Anamnese, exame clínico e exames complementares como testes diagnósticos

The main tools that a physician uses for medical diagnosis are clinical history and clinical examination. Hampton et al. in 1970 showed in 80 English outpatients that clinical history was responsible by 82.5% of medical diagnosis, clinical examination for more 8.75%, and other tests for more 8.75%. Study done in HCFMUSP showed that clinical history was responsible for 40.4% of medical diagnosis, clinical examination for more 29.4% e other tests for more 29.5%. A laboratory test or image procedure always brings information about sensitivity and specificity of the method. However, it not common to teach the sensitivity or specificity of information obtained at clinical history or clinical examination. Results from a diagnostic test compared to a gold-standard permit the contruction of a 2 x 2 table with four possible interpretations of the results: (1) true positive, when test is positive in the presence of disease; (2) false-positive when it is positive in the absence of disease; (3) true negative when test is negative in the absence of disease; false-negative, when test is negative in the presence of disease. Based on these possibilities it is possible to calculate sensititivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios. Interpretation of the information collected as part of clinical history or examination as diagnostic tests refine their role in the clinical investigation and final diagnosis. Health costs are finite and limited to the public budget, and even in a tertiary care facility there are restrictions to the execution of these tests caused by an imbalance among demand and the capacity to perform the tests. The use of this type of tool permit the use of the tests in patients with the greatest necessity of them, and the main consequence is a better management of the health system as a whole.As principais ferramentas de que o médico dispõe para fazer o diagnóstico do paciente são anamnese e exame clínico. Hampton et al. em 1970 mostrou, em 80 pacientes ambulatoriais na Inglaterra que a anamnese isolada era responsável por 82,5% dos diagnósticos, exame clínico por mais 8,75% e exames complementares por mais 8,75%. Estudo realizado no HCFMUSP mostrou que a anamnese era responsável por 40,4% dos diagnósticos, exame clínico por mais 29,4% e exames complementares por mais 29,5%. O exame de laboratório ou de imagem, sempre traz informação sobre a sensibilidade e a especificidade do método; mas não se costuma ensinar a sensibilidade e a especificidade de dados de anamnese ou de manobras do exame clínico. Os resultados de um teste diagnóstico quando comparados a um padrão-ouro permitem a construção de uma table 2 x 2 com quatro possíveis interpretações dos resultados: (1) verdadeiro-positivo, quando positivo na presença da doença; (2) falso-positivo, se o teste revelar-se positivo em paciente sem doença; (3) verdadeiro-negativo, se o teste é negativo e o indivíduo não tem doença; (4) falso-negativo, se o teste é negativo na presença de doença. A partir desses dados pode-se calcular a sensibilidade, a especificidade, o valor preditivo positivo e negativo e as razões de verossimilhança positiva e negativa. A interpretação das informações coletadas na anamnese e no exame clínico como testes diagnósticos refina seu papel na investigação clínica em relação ao diagnóstico final. Os gastos com saúde são finitos e limitados ao orçamento público, e mesmo em um hospital terciário há restrições à realização desses exames causada pelo desbalanço entre demanda e capacidade de realização dos exames. A utilização desse tipo de ferramenta permite priorizar os pacientes que mais precisarão do exame complementar, e como consequência, leva a um melhor gerenciamento do sistema de saúde como um todo

Luz solar e suicídio no trópico de Capricórnio, São Paulo, Brasil, 1996-2004

Estudos epidemiológicos têm confirmado que as taxas de suicídio apresentam variação sazonal relacionada às horas de insolação. O padrão de suicídios foi analisado na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil, no trópico de Capricórnio, de 1996 a 2004. A regressão de Poisson foi utilizada para estimar padrões de sazonalidade, bem como verificar a associação dia-a-dia entre duração da insolação e suicídio. Durante os nove anos houve 3.984 suicídios (76,9% homens; mediana de idade=38,7 anos). As médias de suicídio por estação do ano e por mês de suicídio foram similares. Segundo a regressão de Poisson, não houve associação entre insolação e suicídio (p=0,45) para ambos os sexos. Conclui-se que não houve padrão sazonal de suicídios na cidade de São Paulo.Several studies have confirmed seasonal variation in suicide rates according to hours of sunshine. The suicide pattern was assessed in São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, at the tropic of Capricorn from 1996 to 2004. Poisson regression was employed to estimate parameters of seasonality, as well as to verify associations for each day between daylight duration and suicide. During the nine-year study period, there were 3,984 suicides (76.9% in men; median age=38.7 years old). Seasonal averages of suicides were similar, as were monthly averages. Poisson regression did not reveal any association between suicide rates and hours of sunshine (p=0.45) for both sexes. In conclusion, no seasonal pattern was observed for suicides

