Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in South America: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is among the most prevalent chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases worldwide. The aim of this study was to establish a pooled estimate of the RA prevalence in South America by means of a meta-analysis of the available epidemiologic studies. Systematic searches in PubMed, Lilacs, SciELO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases (updated May 2019) were done followed by a systematic grey literature search to identify original research articles and reports, published after 2000, providing data of RA prevalence in any South American country. Proportion meta-analysis of weighted pooled was performed, with between-trial heterogeneity assessed by the inconsistency relative index. Sensitivity analyses and sub-group analyses were also done. A total of 25 articles, representing 27 population-based studies were included. Pooled prevalence of RA resulted in 0.48% with 591,981 cases in a population of 114,537,812 individuals (I2=99%). Brazil and Colombia presented the lowest rates of RA prevalence 0.22%, and 0.24%, respectively. RA prevalence in indigenous population was higher 1.45%, and studies using COPCORD method reported also the highest rates 1.07%

Conhecimento sobre hipertensão arterial e fatores associados à não adesão à farmacoterapia

OBJECTIVES: to identify the degree of knowledge of people with hypertension concerning the disease and to verify the factors associated with the non-adherence to anti-hypertensive drug therapy. METHOD: Cross sectional study, involving 422 people. Data collection took place at their homes, between December 2011 and March 2012, through interviews using the following instruments: Medication Adherence Questionnaire (MAQ-Q), Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) and a guide with questions related to sociodemographic profile, satisfaction with healthcare service and knowledge about the disease. RESULTS: 42.6% did not adhere to the drug therapy and 17.7% had poor knowledge about the disease. Factors associated with the non-adherence were: complex drug therapy, poor knowledge about the disease and dissatisfaction with the healthcare service. CONCLUSION: The findings reinforce that the complex drug therapy prescriptions, little knowledge about the disease and dissatisfaction with the healthcare service have influence on the process of non-adherence to anti-hypertensive drug therapy.OBJETIVOS: identificar el nivel de conocimiento de personas con hipertensión arterial acerca de la enfermedad y verificar los factores asociados a la no adhesión a la farmacoterapia antihipertensiva. MÉTODO: estudio transversal realizado en 422 individuos. Los datos fueron recolectados en los domicilios, entre diciembre de 2011 y marzo de 2012, por medio de entrevistas utilizando los instrumentos: Cuestionario de Adhesión a Medicamentos (CAM-Q), Índice de Complejidad de la Farmacoterapia y un guión con preguntas relativas al perfil sociodemográfico, satisfacción con el servicio de salud y conocimiento sobre la enfermedad. RESULTADOS: 42,6% no adherían a la farmacoterapia y 17,7% poseían conocimiento insatisfactorio sobre la enfermedad. Los factores asociados a la no adhesión fueron: farmacoterapia compleja, conocimiento insatisfactorio sobre la enfermedad e insatisfacción con el servicio de salud. CONCLUSIÓN: Los hallazgos refuerzan que prescripciones farmacológicas complejas, poco conocimiento sobre la enfermedad e insatisfacción con el servicio de salud influyen en el proceso de la no adhesión al tratamiento medicamentoso antihipertensivo.OBJETIVOS: identificar o nível de conhecimento de pessoas com hipertensão arterial acerca da doença e verificar os fatores associados à não adesão à farmacoterapia anti-hipertensiva. MÉTODO: estudo transversal, realizado com 422 indivíduos. Os dados foram coletados nos domicílios, entre dezembro de 2011 e março de 2012, por meio de entrevistas, utilizando os instrumentos: Questionário de Adesão a Medicamentos, Índice de Complexidade da Farmacoterapia e um roteiro com questões relativas ao perfil sociodemográfico, satisfação com o serviço de saúde e conhecimento sobre a doença. RESULTADOS: 42,6% não aderiram à farmacoterapia e 17,7% possuíam conhecimento insatisfatório sobre a doença. Os fatores associados à não adesão foram: farmacoterapia complexa, conhecimento insatisfatório sobre a doença e insatisfação com o serviço de saúde. CONCLUSÃO: os achados reforçam que prescrições farmacológicas complexas, pouco conhecimento sobre a doença e insatisfação com o serviço de saúde influenciam no processo de não adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso anti-hipertensivo

Quality of life among people living with hypertension in a rural Vietnam community

