Prevalência de sinais e sintomas, fatores sociodemográficos associados e atitude frente aos sintomas em um centro urbano no Sul do Brasil

Certainty of the Global Burden of Disease 2019 Modelled Prevalence Estimates for Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Meta-Epidemiological Study

Objectives: To describe and assess the risk of bias of the primary input studies that underpinned the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019 modelled prevalence estimates of low back pain (LBP), neck pain (NP), and knee osteoarthritis (OA), from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Spain, and Switzerland. To evaluate the certainty of the GBD modelled prevalence evidence. Methods: Primary studies were identified using the GBD Data Input Sources Tool and their risk of bias was assessed using a validated tool. We rated the certainty of modelled prevalence estimates based on the GRADE Guidelines 30-the GRADE approach for modelled evidence. Results: Seventy-two primary studies (LBP: 67, NP: 2, knee OA: 3) underpinned the GBD estimates. Most studies had limited representativeness of their study populations, used suboptimal case definitions and applied assessment instruments with unknown psychometric properties. The certainty of modelled prevalence estimates was low, mainly due to risk of bias and indirectness. Conclusion: Beyond the risk of bias of primary input studies for LBP, NP, and knee OA in GBD 2019, the certainty of country-specific modelled prevalence estimates still have room for improvement.

Prevalence of constipation among central region population, Riyadh and Qassim provinces, Saudi Arabia, 2018-2019

Background

Due to the lack of data and studies concerning the prevalence of constipation in Saudi Arabia, this study aimed at determining the level of prevalence among central region population in Saudi Arabia, specifically in Riyadh and Qassim provinces.

Aims

To determine the prevalence of constipation, to estimate the overall prevalence of constipation among the society, and to identify risk factors of constipation.

Materials and Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 543 individuals were covered, both males and females in the targeted areas. A standardized questionnaire was used to cover eight different aspects concerning constipation. SPSS package was used to analyze the data collected from the sample.

Results

The results of the scoring system showed that the prevalence of constipation among the sampled individuals is only 4.4%, whereas those whose result indicates no suffering from constipation represented 95.6%. Constipation is more prevalent among females (79.2%) rather than males (20.8%). Moreover, constipation is more sever among those who are between 20- and 35-year old, while it reaches 0% among old people (over 51 years). Riyadh residents are more likely to suffer from constipation rather than Qassim residents. In Riyadh, 83.3% suffered from constipation, whereas the percentage in Qassim was 16.7%. The results show also that constipation is more prevalent among those who eat fiber-rich food once in a week, who are getting stressed all the time, nonsmokers, and who get dehydrated and do not carry a bottle of water. There is a significant relationship between suffering from constipation and only two variables, which are regularity of being stressed and regularity of getting dehydrated. The test value for these two variables were (0.0) in the two cases.

Conclusion

The prevalence of constipation is relatively very low among population of central region in Saudi Arabia.

Systematic review of pathways to mental health care in Brazil: narrative synthesis of quantitative and qualitative studies

BACKGROUND

Pathways to care are actions and strategies employed by individuals in order to get help for health-related distress and the related processes of care providers. On several systematic reviews regarding pathways to mental health care (PMHC), studies regarding South American countries were not present. This review synthesizes qualitative and quantitative research about PMHC in Brazil.

METHODS

LILACS, MEDLINE and SCIELO databases were searched for papers regarding PMHC in Brazil. The results were organized in pathway stages, based on Goldberg and Huxley's 'model of Levels and Filters' and on Kleinman's framework of 'Popular, Folk and Professional health sectors'. Analysis also considered the changes in national mental health policy over time.

RESULTS

25 papers were found, with data ranging from 1989 to 2013. Complex social networks were involved in the initial recognition of MH issues. The preferred points of first contact also varied with the nature and severity of problems. A high proportion of patients is treated in specialized services, including mild cases. There is limited capacity of primary care professionals to identify and treat MH problems, with some improvement from collaborative care in the more recent years. The model for crisis management and acute care remains unclear: scarce evidence was found over the different arrangements used, mostly stressing lack of integration between emergency, hospital and community services and fragile continuity of care.

CONCLUSIONS

The performance of primary care and the regulation of acute demands, especially crisis management, are the most critical aspects on PMHC. Although primary care performance seems to be improving, the balanced provision and integration between services for adequate acute and long-term care is yet to be achieved.

Systematic review: dietary fibre and FODMAP-restricted diet in the management of constipation and irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

Dietary fibre supplements have been advocated for the management of chronic constipation (CC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Recently, a fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide and polyol (FODMAP) restricted diet has been recommended for IBS.

