Clinical-Epidemiological Characteristics and Mortality in Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 1980 at 2018

Purpose

To analyze the clinical-epidemiological characteristics and mortality in patients with sickle-cell anemia (SCA).

Patients and Methods

A cohort study with retrospective data, conducted in two reference hospitals for SCA treatment from January 1980 to December 2018, recorded in two reference services. With a 5% significance level, the Chi-Square and Student’s t-tests were employed in the inferential statistical analysis.

Results

A total of 128 patients with SCA were studied. Diagnosis up to the fifth day of life was made in 10 patients. There were 19 deaths, of which 12 (63.2%) were female, and the average age at death was 27.05 (± 14.78) years. The leading causes of death were septic shock and cardiogenic shock. The use of invasive medical devices was considered a risk factor for death (RR=2.63; 95% CI=1.16–5.96; p=0.018), and monitoring time up to 20 years presented a 31% reduction in the risk of dying (RR=0.31; 95% CI=0.12–0.82; p=0.011) when compared to the monitoring of more than 20 years.

Conclusion

These findings are to be considered in the treatment of patients with SCA, mainly regarding early diagnosis and access to the treatment immediately afterward, since they are fundamental in improving survival and reducing severe complications.

Fatores de risco para mortalidade em pacientes com doença falciforme: uma revisão integrativa

RESUMO Objetivo Sumarizar fatores de risco e indicadores de mortalidade em pacientes com doença falciforme. Método Revisão integrativa em periódicos indexados nas bases de dados CINAHL, PubMed/MEDLINE, Science Direct/SCOPUS, SciELO e Web of Science. A questão norteadora foi elaborada por meio da estratégia Population, variable, outcome (PVO). A busca ocorreu no portal de periódicos da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior entre outubro e novembro de 2018. Resultados Dos 19 artigos, 18 eram coorte e um ensaio clínico randomizado. A amostra foi constituída, em sua maioria, pelo sexo feminino e genótipo HbSS. Se repetiram mais a taxa de mortalidade cumulativa e a curva de mortalidade global. Sete estudos identificaram fatores de risco com associação estatisticamente significativa para morte. Os mais frequentes foram o baixo nível de hemoglobina, variáveis hepáticas (enzimas fosfatase alcalina e transaminase glutâmico oxalacética) e cardiovasculares (velocidade de regurgitação da válvula tricúspide ≥ 2,5m/s). Conclusão e implicações para a prática Indicadores de mortalidade constituem ferramentas de manejo de pacientes com doença falciforme e prevenção de riscos e complicações. Há necessidade de estudos sobre os fatores relacionados à mortalidade desses pacientes. A prevenção do óbito, certamente, promoverá uma melhoria na qualidade de vida e na sobrevida dessa população.

Prevalência da doença falciforme em adultos com diagnóstico tardio

Resumo Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência da doença falciforme em adultos com diagnóstico tardio, em tratamento nos ambulatórios de hematologia na rede de saúde do Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul de 2013 a 2017; descrever as características sociodemográficas; verificar associações entre os genótipos em relação a idade atual, os genótipos e a idade ao diagnóstico. Métodos: Estudo transversal, retrospectivo, com dados coletados em dois hospitais de ensino. As variáveis investigadas foram: ano do atendimento, genótipo, sexo, data de nascimento, idade ao diagnóstico, naturalidade e procedência. A prevalência foi estimada por ponto (%) e intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados: A prevalência foi 3,9%, com 103 adultos com doença falciforme, sendo 60 do sexo feminino e 43 do masculino. Predominou o genótipo HbSS, seguido pelo HbSC. A mediana de idade foi de 35 para os HbSS e 31 para os HbSC. A mediana de idade ao diagnóstico foi cinco anos para os HbSS e 21 para HbSC. Não houve associação entre idade (anos) dos pacientes e genótipo (teste Qui-quadrado p=0,601) e nem entre genótipo e faixa etária (teste Qui-quadrado p= 0,318). Conclusão: O genótipo mais frequente foi o HbSS, seguido pelo HbSC. O diagnóstico dos pacientes com SC foi mais tardio do que naqueles com genótipo SS. As variáveis sociodemográficas e o diagnóstico tardio alertam para a necessidade de fortalecimento de ações na rede de saúde, que interferem sensivelmente na morbimortalidade de adultos com Doença Falciforme.