Background - To respond to growing prevalence of hypertension in Vietnam, it is critical to have an in-depth understanding about quality of life (QOL) among people living with hypertension and related factors. This study aimed to measure QOL among hypertensive people in a rural community in Vietnam, and its association with socio-demographic characteristics and factors related to treatment. Methods - This study was conducted in a rural community located 60 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Face-to-face interviews were conducted among 275 hypertensive people aged 50 years and above using WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to examine mean scores of quality of life. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were applied to estimate the internal consistency, and the level of agreement between different domains of WHOQOL-BREF, respectively. Independent T-test and ANOVA test followed by multiple linear regression analyses were used to measure the association between QOL domains and independent variables. Results - Both overall WHOQOL-BREF and each domain had a good internal consistency, ranging from 0.65 to 0.88. The QOL among hypertensive patients was found moderate in all domains, except for psychological domain that was fairly low (mean = 49.4). Backward multiple linear regressions revealed that being men, married, attainment of higher education, having physical activities at moderate level, and adherence to treatment were positively associated with QOL. However, older age and presence of co-morbidity were negatively associated with QOL. Conclusion - WHOQOL-BREF is a reliable instrument to measure QOL among hypertensive patients. The results revealed low QOL in psychological domain and inequality in QOL across socio-demographic characteristics. Given the results, encouraging physical activities and strengthening treatment adherence should be considered to improve QOL of hypertensive people, especially for psychological aspect. Actions to improve QOL among hypertensive patients targeted towards women, lower educated and unmarried patients are needed in the setting

Psychometric performance of the brazilian version of the Mini-cuestionario de calidad de vida en la hipertensión arterial (MINICHAL)

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, ceiling and floor effects, reliability, and convergent construct validity of the Brazilian version of the Mini Cuestionario de Calidad de Vida en la Hipertensión Arterial (MINICHAL). The study included 200 hypertensive outpatients in a university hospital and a primary healthcare unit. The MINICHAL was applied in 3.0 (± 1.0) minutes with 100% of the items answered. A "ceiling effect" was observed in both dimensions and in the total score, as well as evidence of measurement stability (ICC=0.74). The convergent validity was confirmed by significant positive correlations between similar dimensions of the MINICHAL and the SF-36, and significant negative correlations with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire - MLHFQ, however, correlations between dissimilar constructs were also observed. It was concluded that the Brazilian version of the MINICHAL presents evidence of reliability and validity when applied to hypertensive outpatientsEste estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la practicidad, la aceptabilidad, los efectos techo y suelo, la confiabilidad y la validez de constructo convergente de la versión brasileña del Minicuestionario de Calidad de Vida de la Hipertensión Arterial - MINICHAL. Participaron del estudio 200 pacientes hipertensos en seguimiento en ambulatorio, en hospital universitario y en Unidad Básica de Salud. El MINICHAL fue aplicado en 3,0 (±1,0) minutos, con 100% de los ítems respondidos. Fue observado "efecto techo" en ambas dimensiones y puntaje total, así como evidencias de estabilidad de la medida (CCI=0,74). La validez convergente fue confirmada por correlaciones significativas positivas entre dimensiones similares del MINICHAL y del SF-36, y por correlaciones significativas negativas con el Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire - MLHFQ, a pesar de que correlaciones entre constructos no similares hubiesen sido observadas. Se concluye que la versión brasileña del MINICHAL presenta evidencia de confiabilidad y validez cuando aplicada en hipertensos en seguimiento en ambulatorio.Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a praticabilidade, a aceitabilidade, os efeitos teto e chão, a confiabilidade e a validade de constructo convergente da versão brasileira do mini - cuestionario de calidad de vida en la hipertensión arterial - Minichal. Participaram do estudo 200 pacientes hipertensos, em seguimento ambulatorial, em hospital universitário e unidade básica de saúde. O Minichal foi aplicado em 3,0 (±1,0) minutos, com 100% dos itens respondidos. Foi observado efeito teto em ambas as dimensões e escore total, bem como evidências de estabilidade da medida (ICC=0,74). A validade convergente foi confirmada por correlações significativas positivas entre dimensões similares do Minichal e do SF-36, e por correlações significativas negativas com o Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire - MLHFQ, embora correlações entre constructos dissimilares tenham sido observadas. Conclui-se que a versão brasileira do Minichal apresenta evidência de confiabilidade e validade, quando aplicada em hipertensos, em seguimento ambulatorial

Tradução para o português e validação do instrumento Diabetes Quality of Life Measure (DQOL-Brasil)

Objetivo: Avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira do questionário de medida da qualidade de vida em diabetes (DQOL). Métodos: O DQOL foi traduzido ao português segundo protocolo e aplicado em 121 indivíduos (56,2% mulheres), com tempo diagnóstico médio de diabetes melito tipo 2 de 8,1 ± 7,13 anos e na faixa etária de 32 a 89 anos. Resultados: O instrumento apresentou consistência interna total (α de Cronbach = 0,92). Todas as questões apresentaram correlação positiva (p < 0,01) com seus domínios e com o escore geral do questionário, exceto as questões 18 e 35, que requereram exclusão da versão traduzida. O instrumento foi capaz de diferenciar pacientes com HbA1c acima e abaixo de 9% (p = 0,01). Conclusão: O DQOL-Brasil apresenta aspectos de confiabilidade e validade adequados para sua utilização em pacientes adultos com diabetes tipo 2