Variability of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease key epidemiological data in Europe: systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is predicted to become a major cause of death worldwide. Studies on the variability in the estimates of key epidemiological parameters of COPD may contribute to better assessment of the burden of this disease and to helpful guidance for future research and public policies. In the present study, we examined differences in the main epidemiological characteristics of COPD derived from studies across countries of the European Union, focusing on prevalence, severity, frequency of exacerbations and mortality, as well as on differences between the studies' methods.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This systematic review was based on a search for the relevant literature in the Science Citation Index database via the Web of Science and on COPD mortality rates issued from national statistics. Analysis was finally based on 65 articles and Eurostat COPD mortality data for 21 European countries.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Epidemiological characteristics of COPD varied widely from country to country. For example, prevalence estimates ranged between 2.1% and 26.1%, depending on the country, the age group and the methods used. Likewise, COPD mortality rates ranged from 7.2 to 36.1 per 10⁵inhabitants. The methods used to estimate these epidemiological parameters were highly variable in terms of the definition of COPD, severity scales, methods of investigation and target populations. Nevertheless, to a large extent, several recent international guidelines or research initiatives, such as GOLD, BOLD or PLATINO, have boosted a substantial standardization of methodology in data collection and have resulted in the availability of more comparable epidemiological estimates across countries. On the basis of such standardization, severity estimates as well as prevalence estimates present much less variation across countries. The contribution of these recent guidelines and initiatives is outlined, as are the problems remaining in arriving at more accurate COPD epidemiological estimates across European countries.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The accuracy of COPD epidemiological parameters is important for guiding decision making with regard to preventive measures, interventions and patient management in various health care systems. Therefore, the recent initiatives for standardizing data collection should be enhanced to result in COPD epidemiological estimates of improved quality. Moreover, establishing international guidelines for reporting research on COPD may also constitute a major contribution.</p

El pensamiento latinoamericano : diálogos en ALAS. Sociedad y sociología

Ha sido el empeño colectivo lo que ha posibilitado la aparición de este libro, cuyo propósito es el de entregar a las nuevas generaciones de ALAS un compilado de textos escritos por varios de sus destacados expresidentes. Como su nombre indica, se trata de diálogos en plural, algunos inéditos, otros publicados ya. Su principal valor reside justamente en eso: en reflejar la pluralidad de nuestra Asociación, con la misma diversidad de la sociología latinoamericana

Idade da menarca em escolares de uma comunidade rural do Sudeste do Brasil Age at menarche among schoolgirls from a rural community in Southeast Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os valores dos percentis 3 (P3), 50 (P50 = Idade Mediana da Menarca = IMM) e 97(P97), e a amplitude entre os extremos (P97 e P3), nas escolares do Município de Barrinha, São Paulo, Brasil. Esses valores foram correlacionados com algumas condições sócio-econômicas: classe social, número de irmãos e situação de desemprego do pai. Trata-se de estudo transversal, utilizando o método "status quo", ajustado pelo Logito para o cálculo dos percentis. Questionário foi o instrumento aplicado a 1.602 escolares entre 8 e 17 anos incompletos. A IMM foi 12 anos(a) e 6 meses(m),P97 de 10a2 m e P3 de 14a10m. As meninas da classe social menos favorecida, e aquelas que referiram desemprego paterno apresentaram IMM mais tardia. Não houve diferença da IMM relacionada ao número de irmãos. A amplitude entre P97 e P3 mostrou-se ampla na amostra geral. Concluiu-se que Barrinha apresentou IMM semelhante e até abaixo de valores regionais, do Brasil e de alguns países desenvolvidos. O estudo do intervalo entre os percentis extremos mostrou ser um melhor indicador das diversidades biológicas e das desigualdades sócio-econômicas, do que a IMM isoladamente.<br>The purpose of this study was to determine the 3rd percentile (P3), 50th percentile (P50 = median age at menarche = MAM), and amplitude between the extremes (P97 and P3) of age at menarche among schoolgirls in the county of Barrinha, São Paulo, Brazil. Values were correlated with socioeconomic conditions such as social class, number of siblings, and father's employment status. This was a cross-sectional study based on the use of status quo adjusted by logit for calculation of percentiles. A questionnaire was applied to 1,602 schoolgirls aged 8 to 17 years (incomplete). MAM was 12 years (y) and 6 months (m), with a P97 of 10 y and 2 m and a P3 of 14 y and 10 m. Girls from lower-income families and those with unemployed fathers showed later MAM. No difference in MAM was observed with respect to number of siblings. Amplitude between P97 ad P3 was great in the overall sample. We conclude that Barrinha presented a MAM similar to and even lower than regional values for Brazil and for some developed countries. The study of the interval between extreme percentiles proved to be a better indicator of biological diversity and socioeconomic inequality than MAM alone

Encrucijadas abiertas : América Latina y el Caribe. Sociedad y pensamiento crítico Abya Yala (Tomo II)

Los textos presentados reflejan de muy buena manera la tradición del pensamiento social y de producción sociológica que interesa en ALAS. Su diversidad y sus oscilaciones, que los acercan o alejan de las formas hegemónicas de producción de conocimientos, son un claro signo de la porfiada complejidad social que nos acompaña. Desde Latinoamérica y Caribe podría contribuirse con mucha evidencia comparativa sobre, por ejemplo, los conflictos, desigualdades y precariedades sociales y su tratamiento -temas que bien van conociendo y experimentando europeos, chinos y estadounidenses. También con estudios sobre los efectos sociales que se relacionan con rápidos e inequitativos crecimientos económicos que han dado lugar al creciente protagonismo político de los sectores medios emergentes, sobre las vulnerabilidades de la variante neoliberal del capitalismo contemporáneo, o de cómo las aspiraciones de los individuos y sus familias se procesan con mejores posiciones de consumo dando lugar a vidas cotidianas que se desenvuelven, sin respiro, bajo un futuro pleno de incertidumbres. Así el pensamiento social y las ciencias sociales regionales podrían hacer importantes aportes e incluso anticipar tendencias globales