Chronological Factors of the Process of Donation and Classification of Corneal Tissue

INTRODUCTION

The quality of corneal tissue is influenced by several factors inherent to the recipient, donor, donation process, and transplantation that may primarily or secondarily interfere in the survival of a corneal graft.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to identify the factors inherent to the donation process, specifically related to the harvesting and processing of tissue and to the donor, that may interfere with the quality of corneal tissue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study carried out from January to April 2015 at the Onofre Lopes University Hospital, Natal/RN, Brazil. A survey of the keratoplasties performed between the years 2010 and 2014 was carried out, totaling 258 donated corneas.

RESULTS

The mean age of donors was 42.08 years, ranging from 2-80 years. As for quality, 64.45% of the corneas were classified as good, 23.05% as regular, 11.33% as poor, and 1.17% as excellent. The mean time between death and preservation was approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes, and the mean time elapsed until use was 10 days after immersion in preservation medium.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Factors inherent in the donation process that may interfere with the quality of the corneal graft correspond to factors of a chronological nature: donor age and time elapsed between death and preservation of the graft.

Epidemiologic Profile of Patients Transplanted With Hematopoietic Stem Cells in a Reference Service in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

BACKGROUND

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) consists of the intravenous infusion of healthy hematopoietic stem cells to restore the medullary and immunologic function of patients affected by a series of hematologic, oncologic, immunologic, malignant and nonmalignant inherited or acquired diseases, with the possibility of cure or increase of disease-free survival.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the epidemiologic profile and the cases of death of patients who underwent HSCT.

METHODS

This is a cohort quantitative study, nested with a retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study of a hospital-based cohort that included the patients who underwent HSCT at a referral service in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, a region of northeastern Brazil.

RESULTS

There was a slight male prevalence (52.94%), the age of the patients ranged from 2 to 73 years old, 18.38% were brown, 47.06% were married, 15.07% were students, 78.31% had a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, 93.38% developed gastrointestinal toxicities, all patients received chemotherapeutic treatment, 54.78% had allogeneic HSCT, and the cause of the most recorded deaths was septic shock (48.19%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed relevant scientific evidence on the clinical and epidemiologic profile of patients who underwent HSCT. In general, sociodemographic data are similar to national and international research results.

Factors associated with quality of life of people with chronic complex wounds / Fatores associados à qualidade de vida de pessoas com feridas complexas crônicas

Objetivo: Analisar a qualidade de vida de pessoas com feridas complexas crônicas. Métodos: Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário contendo o instrumento WHOQOL-Bref da Organização Mundial de Saúde e questões sobre variáveis sociodemográficos e clínicas. Para análise estatística foram utilizados os métodos: Correlação Linear de Pearson; Análise de Variância e Tukey com confiabilidade de 95% e p<0,05. Resultados: Foram avaliados 53 pacientes com feridas complexas. Desses, 28 (52,83%) são do sexo feminino com média de idade de 62,17 anos e com baixa escolaridade. Na avaliação da qualidade de vida a dor se correlacionou com o domínio físico (p=0,030) e psicológico (p=0,051); enquanto que a área se correlacionou com a idade (p=0,051) e a dor se correlacionou com o tempo de lesão (p=0,001). Conclusão: Conhecer as características clínicas e a qualidade de vida possibilita melhor compreensão das queixas e melhor planejamento assistencial contribuindo para melhoria da qualidade de vida.

