Who is responsible for Brazil’s COVID-19 catastrophe?

Despite being relatively well-placed to combat COVID-19, Brazil now has one of the highest death rates in the world. Often seen as a problem of coordination between levels of government, the real issue has been federal-level failures that stem back to a pre-existing political crisis. This catastrophic, top-down mishandling of the pandemic has effectively neutralised the strengths and often heroic efforts of the national healthcare system, write Gabriela Lotta (FGV), Michelle Fernandez (Universidade de Brasília), Deisy Ventura (Universidade de São Paulo), Danielle Rached (FGV), Melania Amorim (Universidade Federal de Campina Grande), Lorena Barberia (Universidade de São Paulo), Tatiane Moraes (Fiocruz), and Clare Wenham (LSE Health Policy)

Quem é responsável pela catástrofe Brasileira na crise de Covid-19?

Apesar de ter um sistema de saúde relativamente bem colocado para combater a COVID-19, o Brasil tem hoje uma das maiores taxas de mortalidade do mundo. Frequentemente visto como um problema de coordenação entre os diferentes níveis de governo, o verdadeiro problema são as falhas do nível federal que se originaram em uma crise política pré-existente. Este tratamento catastrófico feito de cima para baixo da pandemia neutralizou os pontos fortes e, muitas vezes, os esforços heroicos do sistema nacional de saúde, escrevem Gabriela Lotta (FGV), Michelle Fernandez (Universidade de Brasília), Deisy Ventura (Universidade de São Paulo), Danielle Rached (FGV), Melania Amorim (Universidade Federal de Campina Grande), Lorena Barberia (Universidade de São Paulo), Tatiane Moraes (Fiocruz), e Clare Wenham (LSE Health Policy)

Meta-analysis: hydroxychloroquine therapy approach with or without azithromycin against covid-19

Objective: identify and analyse the evidences about the use of hydroxychloroquine with or without azithromycin in covid-19. Methods: This is a systematic review with meta-analysis using posted articles in December 2019 until May 2020. The research was formulated by a question structured using PICO strategy, in these data bases: BVS, PUBMED, MEDLINE, LILACS, BDENF e SCIELO. Results and discussion: Resulted in 9 articles founded by the PRISMA, approaching 4182 patients. PICO strategy selected and analysed 5 articles projected in Forest plots. Resulting in tree clinical trials (RR: 1.15; IC95%, 0.76 a 1.73), which did not found big differences in the outcome in the groups of patients who used HCQ with or without AZT, comparing with the control group. Two studies analysed the number of deaths/intubations in comparative group, experimental group and control (RR:1.86; IC: 95%, 1.54 a 2.26) resulting in more chance of death /intubation in patients who used HCQ. Conclusion: It was found that is not possible to prove the efficacy of these drugs, due to the limited number of randomized and controlled clinical trials. Therefore, the encourage of scientific production about the HCQ and AZT against Covid-19 is more than necessary

A pandemia da COVID-19 no Brasil: a série de projeções do Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation e a evolução observada, maio – agosto de 2020

Objective: To describe the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation projections for the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and its states, present their accuracy and discuss their implications. Methods: We describe projections from May to August, 2020 for Brazil and selected states, comparing them with the ensuing reported number of cumulative deaths. Results: The pandemic is projected to cause 182,809 deaths by December 1, 2020 in Brazil. An increase in mask use could reduce the projected death toll by ~17,000. The average error in projections of the cumulative number of deaths in 2, 4 and 6 weeks was 13%, 18% and 22%. Conclusion: IHME short, and medium term projections provide important and sufficiently accurate information to inform health planners, elected officials, and society. After presenting a very troublesome course to August, the pandemic is projected to decline steadily and slowly, with ~400 deaths/day still occurring in early December.Objetivo: Descrever as projeções do Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) para a COVID-19 no Brasil e seus estados, apresentar sua acurácia e discutir suas implicações. Métodos: As previsões do IHME de maio a agosto de 2020, para o Brasil e alguns estados, foram comparadas ao número de mortes cumulativas observadas. Resultados: A projeção prevê 182.809 mortes causadas pela pandemia até 1o de dezembro de 2020 no Brasil. O aumento no uso de máscara poderia poupar ~17.000 óbitos. O erro médio no número acumulado de óbitos em duas, quatro e seis semanas das projeções foi de 13%, 18% e 22% respectivamente. Conclusão: Projeções de curto e médio prazo dispõem dados importantes e acurácia suficiente para informar os gestores de saúde, autoridades eleitas e sociedade geral. Após trajeto difícil até agosto, a pandemia, conforme as projeções, terá declínio sustentado, embora demorado, causando em média 400 óbitos/dia no início de dezembro