Resultados de oito aplicações do Teste do Progresso na Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo

BACKGROUND: Progress testing is a longitudinal tool for evaluating knowledge gains during the medical school years. OBJECTIVES: (1) To implement progress testing as a form of routine evaluation; (2) to verify whether cognitive gain is a continuous variable or not; and (3) to evaluate whether there is loss of knowledge relating to basic sciences in the final years of medical school. METHODS: A progress test was applied twice a year to all students from 2001 to 2004. The mean percentage score was calculated for each school year, employing ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni test evaluation for each test. RESULTS: Progress testing was implemented as a routine procedure over these 4 years. The results suggest a cognitive gain from first to sixth year in all eight tests, as a continuum (P for trend < .0001). Gain was found to be continuous for basic sciences (taught during the first 2 years), clinical sciences (P < .0001), and clerkship rotation (P < .0001). There was no difference between the performance of men and women. CONCLUSION: Progress testing was implemented as a routine, applied twice a year. Data suggest that cognitive gain during medical training appears to be a continuum, even for basic science issues.O Teste do Progresso foi introduzido na Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo em 2001. OBJETIVO: (1) Testar a viabilidade da aplicação rotineira do teste; (2) verificar se o ganho de conhecimentos era progressivo e contínuo durante a graduação; (3) determinar se esse ganho de conhecimento inclui também as disciplinas do curso básico. MÉTODOS: O teste foi aplicado duas vezes por ano entre 2001-2004. Em cada teste, calculou-se o escore médio de acertos por ano letivo usando-se ANOVA com correção de Bonferroni para múltiplas comparações. RESULTADOS: O Teste do Progresso foi implementado como rotina entre 2001-2004. Os resultados sugerem um ganho cognitivo contínuo e progressivo ao longo da graduação (P < 0,0001) nos oito testes aplicados até o momento. Esse ganho seria significativo mesmo para as disciplinas do curso básico (P < 0,05), curso clínico (P < 0.0001) e internato (P < 0.0001). Não houve diferença de performance em função do gênero. CONCLUSÃO: O Teste do Progresso foi implementado como rotina, sendo aplicado semestralmente. Os resultados sugerem que o ganho cognitivo parece ser contínuo e progressivo mesmo para as disciplinas do básico ao longo dos seis anos

Prevalência de doenças da tireóide em idosos: resultados do São Paulo Ageing & Health Study

This study aimed to estimate prevalence of thyroid disorders in the São Paulo Ageing & Health Study, an epidemiological study addressing several health-adverse outcomes among elderly people living in a poor area of São Paulo, Brazil. All participants answered a questionnaire and had a blood sample collected to assess levels of tireotropic hormone and free-thyroxine. Among 1,373 people (60.8% women), prevalence rates (95% confidence interval) for thyroid dysfunction (%) were: overt hyperthyroidism, 0.7% (0.2-1.1)[women: 0.8% (0.2-1.5); men: 0.4% (0.01-0.9)]; overt hypothyroidism, 5.7% (4.5-6.9) [women: 5.9% (4.3-7.5); men: 5.4% (3.5-7.3)]; subclinical hyperthyroidism, 2.4% (1.6-3.2) [women: 2.8% (1.6-3.9); men: 1.9% (0.7-3.0)]; and subclinical hypothyroidism, 6.5% (5.2-7.8) [women: 6.7% (5.0-8.4); men: 6.1% (4.1-8.2)]. There was no difference in prevalence rates according to gender, but almost 40% of women were diagnosed and under treatment compared to 9% of men. The burden of thyroid disorders in this sample is high and most participants were not aware of them.O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar a prevalência de doenças da tireóide no São Paulo Ageing & Health Study, estudo epidemiológico focado em desfechos de saúde adversos em amostra de idosos moradores de São Paulo, Brasil. Todos os participantes responderam a questionário e colheram sangue para dosagem de hormônio tireotrópico e tiroxina-livre. Entre os 1.373 participantes (60,8% mulheres), a prevalência (intervalo de 95% de confiança) de hipertireoidismo clínico foi de 0,7% (0.2-1,1) [mulheres: 0,8% (0,2-1,5); homens: 0,4% (0,01-0,9)]; hipotireoidismo clínico, 5,7% (4,5-6,9) [mulheres: 5,9% (4,3-7,5); homens: 5,4% (3,5-7,3)]; hipertireoidismo subclínico, 2,4% (1,6-3,2) [mulheres: 2,8% (1,6-3,9); homens: 1,9% (0,7-3,0)]; e hipotireoidismo subclínico, 6,5% (5,2-7,8) [mulheres: 6,7% (5,0-8,4); homens: 6,1% (4,1-8,2)]. Não houve diferença na prevalência de doenças da tireóide por sexo. Quarenta por cento das mulheres tinham diagnóstico e estavam tratando, comparadas a 9% dos homens. A prevalência de disfunção tireoidiana foi elevada e a maioria dos participantes desconhecia o diagnóstico.(FAPESP) São Paulo Research Foundatio