Clinical and Hematological Evaluation of Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia Before and After Four Years of Using Hydroxyurea

Objective: Evaluating clinical and hematological-clinical parameters of patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) before and after four years of using hydroxyurea (HU).  Method: A retrospective cohort study implementing a quantitative, descriptive and analytical approach developed in two public teaching hospitals located in the Central-West region of Brazil, from November 2010 to October 2011. Data collection was performed through medical records of 32 patients with SCA to assess clinical and hematological parameters before and after HU treatment. The study was approved by the UFMS Ethics Committee under protocol number 1890/2010. Results: All of the 32 patients were homozygous with a mean age in the prescription of hydroxyurea of 19.72±7.58 years, an initial dose of 15.59±4.27 mg/kg/day, and 22.48±5.35 mg/kg/day in the fourth year of treatment. Regarding the use of HU, average values of some hematological parameters presented a significant difference in the fourth year compared to the mean values prior to HU use, such as fetal hemoglobin (14.49±7.52%), red blood cells (2.54±0.38x1012/L), hematocrit (25.30±4.03%) and hemoglobin (9.22±3.34g/dL).  Conclusion: Treatment with hydroxyurea showed a significant increase in fetal hemoglobin levels, increased hemoglobin, hematocrit and average corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, with reduced episodes of pain, infection and acute chest syndrome in such a way as to reaffirm its efficiency in treating these patients. Keywords: Hemoglobin; Sickle Cell Anemia; Hydroxyurea.

Factors Associated With Subjective Well-Being In Adults With Hemophilia

Objectives: To evaluate the positively and negatively factors associated with the subjective well-being of adults with hemophilia from two associations of patients. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey, carried out with convenience sampling in two patient associations. Data collection took place in November and December of 2015. The evaluation protocol consisted of the application of two instruments: Hemophilia Well-Being Index and a collection form of sociodemographic and clinical data. Results: Fifty-three adults with hemophilia, and male, participated in the study. Their age ranged from 21 to 54 years old. It was observed a higher prevalence of participants with single marital status and third education level. The age and marital status of the participants did not influence their well-being. Conclusion: The high level of education was positively associated with the well-being of the participants, related to the item “economic situation.”  Keywords: Hemophilia A; Hemophilia B; Adult; Subjective Well-Being Scale.

Survival and mortality among users and non-users of hydroxyurea with sickle cell disease

OBJECTIVE

to estimate survival, mortality and cause of death among users or not of hydroxyurea with sickle cell disease.

METHOD

cohort study with retrospective data collection, from 1980 to 2010 of patients receiving inpatient treatment in two Brazilian public hospitals. The survival probability was determined using the Kaplan-Meier estimator, survival calculations (SPSS version 10.0), comparison between survival curves, using the log rank method. The level of significance was p=0.05.

RESULTS

of 63 patients, 87% had sickle cell anemia, with 39 using hydroxyurea, with a mean time of use of the drug of 20.0±10.0 years and a mean dose of 17.37±5.4 to 20.94±7.2 mg/kg/day, raising the fetal hemoglobin. In the comparison between those using hydroxyurea and those not, the survival curve was greater among the users (p=0.014). A total of 10 deaths occurred, with a mean age of 28.1 years old, and with Acute Respiratory Failure as the main cause.

CONCLUSION

the survival curve is greater among the users of hydroxyurea. The results indicate the importance of the nurse incorporating therapeutic advances of hydroxyurea in her care actions.

Scope and efficiency of the newborn screening program in identifying hemoglobin S

Background

In 2001, the Brazilian Ministry of Health added hemoglobinopathies to the National Neonatal Screening Program to be implemented in three steps. In order to meet the proposed goals, it is crucial to establish periodic assessments of this program with the aim of monitoring its implementation.

Objective

To assess the scope and the efficiency of the stages of the National Newborn Screening Program in identifying hemoglobin S.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was developed with the results of the heel prick test using the high performance liquid chromatography method for babies born in Mato Grosso do Sul from 2006 to 2010. The following variables were investigated: year, number of live births, total screening, coverage ratio, prevalence, time between the child birth and the blood collection; age at diagnosis; age at the time of the first consultation; and time between the diagnosis and the first appointment.