Pandemia da COVID-19 no Brasil: Projeções do Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation e a Evolução Observada

Objective: To describe IHME projections for the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and its states and discuss their accuracy and implications for different scenarios. Methods: We describe and estimate the accuracy of these predictions for Brazil by comparing them with the ensuing reported cumulative deaths. Results: The pandemic is projected to cause 192,511 deaths by December 1, 2020. Continued relaxation of mandated physical isolation despite rising deaths could cause >63,000 additional deaths, while rapid increase in mask use could reduce the projected death toll by ~25,000. Several states will likely be obliged to reinstitute mandated restrictions.  Differences between IHME projections up to 6 weeks and recorded deaths ranged from -11% to 48% for Brazil. Conclusion: IHME short to medium term projections of deaths provide sufficiently accurate information to inform health planners, elected officials, and society. They suggest a prolonged pandemic course, with major mortality and probable necessity of renewed restrictions.Objetivo: Describir las proyecciones del IHME para COVID-19 en Brasil y sus estados y discutir la precisión y las implicaciones en diferentes escenarios. Métodos: Describimos y estimamos la precisión de las previsiones para Brasil, comparándolos con las muertes acumuladas observadas. Resultados: La proyección predice 192.511 muertes por la pandemia al 1 de diciembre de 2020. La relajación continua del aislamiento físico obligatorio, a pesar del continuo aumento de muertes, puede causar >63.000 muertes adicionales; el rápido aumento en el uso de mascarillas puede reducir el número a ~25.000. Es posible que varios estados deban restablecer las restricciones. Las diferencias entre las proyecciones del IHME hasta las 6 semanas y las muertes registradas oscilaron entre -11% y 48% para Brasil. Conclusiones: Las proyecciones de corto a mediano plazo del IHME brindan información válida para informar a los administradores de salud, oficiales electos y la sociedad. Sugieren un curso prolongado, alta mortalidad y probablemente nuevas restricciones.Objetivo: Descrever as projeções do IHME para a COVID-19 no Brasil e seus estados e discutir acurácia e implicações em diferentes cenários. Métodos: Descrevemos e estimamos a acurácia das previsões para o Brasil, comparando-as com as mortes cumulativas observadas. Resultados: A projeção prevê 192.511 mortes causadas pela pandemia até 1 de dezembro de 2020. O relaxamento continuado do isolamento físico obrigatório, apesar do aumento continuado dos óbitos, pode causar >63.000 mortes adicionais; o rápido aumento no uso de máscara pode reduzir o número para ~25.000. Vários estados poderão ter que reinstituir restrições. As diferenças entre as projeções do IHME até 6 semanas e as mortes registradas variaram de -11% a 48% para o Brasil. Conclusões: As projeções de curto a médio prazo do IHME fornecem informações válidas para informar os gestores de saúde, autoridades eleitas e a sociedade em geral. Elas sugerem curso prolongado, grande mortalidade e prováveis novas restrições

La pandemia de COVID-19 en Brasil : serie de proyecciones del Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation y la evolución observada, desde mayo hasta agosto, 2020