AIM

To systematically examine recent evidence for dietary interventions with fibre in CC and IBS and FODMAP-restricted diet in IBS, and provide recommendations.

METHODS

We searched PUBMED, MEDLINE, OVID and COCHRANE databases from 2004 to 2014. Published studies in adults with CC and IBS and constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C) that compared fibre with placebo/alternative and FODMAP-restricted diet with alternative were included.

RESULTS

Of 550 potentially eligible clinical trials on fibre, 11 studies were found and of 23 potentially eligible studies on FODMAPs, six were found. A meta-analysis was not performed due to heterogeneity and methodological quality. Fibre was beneficial in 5/7 studies in CC and 3/3 studies in IBS-C. FODMAP-restricted diet improved overall IBS symptoms in 4/4 and IBS-C symptoms in 1/3 studies and three studies did not meet inclusion criteria. There were significant disparities in subject selection, interventions and outcome assessments in both fibre and FODMAPs studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Fibre supplementation is beneficial in mild to moderate CC and IBS-C, although larger, more rigorous and long-term RCTs are needed (Fair evidence-Level II, Grade B). Although the FODMAP-restricted diet may be effective in short-term management of selected patients with IBS (Fair evidence-Level II, Grade C) and IBS-C (Poor evidence-Level III, Grade C), more rigorous trials are needed to establish long-term efficacy and safety, particularly on colonic health and microbiome.

Prevalence of constipation in the general adult population: an integrative review

Constipation affects multiple aspects of a person's health, including health-related quality of life. It is one of the most frequently reported functional gastrointestinal disorders. The purpose of this integrative review of the literature was to identify research findings pertaining to the prevalence of constipation and factors are associated with constipation in the general population. Electronic databases were searched for articles published between 2005 and 2011. All retrieved studies were evaluated with respect to quality according to the guidelines for critical appraisal of health research literature on prevalence and incidence. Eleven studies were retrieved; they reveal a prevalence of constipation that varied from 2.6% to 26.9%. The most frequently cited associated factors were female gender and advanced age, which were cited in 11 and 7 of the studies, respectively. Prevalence rates reported by the selected studies were heterogeneous. This may be partially attributed to variability in methods used to measure prevalence, including differences in criteria for constipation.

[The prevalence of morbidity and symptoms among the elderly: a comparative study between rural and urban areas]

A cross-sectional study was conducted with the elderly population in rural and urban areas characterized by the prevalence of morbidity and symptoms, and 229 elderly people were interviewed. The average age was 72.3, of which 57.2% lived in the rural zone and 56.3% were female. The morbidities most reported were insomnia (37.7%), anxiety (32.1%), depression (26.7%), and in the rural zone it was diabetes (13.3%). In this zone, Alzheimer's disease was more prevalent among the elderly who handled pesticides (21.7%). The most prevalent symptoms among urban zone residents were: cough/runny nose and sight alterations (41.2%), allergy/itching (11.4%). In the rural zone, dry mouth (25.4%), sight alterations (35.6%) and leg pain (66.1%) were also more prevalent among those who used pesticides. The inadequate use of Individual Protection Equipment was 85.4%, and 45.1% also disposed of pesticide packaging inappropriately. The setting up of public health programs is necessary to promote health among the elderly and the potential exposure to pesticides for this population should be seen as a health risk determinant.

[Delay in seeking initial care for tuberculosis diagnosis]

Descriptive study, which aimed to analyze the time between the perception of TB symptoms onset and the first search for health services, according to TB patient characteristics in São José do Rio Preto - SP. 97 TB patients in treatment were interviewed with a structured instrument. The delay was identified by the median time between the perception of TB symptom's onset and the patients demand for care (> 15 days). To identify the variables related to delay the prevalence ratio were calculated. There was a delay seeking care among: male patients, aged 18 to 29 and 50 to 59 years, lower education and higher family income, pulmonary cases without HIV co-infection, presenting milder symptoms, users of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, those who did not perform preventive health control, and who sought health services closer to home. The recognition of users' profiles in the search for care is paramount for defining strategies that favor the use of services in a timely manner.