Results

Over the five years of the study, the mean coverage rate was 91.77%. The prevalences of hemoglobin FAS and hemoglobin FS were 1.65% and 0.011%, respectively. Blood samples from 43.48% of children were collected from the second to the seventh day. The age at diagnosis was within the first 28 days in 87.80% of the screened children. The lowest mean indices for the first consultation and the time between the diagnosis and the first appointment (58.8 and 46.4 days, respectively) occurred in 2010.

Conclusions

The scope of the National Neonatal Screening Program for hemoglobinopathies is good, with a large number of individuals being tested. Efficiency is a suitable indicator to assess the program steps. Three points are recommended: the training of the individuals involved, studies to assess the assistance provided to the affected child, and genetic counseling to the mothers.

© 2014 Associação Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular. All rights reserved.

Profile of the obese patients submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass whithout diabetes melittus type 2 remission and/or insufficient weight loss

BACKGROUND

The literature reports that gastrojejunal derivation with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is highly efficient in controlling weight and resolving; but studies have shown worsened glycemic control in a considerable number of patients and associated factors that have not been fully elucidated.

AIM

To analyze the profile of patients submitted to gastric bypass that did not achieve satisfactory weight loss or complete diabetes remission.

METHODS

Case-control study of 32 patients submitted to gastric bypass with at least two years postoperative time, unsatisfactory results in terms of weight loss or absence of complete diabetes remission. The control group was composed of another 32 patients submitted to the same operation at the same facility, matched for age and postoperative time. A structured questionnaire was applied and clinical and laboratory data were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the cases and controls, BMI was 38.9 kg/m² and 29.5 kg/m2, excess weight loss was 56.1% and 77.2%, % excess weight regain of initial excess weight loss, was 20.2% and 7.7%, respectively. Family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and food intolerance showed a significant relationship between cases and controls.

CONCLUSION

Food intolerance and family history of hypertension and diabetes were associated to lower loss and weight regain or less likelihood of complete diabetes remission after gastric bypass.

[Insufficient loss of weight and/or absence of DM2 remission after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: factors that may influence the unsatisfactory results]

BACKGROUND

Roux-en-Y gastric by-pass is considered one of the most effective treatments for maintaining long-term weight loss. However, it is associated to failures manifested by the inability to maintain weight loss, weight gain or poor glycemic control.

OBJECTIVE

Study the possible factors that influence weight loss failure and/or DM2 remission.

METHODS

Case-control study of 159 patients submitted to gastric by-pass two or more years postoperatively. Twenty-four individuals with unsatisfactory weight loss and/or DM2 remission were selected as cases and 24 with satisfactory weight loss and/or absence of DM2 remission as controls, matched for age and postoperative time.

RESULTS

Of the 24 cases and controls evaluated, the percentage weight gain was 19.32% and 8.68%, percentage DM2 remission 26.6% and 87.5% and percentage DM2 recurrence 6.6% and 0.0%, respectively. Cases and controls exhibited mean maximum preoperative BMI of 53.50±12.24 kg/m2 and 48.77±5.19 kg/m2, respectively. These values were statistically significant in terms of poor weight management or failed surgery.

CONCLUSION

Patients with elevated initial maximum BMI (≥ 50kg/m2) displayed higher weight loss failure rates. Food intolerance and socioeconomic differences are considered factors in weight gain.

The burden and quality of life of caregivers of sickle cell anemia patients taking hydroxyurea versus those not taking hydroxyurea

OBJECTIVE

To assess the burden and quality of life of caregivers of patients with sickle cell anemia taking hydroxyurea versus those of patients not taking hydroxyurea.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed of caregivers of outpatients with sickle cell anemia in two public hospitals in Campo Grande, MS, from January through June 2010. The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Scale and the Caregiver Burden Scale were used.