Objetivo: Descrever as projeções do Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) para a COVID-19 no Brasil e seus estados, apresentar sua acurácia e discutir suas implicações. Métodos: As previsões do IHME de maio a agosto de 2020, para o Brasil e alguns estados, foram comparadas ao número de mortes cumulativas observadas. Resultados: A projeção prevê 182.809 mortes causadas pela pandemia até 1º de dezembro de 2020 no Brasil. O aumento no uso de máscara poderia poupar ~17 mil óbitos. O erro médio no número acumulado de óbitos em duas, quatro e seis semanas das projeções foi de 13%, 18% e 22% respectivamente. Conclusão: Projeções de curto e médio prazo dispõem dados importantes e acurácia suficiente para informar os gestores de saúde, autoridades eleitas e sociedade geral. Após trajeto difícil até agosto, a pandemia, conforme as projeções, terá declínio sustentado, embora demorado, causando em média 400 óbitos/dia no início de dezembro.Objective: To describe the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) projections for the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and the Brazilian states, present their accuracy and discuss their implications. Methods: The IHME projections from May to August 2020 for Brazil and selected states were compared with the ensuing reported number of cumulative deaths. Results: The pandemic is projected to cause 182,809 deaths by December 1, 2020 in Brazil. An increase in mask use could reduce the projected death toll by ~17,000. The mean error in the cumulative number of deaths at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after the projections were made was 13%, 18% and 22%, respectively. Conclusion: Short and medium-term projections provide important and sufficiently accurate data to inform health managers, elected officials, and society at large. After following an arduous course up until August, the pandemic is projected to decline steadily although slowly, with ~400 deaths/day still occurring in early December.Objetivo: Describir las proyecciones del Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation para COVID-19 en Brasil y sus estados, presentar su precisión y discutir sus implicaciones. Métodos: Las previsiones del IHME de mayo a agosto de 2020 para Brasil y algunos estados, se compararon con las muertes acumuladas observadas. Resultados: La proyección prevé 182.809 muertes por la pandemia hasta el 1º de diciembre de 2020 en Brasil. Un aumento en el uso de mascarillas podría evitar ~17.000 muertes. El error medio en el número acumulado de muertes en 2, 4 y 6 semanas de las proyecciones fue de 13%, 18% y 22%. Conclusión: Las proyecciones de corto y medio plazo proporcionan datos importantes y con suficiente precisión para informar a los administradores de salud, autoridades electas y a la sociedad. Después de un camino difícil hasta agosto, la pandemia, según las proyecciones, tendrá una disminución sostenida, pero lenta, y seguirá causando alrededor de 400 muertes/día a principios de diciembre

Adequação de protocolos de classificação de risco para COVID-19 às orientações da OMS: uma proposta de instrumento

Objective: This article proposes to create an instrument to analyze the adequacy of risk classification protocols for COVID-19 to the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and analyzes the protocol used by Santa Catarina. Method: The descriptive research was composed of three parts: 1) extraction of information regarding risk analysis and COVID-19 from WHO documents; 2) elaboration of an instrument to analyze the adequacy of risk classification protocols for COVID-19 to the WHO guidelines; 3) application of the instrument to the protocol used in the state of Santa Catarina. Results: Five WHO documents were reviewed. The built instrument included five dimensions: risk assessment itself, exposure assessment, context assessment, risk characterization and reliability. Partial information regarding the risk assessment itself and reliability was found in the Santa Catarina government protocol. No information was found regarding the other dimensions. Discussion: The mismatch between the matrix used by the state of Santa Catarina and the WHO risk analysis guidelines is huge. Thus, without an adequate analysis of these factors, the entire strategy for implementing actions can be compromised, exposing the population of the state to risk.Objetivo: Este artigo propõe criar um instrumento para analisar a adequação de protocolos de classificação de risco para COVID-19 às orientações da Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) e analisa o protocolo utilizado por Santa Catarina. Método: A pesquisa descritiva foi composta de três partes: 1) extração de informações concernentes à análise de risco e à COVID-19 dos documentos da OMS; 2) elaboração de instrumento para análise da adequação de protocolos de classificação de risco para COVID-19 às orientações da OMS; 3) aplicação do instrumento ao protocolo utilizado no estado de Santa Catarina. Resultados: Cinco documentos da OMS foram revistos. O instrumento construído contemplou cinco dimensões: avaliação do risco em si, avaliação da exposição, avaliação do contexto, caracterização do risco e confiabilidade. Informações parciais com relação à avaliação do risco em si e à confiabilidade foram encontradas no protocolo do governo catarinense. Não foram encontradas informações com relação às demais dimensões. Discussão: O desencontro entre a matriz utilizada pelo estado de Santa Catarina e as orientações para análise de risco da OMS são grandes. Assim, sem uma análise adequada desses fatores toda a estratégia de implementação de ações pode ser comprometida, expondo a população do estado a risco

COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil : Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Projections and the ensuing evolution

