scholarly journals Haff disease in the pandemic COVID-19 period in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. e358101422175
Author(s):  
Gabriella de Almeida Campos ◽  
Sabrina Jurema da Rocha Dantas ◽  
Emanuel Guilherme de Almeida Carvalho ◽  
Rafael Vinicius de Almeida Tabosa ◽  
Elvys Blayne Sales de Souza ◽  
...  

Objective: This study describes and characterize the cases of Haff disease reported in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Descriptive and cross-sectional study using public data from the National Center for Strategic Information and Response in Health Surveillance nacional. The Risk Communication number 17 of 09/15/2021 was accessed. The description of suspected cases was extended to all Brazilian states where notifications occurred, from January 1, 2020, to September 15, 2021. There was an increase in cases of Haff's disease in Brazil, from 2020 onwards, with 46 in the Northeast region of Brazil. Eighty-five cases and three deaths were reported between January and September 2021 in the North, Northeast, South and Midwest regions. Most cases occurred in regions of greater heat such as the coastal region of the Northeast and around regions of the Amazon River Basin. A critical period for coping with the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic in Brazil, cases of disease of Haff could be reported in various regions of country. Despite the etiological suspicions, studies, and follow-up of the cases, it is still not possible to affirm that the disease is caused by biomolecules of the Palytoxin-Like Toxins group. The possible identification of the responsible toxin(s) will be essential for a complete understanding of the etiopathogenic mechanism of the disease and adequate development of prevention, treatment, and cure measures.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257643
Author(s):  
Claudia Cristina de Aguiar Pereira ◽  
Mônica Martins ◽  
Sheyla Maria Lemos Lima ◽  
Carla Lourenço Tavares de Andrade ◽  
Fernando Ramalho Gameleira Soares ◽  
...  

Objective To analyze the geographical variation in the provision of health services, namely in demand, patterns of utilization, and effectiveness in the Brazilian Health Regions in four different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, from February 2020 to March 2021. Methods Descriptive serial cross-sectional study based on secondary data on COVID-19 hospitalizations from SIVEP-Gripe, a public and open-access database of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness records collected by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and COVID-19 case notification data from Brasil.io, a repository of public data. Fifty-six epidemiological weeks were split into four periods. The following variables were considered for each Brazilian Health Region, per period: number of hospitalizations, hospitalizations per 100,000 inhabitants, hospitalizations per 100 new cases notified in the Health Region, percentage of hospitalizations with ICU use, percentages of hospitalizations with invasive and non-invasive ventilatory support, percentage of hospitalizations resulting in death and percentage of hospitalizations with ICU use resulting in death. Descriptive statistics of the variables were obtained across all 450 Health Regions in Brazil over the four defined pandemic periods. Maps were generated to capture the spatiotemporal variation and trends during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Results There was great variation in how COVID-19 hospitalizations grew and spread among Health Regions, with higher numbers between June and August 2020, and, especially, from mid-December 2020 to March 2021. The variation pattern in the proportion of ICU use in the hospitalizations across the Health Regions was broad, with no intensive care provision in large areas in the North, Northeast, and Midwest. The proportions of hospitalizations and hospitalizations with ICU use resulting in deaths were remarkably high, reaching medians of 34.0% and 62.0% across Health Regions, respectively. Conclusion The Heath Regions in Brazil are highly diverse, showing broad disparities in the capacity to respond to the demands imposed by COVID-19, services provided, use and outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
Md Zakaria Sarkar ◽  
AHM Ferdows Nur ◽  
Utpal Kumar Dutta ◽  
Muhammad Rafiqul Islam ◽  
Debabrota Roy ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate hearing outcome after stapedotomy in patients with Otosclerosis. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out from July 2017 to January 2019 in National Institute of ENT, Unit V. About 22 patients with Otosclerosis were included in this study. Diagnosis of Otosclerosis was based on the history, medical status with Otoscopy, Tuning fork tests and Audiometric tests. We compiled data on the pre and post operative air-bone gap (ABG) at 0.5, 1, 2 KHZ. The ABG was Calculated using AC and BC thresholds on the same audiogram. Post operative hearing gain was then Calculated from the ABG before the operation minus the ABG of the last follow up examination Results: In this study most of the cases were age group 14-30 years (72.7%), female (54.5%). Most common symptoms was progressive hearing loss, tinnitus (77.8%).The average preoperative hearing loss in this study was (AC) was 48.31±7.68. The average post opt. hearing (AC) at follow up was 28.95±10.30 with an average hearing gain of 15.40±8.53 dB which was significant. The average pre-operative ABG was 28.99 dB ± 8.10. The average post opt. ABG was analyzed at 1 follow up showed ABG 13.18±8.09 dB which was found to be significant. Conclusion: Stapedotomy is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of otosclerosis which leads to improvement in patient’s quality of life. A favorable hearing outcome can be obtained by the combination of experienced hands with minimal surgical trauma and appropriate surgical technique. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol; April 2020; 26(1): 31-36