[Self-medication among university students: the influence of the field of study]

The scope of this paper was to investigate the influence of a university student's field of study upon self-medication. A cross-sectional study was conducted through the administration of questionnaires on the profile of the respondents, self-medication and other healthcare-related issues. In all, 342 students from different fields of study were interviewed, 81 of which were from the health area. Of the respondents, 37% reported self-medicating in the last fortnight. The most common health problems for self-medication in this period were general pain (90.4%) and analgesics and antipyretics were the most common form of medication. It was observed that being female (p=0.049), as well as the fact of having health insurance (p=0.036), were significantly associated with self-medication and that studying in the health area was not associated with self-medication (0.139). However, it was found that the influence of advertising (p<0.001), old prescriptions (p=0.041), pharmacists or pharmacy employees (p=0.005), as well as friends, neighbors and relatives (p=0.003) were more significant among university students who were not within the health area, though the influence of acquired knowledge (p<0.001) is more significant among students in the health area.

Prevalence of, and risk factors for, chronic idiopathic constipation in the community: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder in the community, yet no previous systematic review and meta-analysis has estimated the global prevalence, or potential risk factors for the condition.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and EMBASE Classic were searched (up to December 2010) to identify population-based studies reporting the prevalence of CIC in adults (≥15 years), according to self-report, questionnaire, or specific symptom-based criteria. The prevalence of CIC was extracted for all studies, and according to country, age, gender, socioeconomic status, and presence or absence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) where reported. Pooled prevalence overall, and according to study location and certain other characteristics, as well as odds ratios (ORs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

Of the 100 papers evaluated, 45 reported the prevalence of CIC in 41 separate study populations, containing 261,040 subjects. Pooled prevalence of CIC in all studies was 14% (95% CI: 12-17%). The prevalence of CIC was lower in South East Asian studies, and in studies using the Rome II or III criteria. The prevalence of CIC was higher in women (OR: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.87-2.62), and increased with age and lower socioeconomic status. The prevalence was markedly higher in subjects who also reported IBS (OR: 7.98; 95% CI: 4.58-13.92), suggesting common pathogenic mechanisms.

CONCLUSIONS

Pooled prevalence of CIC in the community was 14%, and of similar magnitude in most geographical regions. Rates were higher in women, older individuals, and those of lower socioeconomic status. Presence of IBS was strongly associated with CIC.

Depressão e qualidade de vida em jovens de 18 a 24 anos no sul do Brasil

OBJETIVO: Investigar a associação entre depressão e qualidade de vida em jovens de 18 a 24 anos de idade. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal de base populacional, composto por 1.560 jovens de 18 a 24 anos residentes na zona urbana de Pelotas (RS). A seleção amostral foi realizada por conglomerados: da divisão censitária de 448 setores, 97 foram sorteados aleatoriamente. A avaliação da depressão foi realizada através do Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), e a qualidade de vida foi mensurada pela Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form General Health Survey (SF-36), ambos validados para uso em língua portuguesa. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de depressão foi de 12,6%. A média dos escores de qualidade de vida entre os oito domínios do SF-36 foi menor entre os jovens com depressão, apresentando associação significativa no teste t para todos os domínios (p = 0,000). CONCLUSÃO: Jovens com indicativo de depressão apresentaram menores níveis de qualidade de vida nos domínios explorados.

Self-rated health among adults in Southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To analyze factors associated with self-rated health in adults.

METHODS

A population-based, cross-sectional study was performed with a sample of 2,051 adults aged between 20 and 59 years, in the city of Lages, Southern Brazil, in 2007. Household questionnaires were applied to obtain data on self-rated health, socioeconomic and demographic conditions, smoking habit, lifestyle and self-reported morbidities. Blood pressure, weight, height and abdominal circumference were measured. multivariable analysis was performed using Poisson regression, adjusted for the sampling design effect and stratified by sex.

RESULTS

Prevalence of positive self-rated health was 74.2% (95% CI: 71.3;77.0), significantly higher in men (82.3%, 95%CI: 79.3;85.0) than in women (66.9%, 95%CI: 63.2;70.7). Poorer, less educated and older men showed higher prevalences of negative self-rated health. After adjustment, high blood pressure levels and reporting chest wheezing were strongly associated with negative self-rated health in men. Prevalence of negative self-assessment was higher in poorer, less educated and older women and in those who showed abdominal obesity. High blood pressure levels, diabetes, chest wheezing and shortness of breath remained associated with the outcome after adjustment in women. The number of morbidities self-reported by women and men showed an association with negative self-rated health.

CONCLUSIONS

Women and individuals who were older, poorer or less educated considered their health condition to be fair or poor. The higher the number of self-reported morbidities, the greater the proportion of individuals with negative self-rated health; the effect of morbidities was greater in women.