Objetivo: Descrever as projeções do IHME para a COVID-19 no Brasil e seus estados e discutir acurácia e implicações em diferentes cenários. Métodos: Descrevemos e estimamos a acurácia das previsões para o Brasil, comparando-as com as mortes cumulativas observadas. Resultados: A projeção prevê 192.511 mortes causadas pela pandemia até 1 de dezembro de 2020. O relaxamento continuado do isolamento físico obrigatório, apesar do aumento continuado dos óbitos, pode causar >63.000 mortes adicionais; o rápido aumento no uso de máscara pode reduzir o número para ~25.000. Vários estados poderão ter que reinstituir restrições. As diferenças entre as projeções do IHME até 6 semanas e as mortes registradas variaram de -11% a 48% para o Brasil. Conclusões: As projeções de curto a médio prazo do IHME fornecem informações válidas para informar os gestores de saúde, autoridades eleitas e a sociedade em geral. Elas sugerem curso prolongado, grande mortalidade e prováveis novas restrições.Objective: To describe IHME projections for the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and its states and discuss their accuracy and implications for different scenarios. Methods: We describe and estimate the accuracy of these predictions for Brazil by comparing them with the ensuing reported cumulative deaths. Results: The pandemic is projected to cause 192,511 deaths by December 1, 2020. Continued relaxation of mandated physical isolation despite rising deaths could cause >63,000 additional deaths, while rapid increase in maskuse could reduce the projected death toll by ~25,000. Several states will likely be obliged to reinstitute mandated restrictions. Differences between IHME projections up to 6 weeks and recorded deaths ranged from -11% to 48% for Brazil.Conclusion: IHME short to medium term projections of deaths provide sufficiently accurate information to inform health planners, elected officials, and society. They suggest a prolonged pandemic course, with major mortality and probable necessity of renewed restrictions

Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 328 diseases and injuries for 195 countries, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

As mortality rates decline, life expectancy increases, and populations age, non-fatal outcomes of diseases and injuries are becoming a larger component of the global burden of disease. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2016 (GBD 2016) provides a comprehensive assessment of prevalence, incidence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for 328 causes in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2016

Global, regional, and national disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 333 diseases and injuries and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

BACKGROUND: Measurement of changes in health across locations is useful to compare and contrast changing epidemiological patterns against health system performance and identify specific needs for resource allocation in research, policy development, and programme decision making. Using the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2016, we drew from two widely used summary measures to monitor such changes in population health: disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and healthy life expectancy (HALE). We used these measures to track trends and benchmark progress compared with expected trends on the basis of the Socio-demographic Index (SDI). METHODS: We used results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2016 for all-cause mortality, cause-specific mortality, and non-fatal disease burden to derive HALE and DALYs by sex for 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2016. We calculated DALYs by summing years of life lost and years of life lived with disability for each location, age group, sex, and year. We estimated HALE using age-specific death rates and years of life lived with disability per capita. We explored how DALYs and HALE differed from expected trends when compared with the SDI: the geometric mean of income per person, educational attainment in the population older than age 15 years, and total fertility rate. FINDINGS: The highest globally observed HALE at birth for both women and men was in Singapore, at 75·2 years (95% uncertainty interval 71·9-78·6) for females and 72·0 years (68·8-75·1) for males. The lowest for females was in the Central African Republic (45·6 years [42·0-49·5]) and for males was in Lesotho (41·5 years [39·0-44·0]). From 1990 to 2016, global HALE increased by an average of 6·24 years (5·97-6·48) for both sexes combined. Global HALE increased by 6·04 years (5·74-6·27) for males and 6·49 years (6·08-6·77) for females, whereas HALE at age 65 years increased by 1·78 years (1·61-1·93) for males and 1·96 years (1·69-2·13) for females. Total global DALYs remained largely unchanged from 1990 to 2016 (-2·3% [-5·9 to 0·9]), with decreases in communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional (CMNN) disease DALYs offset by increased DALYs due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The exemplars, calculated as the five lowest ratios of observed to expected age-standardised DALY rates in 2016, were Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Maldives, Peru, and Israel. The leading three causes of DALYs globally were ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and lower respiratory infections, comprising 16·1% of all DALYs. Total DALYs and age-standardised DALY rates due to most CMNN causes decreased from 1990 to 2016. Conversely, the total DALY burden rose for most NCDs; however, age-standardised DALY rates due to NCDs declined globally. INTERPRETATION: At a global level, DALYs and HALE continue to show improvements. At the same time, we observe that many populations are facing growing functional health loss. Rising SDI was associated with increases in cumulative years of life lived with disability and decreases in CMNN DALYs offset by increased NCD DALYs. Relative compression of morbidity highlights the importance of continued health interventions, which has changed in most locations in pace with the gross domestic product per person, education, and family planning. The analysis of DALYs and HALE and their relationship to SDI represents a robust framework with which to benchmark location-specific health performance. Country-specific drivers of disease burden, particularly for causes with higher-than-expected DALYs, should inform health policies, health system improvement initiatives, targeted prevention efforts, and development assistance for health, including financial and research investments for all countries, regardless of their level of sociodemographic development. The presence of countries that substantially outperform others suggests the need for increased scrutiny for proven examples of best practices, which can help to extend gains, whereas the presence of underperforming countries suggests the need for devotion of extra attention to health systems that need more robust support. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation