Avaliação dos níveis séricos das vitaminas A, E, C e B2, de carotenóides e zinco, em idosos hospitalizados Assessment of vitamin A, E, C and B2, carotenoid and zinc serum levels in elderly hospital patients

Foram verificados os níveis séricos de zinco, carotenóides e vitaminas A, E, C, B2 em todos os idosos (n = 202) internados nas diversas enfermarias do hospital estudado, no período de fevereiro de 1986 a outubro de 1988. Foram estudados 130 homens e 72 mulheres que apresentaram média de idade de 67,8 anos, com variação entre 60 a 88. A percentagem de níveis séricos deficitários foi de 59,5 para o zinco, 56,5% para a vitamina C, 34,5% para a vitamina B2, 26% para a vitamina E, 13,2% para a vitamina A e 6,8% para os carotenóides. Os idosos portadores de leucoses, magaesôfogo, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica e insuficiência cardíaca congestiva constituíram-se no grupo de pacientes com grande prevalência de estado deficitário de zinco e das vitaminas estudadas, resultados que mostram a importância de se investigar as deficiências desses micronutrientes e dão subsídios para a abordagem terapêutica mais racional do paciente idoso internado.<br>Serum levels of carotenoids, zinc and vitamins A, E, C and B2 were measured in al (n = 202) the elderly patients hospitalized in different wards of the hospital studied from February 1986 to October 1988. The study was conducted on 130 men and 72 women with a mean age of 67.8 years (range: 60 to 88 years). The percentage of nutritional deficiency was 59.5% for zinc, 56.5% for vitamin C, 34.5% for vitamin B2, 25.9% for vitamin E, 13.2% for vitamin A, and 6.8% for carotenoids. Elderly patients with leucoses, megaesophagus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and congestive heart failure represent a group with a high prevalence of deficiency both of zinc and of the vitamins under study. These results show the importance of detecting deficiencies of these micronutrients and provide a basis for a more rational approach to the treatment of elderly patients

Factors associated with bronchiectasis in patients with uncontrolled asthma; the NOPES score: a study in 398 patients

Abstract Background Some studies have reported a high prevalence of bronchiectasis in patients with uncontrolled asthma, but the factors associated with this condition are unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of bronchiectasis in uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma and to identify risk factors and their correlation with bronchiectasis in these patients. Methods This is a prospective study of data from consecutive patients with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma. Diagnosis of bronchiectasis was based on high-resolution computed tomography. A prognostic score was developed using a logistic regression model, which was used to determine the factors associated with bronchiectasis. Results A total of 398 patients (60% with severe asthma) were included. The prevalence of bronchiectasis was 28.4%. The presence of bronchiectasis was associated with a higher frequency of chronic expectoration (OR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.49–5.84; p = 0.002), greater severity of asthma (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.29–4.57; p = 0.006), at least one previous episode of pneumonia (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.03–5.69; p = 0.044), and lower levels of FeNO (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99; p = 0.016). The NOPES score was developed on the basis of these variables (FeNO[cut off point 20.5 ppb], Pneumonia, Expectoration and asthma Severity), and it ranges from 0 to 4 points, where 0 means “no risk” and 4 corresponds to “high risk”. The NOPES score yielded an AUC-ROC of 70% for the diagnosis of bronchiectasis, with a specificity of 95%. Conclusions Almost a third of the patients with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma had bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis was related to the severity of asthma, the presence of chronic expectoration, a previous history of pneumonia, and lower levels of FeNO. The NOPES score is an easy-to-use scoring system with a high prognostic value for bronchiectasis in patients with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma

Interrelation between parasitic infections and hypovitaminosis A: Schistosoma mansoni infection and the retinol blood levels in an endemic area of State of Minas Gerais (Brazil)

The interrelation between schistosomiasis and the retinol blood levels was studied in a double blind method, by comparing the serum vitamin A of the infected and non-infected group of an endemic area of Schistosoma mansoni infection. The infected group was characterized by 106 parasitized persons in the intestinal and hepatointestinal forms, who eliminated less than 500 eggs/gram of feces (Modified Kato's method); the non-infected group was characterized by 112 inhabitants of this endemic area without eggs in the stools and presenting negative intradermal reactions, and absence of previous specific treatment. The blood levels of retinol was determinated using trifluoracetic acid method, regarding the normal levels > 20,0mg/100ml. The results of this study point out the absence of correlation between S. mansoni infection and blood levels of vitamin A

Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis due to fungi other than Aspergillus: a global overview.

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