, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Turkey, and Iran. Interpretation Improvements in the detection, treatment, and control of hypertension have varied substantially across countries, with some middle-income countries now outperforming most high-income nations. The dual approach of reducing hypertension prevalence through primary prevention and enhancing its treatment and control is achievable not only in high-income countries but also in low-income and middle-income settings. Copyright (C) 2021 World Health Organization; licensee Elsevier