Taxas de suicídio e tendências em São Paulo, Brasil, de acordo com gênero, faixa etária e aspectos demográficos

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate suicide rates and trends in São Paulo by sex, age-strata, and methods. METHODS: Data was collected from State registry from 1996 to 2009. Population was estimated using the National Census. We utilized joinpoint regression analysis to explore temporal trends. We also evaluated marital status, ethnicity, birthplace and methods for suicide. RESULTS: In the period analyzed, 6,002 suicides were accrued with a rate of 4.6 per 100,000 (7.5 in men and 2.0 in women); the male-to-female ratio was around 3.7. Trends for men presented a significant decline of 5.3% per year from 1996 to 2002, and a significant increase of 2.5% from 2002 onwards. Women did not present significant changes. For men, the elderly (> 65 years) had a significant reduction of 2.3% per year, while younger men (25-44 years) presented a significant increase of 8.6% from 2004 onwards. Women did not present significant trend changes according to age. Leading suicide methods were hanging and poisoning for men and women, respectively. Other analyses showed an increased suicide risk ratio for singles and foreigners. CONCLUSIONS: Specific epidemiological trends for suicide in the city of São Paulo that warrant further investigation were identified. High-risk groups - such as immigrants - could benefit from targeted strategies of suicide prevention

The association of diabetes, subclinical hypothyroidism and carotid intima-media thickness: results from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brazil)

Introduction: The association of diabetes with subclinical thyroid diseases may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. We analyzed the association of subclinical hypothyroidism, diabetes, and both diseases with carotid Intima-Media Thickness (cIMT) as a surrogate maker for early cardiovascular disease in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Methods: Cross-sectional analysis with data from the 3rd visit (2017‒2019). Linear regression models were used to evaluate the association of subclinical hypothyroidism, diabetes and of both diseases with a cIMT presented as Beta (95% Confidence Interval ‒ 95% CI) without adjustment, with adjustment for sociodemographic variables (Model 1) and multivariable adjustment (Model 1 more cardiovascular risk factors). We also used logistic regression models to analyze the Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% CI for the association of both diseases using cIMT &gt; P75%. Results: After the exclusion of patients with previous cardiovascular disease, 5,077 participants with no diseases, 1578 with diabetes, 662 with subclinical hypothyroidism, and 234 with both diseases were included in the analysis. Linear regression models showed an association of cIMT with only diabetes (β&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.019; 95% CI 0.012 to 0.027; p &lt; 0.0001) and subclinical hypothyroidism more diabetes (β&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.03; 95% CI 0.010‒0.047, p &lt; 0.0001). The logistic regression model reported an association between diabetes and CIMT higher than P75% (OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;1.49, 95% CI 1.30‒1.71). No interaction between diabetes and subclinical hypothyroidism was detected using cIMT respectively as a continuous (p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.29) or as a categorical variable (p&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.92). Discussion: Diabetes was associated with higher cIMT values. However, no additive effect of subclinical hypothyroidism associated with diabetes over cIMT was detected

Negative life events and migraine: a cross-sectional analysis of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) baseline data