RESULTS

Of the 37 caregivers in this study, 81.1% were women, 73.0% were mothers, 59.5% were married, 54.1%were mulattos, 48.6% were housewives, 54.1% had family incomes of up to one minimum wage and 75.7% had onlycompleted elementary education. The mean duration of care provided (time after diagnosis) was 16.08 ± 9.88 yearsand 89.2% reported that they provided 24-hour care. Regarding health, 27.0% of study participants reported having physical and 13.5% emotional problems. There were no significant relationships between these variables either with the different domains or the total score of the WHOQOL-BREF comparing caregivers of patients taking hydroxyurea versusthose of patients not taking hydroxyurea. There was a moderate negative linear correlation between the WHOQOL-BREF and the Caregiver Burden Scale scores (linear correlation test of Pearson: p-value = 0.003, r = -0.477). The burden of caregivers of patients who did not take hydroxyurea was significantly higher than those of patients who took the medication in terms of general tension, disappointment, environment and total score (student t-test: p-value < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In the perception of the caregiver, looking after sickle cell anemia patients represents a moderate negative burden.

O contexto da formação dos agentes comunitários de saúde no Brasil

Este estudo objetivou conhecer e descrever o processo histórico da formação dos agentes comunitários de saúde à luz de análises de textos documentais relativos à formação técnica em saúde. Pesquisa documental realizada em documentos normativos, instrumentais existentes nos registros gerenciais e administrativos no Departamento de Atenção Básica, com levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados Medline e LILACS de publicações norteadores da política de formação no período de 1986 a 2006 e leitura com análise temática. Atendendo às demandas políticas e econômicas, o agente comunitário de saúde tornou-se profissão em 2002. Teve funções ampliadas e, em 2006, havia mais de 200 mil profissionais no país, atuando sob nova regulamentação com a promulgação da Lei Nº 11.350, que revogou a lei anterior. Concluindo, esse profissional tornou-se um importante elemento na promoção de mudanças no modelo assistencial e fortalecimento da atenção básica.

Investigação bibliográfica sobre a hemoglobina S de 1976 a 2007

OBJETIVO: Buscar na literatura aspectos epidemiológicos explorados sobre a hemoglobina S. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados Medline e Lilacs. Também foi feita uma busca não eletrônica, em publicações de 1976 a 2007. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que, dos 21 artigos selecionados, 7 (33,3%) foram publicados entre 1976 e 2000, 10 (47,7%) entre 2001 e 2004 e 4 (19%) entre 2005 e 2007. Com relação aos descritores, três referências (14%), são da área da enfermagem, descrevem o quadro clínico e a fisiopatologia, sendo que uma delas sistematiza a assistência à clientela com anemia falciforme à luz do referencial de adaptação de Roy; 11 (52%) destacaram estudos epidemiológicos e a distribuição mundial; e sete (34%) contemplaram diagnóstico médico, triagem neonatal e programas voltados à população falcêmica no Brasil. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados apontam a necessidade de investigação nessa área pelos profissionais de saúde, principalmente os da área da enfermagem, em relação aos cuidados de prevenção, promoção e reabilitação dos pacientes falcêmicos.

[Characterization of tuberculosis among HIV/AIDS patients at a referral center in Mato Grosso do Sul]

Tuberculosis was investigated regarding its clinical presentation, treatment outcome and sociodemographic profile among HIV patients attended at a referral center in Mato Grosso do Sul, in 2003-2005. Sixty-six medical files on patients over 14 years of age and data from the Brazilian National Information System for Notifiable Diseases relating to tuberculosis and from the Mortality Information System were analyzed. Most of the patients were male, white, of low schooling level and from urban areas. Increased extrapulmonary clinical presentation was found and it correlated with the degree of immunological competence. The main reasons for ceasing treatment were cure (reached after longer-than-expected follow-up) and death (of six patients at the beginning of the tuberculosis treatment). Information gaps were found in the tuberculosis notification records and medical files. The study revealed the need for early diagnosis of tuberculosis among HIV-positive patients, improvements in medical records and follow-up beyond the recommended duration, because of changes to the clinical evolution of tuberculosis in cases of comorbidity with HIV.

