Demographic and anthropometrical analysis and genotype distribution of chronic hepatitis C patients treated in public and private reference centers in Brazil

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious public health problem, since 80% to 85% of HCV carriers develop a persistent infection that can progress into liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Considering that the response of hepatitis C patients to combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin depends on HCV characteristics as well as on host features, we made a retrospective analysis of demographic and anthropometrical data and HCV genotype distribution of chronic hepatitis C patients treated in public and private reference centers in Brazil. The medical records of 4,996 patients were reviewed, 81% from public and 19% from private institutions. Patients' median age was 46 years, and there was a higher prevalence of male (62%) and white patients (80%). The analysis of HCV-infecting strains showed a predominance of genotype 1 (64%) over genotypes 2 and 3. The patients' mean weight was 70.6 kg, and 65% of the patients weighed less than 77kg. Overweight and obesity were observed in 37.8% and 13.6% of the patients, respectively. Since a body weight of 75 kg or less has been considered an independent factor that significantly increases the odds of achieving a sustained virological response, the Brazilian population seems to have a more favorable body weight profile to achieve a sustained response than the American and European populations. The finding that 65% of chronic hepatitis C patients have a body weight of 77 kg or less may have a positive pharmacoeconomic impact on the treatment of genotype 1 HCV patients with weight-based doses of peginterferon

A intervenção do psicólogo em contextos de educação especial na grande Florianópolis The intervention of the psychologist in special education contexts in greater Florianopolis

A educação especial tem sido um contexto de inserção do psicólogo na área educacional. À luz das políticas de inclusão vigentes, a atuação do psicólogo se volta à promoção de práticas educacionais que favoreçam a participação e aprendizado de todos os alunos. A formação de profissionais na área da educação demanda o estudo das necessidades sociais que irão atender. Somente a partir de dados concretos acerca do contexto e das possibilidades de intervenção pode-se identificar os conhecimentos que deverão ser ensinados. Entretanto, são raros os estudos que investigam as formas contemporâneas de intervenção da psicologia na educação especial. Assim, reunir dados sobre essa atuação permite instrumentalizar a reflexão sobre a formação em psicologia educacional. Esse trabalho é resultado de uma pesquisa qualitativa e exploratória que objetivou descrever as características da atuação de psicólogos da Grande Florianópolis vinculados à instituições de educação especial. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas. As categorizações foram decorrentes do dialogo estabelecido nas entrevistas e, portanto, constituídas posteriormente. A análise dos dados permitiu verificar a sobreposição das três formas de intervenção que historicamente definiram a atuação do psicólogo nessa área, a saber, a segregação, a integração e a inclusão, sendo o foco principal de atuação centrada no aluno com queixa escolar e/ou com suspeita de deficiência intelectual. Diante disso, conclui-se esse estudo ressaltando a importância dos psicólogos refletirem sobre as implicações das políticas inclusivas para sua prática profissional.<br>In the field of education, special education has been context in which psychologists have a place. In light of the existing inclusion policies, the work of the psychologist has been directed toward promoting educational practices that benefit all students' participation and learning. The training of professionals in this educational area demands studying the social needs that will be encountered. The only way to identify what kinds of knowledge should be taught is to obtain tangible data about the context and the intervention possibilities. Nevertheless, few studies have been carried out to investigate contemporary forms of psychological intervention in special education. Thus, gathering data about this issue contributes as a basis on which to build reflection and understanding for professional preparation in educational psychology. This article is the result of qualitative and exploratory research designed to describe the procedural characteristics of psychologists working in special education institutions in Greater Florianopolis. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The categorization was derived from the exchanges established during the interviews and were therefore constituted at a later moment. The data analysis enabled us to perceive an overlap of three intervention forms that historically define the psychologists' procedure in this area, namely, segregation, integration, and inclusion, with the main procedural focus being on the student with a school grievance and/or suspected of having an intellectual disability. Based on these findings, this paper concludes by highlighting the importance of psychologists reflecting on the implications of inclusive policies in their professional practices