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud Stress is a typical migraine trigger. However, the impact of negative life events on migraine activity is poorly studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between negative life events and migraine using data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) baseline assessment.\ud \ud \ud Methods\ud ELSA-Brasil is a multicenter cohort study conducted in six Brazilian cities. Baseline assessment included validated questionnaires for headache classification and the occurrence of five pre-specified negative life events (financial hardship, hospitalization other than for childbirth, death of a close relative, robbery and end of a love relationship), focusing on a 12-month period before evaluation. We built crude and adjusted logistic regression models to study the association between the occurrences of negative life events and migraine diagnosis and activity.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud We included 4,409 individuals with migraine and 4,457 participants without headache (reference). After adjustment for age, sex, race, income and educational level, we found that the occurrence of a negative life event (Odds ratio = 1.31; 95% confidence interval = 1.19 – 1.45) was associated with migraine. However, after stratifying with subgroup analyses, only financial hardship (Odds ratio = 1.65; 95% confidence interval = 1.47 – 1.87) and hospitalization (Odds ratio = 1.47; 95% confidence interval = 1.25 – 1.72) were independently associated with migraine. Further adjustment for a current major depression episode and report of religious activity did not significantly change the results. Considering migraine frequency as (a) less than once per month, (b) once per month to once per week, or (c) more than once per week, financial hardship and hospitalization remained significantly associated with migraine in all episode frequency strata, with higher odds ratios for higher frequencies in adjusted models. We also observed a significant association between the death of a close relative and the highest migraine frequency stratum (Odds ratio = 1.38; 95% confidence interval = 1.09 – 1.75) in full-adjusted model.\ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud The occurrence of financial hardship and hospitalization had a direct and independent association with migraine diagnosis and frequency. The death of a close relative was also independently associated with the highest migraine frequency stratum.Brazilian Ministry of Health (Science and Technology Department)Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology (Financiadora de Estudos e\ud Projetos and CNPq National Research Council) (grants 01 06 0010.00 RS, 0106 0212.00 BA, 01 06 0300.00 ES, 01 06 0278.00 MG, 01 06 0115.00 SP, 01 060071.00 RJ

Valor preditivo da medida da cintura e da relação cintura-quadril no diagnóstico do diabetes melito e da dislipidemia

Purpose: Obesity rates are increasing in Brazil. Waist measurement (WM) is a good measure to evaluatelocalized obesity and it is easier to perform when compared to wait-hip-ratio (WHR). However the effects of regionalobesity were better described between WHR and cardiovascular risk factors. Aim: to test whether waist measurement alone is better than WHR to predict diabetes and high cholesterol. Methods: We analyzed positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR)of WM and WHR in a sample of 202 apparently healthy men and women aged 20-74 years as a predictive factor for diabetes and dislipidemia. Results: (1) For women, WHR was a better predictive factor for diabetes(LHR+ = 2,5 e LHR- = 0,2) and dislipidemia (LHR+ = 2,5, LHR- = 0,2) diagnosis than WM (diabetes, LHR+ = 1,9 eLHR- = 0,4; dislipidemia, LHR+ = 1,6 e LHR- = 0,6); (2) For men, WM was a better predictive factor for diabetes (LHR+ = 2,4e LHR- = 0,6) and dislipidemia (LHR+ = 5 e LHR- = 0,5) than for WHR (diabetes, LHR+ = 1,0 e LHR- = 0,9;dislipidemia, LHR+ = 2,1 e LHR- = 0,7 diagnosis. Conclusion: WM and WHR have different behaviors in men and women.Introdução: O índice de obesidade está aumentando no Brasil.A medida da cintura (MC) é uma boa medida para a avaliação da obesidade localizada e é mais fácil de ser adquirida do que a relação cintura quadril (RCQ). Entretanto, os efeitos da obesidade regional foram melhores descritos entre a RCQ e fatores de risco cardiovasculares. Objetivo: testar se a medida da cintura isolada é melhor do que a RCQ para predizer diabetes e dislipidemia. Métodos: analisamos a razão de verossimilhança positiva e negativa da MC e RCQ numa amostra de 202 homens e mulheres com idade variando de 20 a 74 anos e aparentemente saudáveis como fator preditivo para diabetes e dislipidemia. Resultados: (1) Para mulheres, a RCQ foi melhor fator preditivo para o diagnostico dediabetes (RV+ = 2,5 e RV- = 0,2) e dislipidemia (RV+2,5 e RV-=0,2) comparado a MC (diabetes, RV+ = 1,9 e RV- = 0,4; dislipidemia, RV+ = 1,6 e RV- = 0,6); (2) Para homens, a MC foi melhor fator preditivo para o diagnostico de diabetes (RV+ = 2,4 e RV- = 0,6) e dislipidemia (RV+ = 5 e RV- = 0,5) do que a RCQ (diabetes, RV+ = 1,0 e RV- = 0,9; dislipidemia, RV+ = 2,1 e RV- = 0,7). Conclusão: A MC e a RCQ se comportam diferentes entre homens e mulheres