Prevalência e caracterização da anemia em idosos atendidos pela Estratégia Saúde da Família

Factors Associated with Anemia among Adults and the Elderly Family Farmers

The majority of studies on anemia are focused on children and women of reproductive age. Although the disease is a widespread public health problem, studies that include the rural population are scarce. This study determined the prevalence of anemia and associated factors in adults and the elderly living in the rural area of a municipality in Minas Gerais. Twelve rural communities were included. During home visits, hemoglobin levels were measured using a hemoglobinometer to check for the presence or absence of anemia. Additionally, anthropometric data and food insecurity data based on the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA) were collected. A questionnaire about socioeconomic, demographic, and housing conditions was applied. Analyses were performed using the Stata software version 13.0. Spearman correlation and regression analysis logistics were performed (p < 0.05) on 124 families (n = 297 farmers). The prevalence of anemia was 41.1%, being higher among women (55.7%). Additionally, 40.1% of the farmers were food insecure; 52.7% and 80.5% presented excess weight and cardiovascular risk, respectively. Poverty was a reality for 39.7% of individuals. A positive correlation between hemoglobin levels and per capita income was found as well as a negative correlation with EBIA scores and cardiovascular risk. Multivariate analysis showed that individuals experiencing food insecurity, the elderly, and those who do not own a property, were more likely to be anemic. Farmers with per capita income above 1/2 minimum wage were less likely to have anemia. The prevalence of anemia in the group studied was higher than previous studies. The disease is associated with factors that also predispose to food insecurity. The improvement of the determinants of insecurity can contribute to the fight against anemia.

Evaluation of pentoxifylline and ferrous sulfate for treatment of lower limb venous ulcers

BACKGROUND

Venous ulcers (VU) are the most advanced stage of chronic venous disease (CVD) of the lower limbs. They are frequently associated with episodes of hemorrhage that can provoke chronic anemia (CA), delaying healing. There are no studies in the literature analyzing the prevalence of CA among patients with VU of the lower limbs and few studies have analyzed use of pentoxifylline to treat VU of the lower limbs.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prevalence of CA in patients with lower limb VU and responses to treatment with ferrous sulfate (SF) compared with a combination of SF plus pentoxifylline as adjuvant treatment for VU of the lower limbs.

METHODS

A total of 67 patients with lower limb VU were recruited from a Lymphedema and Angiodysplasia Clinic at the Hospital das Clínicas, Recife, PE, Brazil. After initial clinical and laboratory assessments, patients diagnosed with CA were randomized into one of two groups: a control group, given SF (900 mg/day oral route), or a study group, treated with SF (900 mg/day oral route) and pentoxifylline (1,200 mg/day). All were reassessed after 90 days.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients (40%) had CA. After treatment, increases were observed in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, iron kinetics had improved, and both depth and area of VU had reduced in both groups, without statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of anemia was detected in the study population. The combination of SF and pentoxifylline was not more effective than SF alone for adjuvant treatment of VU of the lower limbs.

Prevalence of anemia in Brazilian adults and elderly

OBJECTIVE

To verify the prevalence of anemia in Brazilian adults and elderly.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study consisted of 8,060 subjects aged over 18 years old in all Brazilian states. We used data from laboratory tests of the Brazilian National Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde - PNS). The following indicators obtained by erythrogram were used: hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and red cell distribution width (RDW). Reference values of the World Health Organization (WHO) were used to determine anemia, which considers hemoglobin levels below 13.0 g/dL for men and less than 12.0 g/dL for women. Sociodemographic information was obtained by interview.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anemia among Brazilian adults and elderly was 9.9%. Higher prevalence of anemia and more severe cases were found among women, elderly, people with low schooling, black skin color and residents of the North and Northeast regions. Normocytic normochromic anemia was the most common type of anemia (56.0%).

CONCLUSION

The anemia prevalence found in the study was in agreement with the literature. It must be stressed that higher anemia prevalence was found in disadvantaged and older population. Considering the increase of the population over 60 years of age, interventions to prevent and treat anemia among adults and elderly is imperative in the health service network.

Perfil clínico, nutricional e sociodemográfico de usuários do Centro Estadual de Atenção Especializada (CEAE) de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais

As doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNT) são doenças multifatoriais que se desenvolvem no decorrer da vida, são de longa duração e são as principais causas de morte no mundo. Para que os portadores de DCNT recebam um atendimento interdisciplinar e integral eficaz, torna-se necessário conhecer o perfil desses. Devido a isso, este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o perfil clínico, nutricional e sociodemográfico de usuários do Centro Estadual de Atenção Especializada (CEAE) em Juiz de Fora, MG. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com 547 usuários atendidos pelo serviço de nutrição, de julho a dezembro de 2014, do CEAE. Utilizou-se o software SPSS (23.0). Calculou-se medidas de frequência percentual e de tendência central. Aplicou-se teste de normalidade Kolmogorov-Smirnov. Para comparação entre sexos, utilizou-se Teste T e teste Mann-Whitney. Utilizou-se o teste Qui-quadrado para avaliação da diferença de risco entre as categorias, quantificadas pelo odds ratio e intervalo de confiança. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa Humana da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (1.384.797). A média de idade foi de 61 ± 14 anos, com maior prevalência de mulheres e indivíduos com baixa escolaridade e baixa renda familiar. O sexo feminino apresentou chance 1,97 vezes maior de excesso de peso (p = 0,01) e chance de 7,88 vezes maior de risco referente à circunferência da cintura aumentada (p < 0,001). Idosos apresentaram uma probabilidade 43% menor de excesso de peso que o adulto. Conclui-se que este estudo, por traçar o perfil de usuários da atenção secundária, contribui para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas voltadas a este público, para que recebam um atendimento holístico com qualidade.

Handgrip strength: An effective screening instrument for anemia in the elderly women

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to discover associations between anemia and functional performance indicators, and to identify the best functional performance test to screen for anemia in the elderly.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 109 elderly residents in the community. For statistical analysis, the Logistic Regression and the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anemia in the elderly was 13.9%. There was an inverse association between handgrip strength (HGS) and anemia in women; the HGS test was an effective screening tool for anemia in the elderly.

CONCLUSION

The HGS test can be used to screen for anemia in the elderly women.