Obesidade em pacientes candidatos a cirurgia bariátrica

OBJETIVO: Estudar a obesidade grau III ou grave, identificando o perfil demográfico, clínico e as doenças de maior ocorrência, em pacientes atendidos na consulta de enfermagem, candidatos a cirurgia bariátrica do Núcleo do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, com análise dos registros em 252 prontuários dos pacientes atendidos no Programa de Cirurgia Bariátrica do Núcleo do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, entre 2004 a 2007. RESULTADOS: A prevalência crescente de sobrepeso e obesidade está associada a doenças crônicas relacionadas à dieta (comorbidades). Dos 252 pacientes atendidos 80,15% eram do sexo feminino; a média da idade foi de 36,07±10,16 anos; quanto à etnia 86,53% eram brancos, 8,57% pardos e 4,90% negros; houve predomínio das comorbidades: hipertensão arterial (63,49%), dispnéia (55,56%), varizes de membros inferiores (45,63%) e depressão (36,51%). CONCLUSÃO: observa-se que a doença de maior ocorrência na obesidade é a hipertensão arterial, devendo o paciente ser acompanhado por uma equipe multidisciplinar.

[Situation of endemic pemphigus foliaceus in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, 1990-1999]

307 cases were examined to characterize epidemiological aspects of endemic pemphigus foliaceus. The disease was predominantly identified in rural workers between 10 and 42 years old. Incidence was higher in the December, January, February, March and May (average: 30.7 cases/year). Our findings identified a corridor, coinciding with the state watershed.

Assistência de enfermagem a portadores de anemia falciforme, à luz do referencial de Roy

O presente estudo busca aplicar os conceitos do modelo de Adaptação de Roy para identificar os comportamentos (adaptativos e inefetivos) de pacientes portadores de anemia falciforme, bem como os estímulos focais, contextuais e residuais responsáveis por tais comportamentos. A coleta de dados foi realizada no Ambulatório de Hemoglobinopatias do HCFMRP-USP. Foram sujeitos 9 pacientes (8 mulheres e 1 homem). Evidenciou-se, no modo fisiológico, o comportamento inefetivo de baixa oxigenação e suas conseqüências (desenvolvimento físico comprometido, retardo sexual, icterícia por hemólise, alterações respiratórias). No modo psicossocial, o autoconceito teve a diminuição da auto-estima como o comportamento mais destacado; o desempenho de papel foi caracterizado por mudanças de ocupação; quanto à interdependência, a mãe foi referida como o outro significante mais freqüente. Identificou-se, predominantemente, como estímulo causador dos comportamentos inefetivos, a vaso-oclusão. Verificou-se que a função fisiológica afetada altera os outros modos adaptativos.

[Nursing care for patients with sickle cell disease, in the light of Roy's model]

This study aimed at applying the concepts from Roy's Adaptation Model in order to identify the behaviors (adaptive and ineffective) of patients with sickle cell disease as well as the focal, contextual and residual stimuli that are responsible for such behaviors. Data collection was conducted in the Hemoglobinopathy Outpatient Unit of the University Hospital at the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine. Nine subjects (8 females and 1 male) were investigated. With respect to the physiological aspect, the ineffective behavior of low oxygenation and its outcomes (compromised physical development, sexual retardation hemolysis jaundice, respiratory alterations) were evidenced. Regarding the psychosocial aspects, self-image showed a reduction in self-esteem as the most distinguished behavior; role performance was characterized by occupation change. Considering interdependence, the mother was reported as the most frequent significant "other". Vaso-occlusion was predominantly identified as the causing stimulus for ineffective behaviors. It was verified that the affected physiological function alters other adaptive aspects.