2011 ◽  
pp. 122-129
Author(s):  
Quang Di Bui ◽  
Phuoc Lam Nguyen

Objectives: The aim of study is to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and adverse effects of a standard triple therapy including Rabeprazole, Clarithromycin and Amoxicilline at Sai gon Hoan My hospital in order to consider treatment H.pylori for patients who have not yet eradicated before or need to be undertaked by alternative regimens. Methods: By descriptive cross-sectional study, the authors have examined 116 patients sufferring from peptic ulcer received 10-day therapy including Rabe (20mg b.d) plus Clari(500mg b.d) plus Amoxi(1g b.d). Eradication is confirmed with endoscopy after 4 weeks from completing of treatment. Results and Discussion: 100% of patients were initially included and noboby was dropped out of the follow-up satges. The mean age was 49 in which 62% was male, 73(62,9%) presented duodenal ulcer, 28(24,1%) gastric ulcer and 15(13%) simultaneous gastric and duodenal ulcers. All patients took medications correctly. Per-protocol and intention to treat eradication rates were both 75%(95% CI=73,4-78,3). Additionally, 62(53,4%) patients had at least one risky factor for peptic ulcer disease, smoking being the most common one 44(37,9%).The adverse effects were reported overall in 67% of the patients, mainly including changed taste, very bitter, tired 49%, trouble sleeping 12% and diarrhea 5%. Conclusion: this ten-day standard triple therapy used in this study is ineffective with high adverse effects.The first line eradication with new regimens should be alternative.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Aliyu ◽  
Babatunde Adelekan ◽  
Nifarta Andrew ◽  
Eunice Ekong ◽  
Stephen Dapiap ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Expanded access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) leads to improved HIV/AIDS treatment outcomes in Nigeria, however, increasing rates of loss to follow-up among those on ART is threatening optimal standard achievement. Therefore, this retrospective cross-sectional study is aimed at identifying correlates and predictors of loss to follow-up in patients commencing ART in a large HIV program in Nigeria. Methods Records of all patients from 432 US CDC Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) supported facilities across 10 States and FCT who started ART from 2004 to 2017 were used for this study. Bivariate and multivariate analysis of the demographic and clinical parameters of all patients was conducted using STATA version 14 to determine correlates and predictors of loss to follow-up. Results Within the review period, 245,257 patients were ever enrolled on anti-retroviral therapy. 150,191 (61.2%) remained on treatment, 10,960 (4.5%) were transferred out to other facilities, 6926 (2.8%) died, 2139 (0.9%) self-terminated treatment and 75,041 (30.6%) had a loss to follow-up event captured. Males (OR: 1.16), Non-pregnant female (OR: 4.55), Patients on ≥ 3-monthly ARV refills (OR: 1.32), Patients with un-suppressed viral loads on ART (OR: 4.52), patients on adult 2nd line regimen (OR: 1.23) or pediatric on 1st line regimen (OR: 1.70) were significantly more likely to be lost to follow-up. Conclusion Despite increasing access to anti-retroviral therapy, loss to follow-up is still a challenge in the HIV program in Nigeria. Differentiated care approaches that will focus on males, non-pregnant females and paediatrics is encouraged. Reducing months of Anti-retroviral drug refill to less than 3 months is advocated for increased patient adherence.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mugove G. Madziyire ◽  
Thulani L. Magwali ◽  
Vasco Chikwasha ◽  
Tinovimba Mhlanga

Abstract Background Infertility affects 48.5 million couples globally. It is defined clinically as failure to conceive after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. The contribution of various aetiological factors to infertility differs per population. The causes of infertility have not been assessed in Zimbabwe. Our objectives were to determine the reproductive characteristics, causes and outcomes of women presenting for infertility care. Methods A retrospective and prospective study of women who had not conceived within a year of having unprotected intercourse presenting in private and public facilities in Harare was done. A diagnosis was made based on the history, examination and results whenever these were deemed sufficient. Data was analysed using STATA SE/15. A total of 216 women were recruited. Results Of the 216 women recruited, two thirds (144) of them had primary infertility. The overall period of infertility ranged from 1 to 21 years with an average of 5.6 ± 4.7 years whilst 98 (45.4%) of the couples had experienced 2–4 years of infertility and 94 (43.5%) had experience 5 or more years of infertility. About 1 in 5 of the women had irregular menstrual cycles with 10 of them having experienced amenorrhoea of at least 1 year. Almost half of the participants (49%) were overweight or obese. The most common cause for infertility was ‘unexplained’ in 22% of the women followed by tubal blockage in 20%, male factor in 19% and anovulation in 16%. Of the 49 (22.7%) women who conceived 21(9.7%) had a live birth while 23 (10.7%) had an ongoing pregnancy at the end of follow up. Thirty-seven (17.1%) had Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) in the form of Invitro-fertilisation/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (IVF/ICSI) or Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI). Assisted Reproduction was significantly associated with conception. Conclusion Most women present when chances of natural spontaneous conception are considerably reduced. This study shows an almost equal contribution between tubal blockage, male factor and unexplained infertility. Almost half of the causes are female factors constituted by tubal blockage, anovulation and a mixture of the two. Improved access to ART will result in improved pregnancy rates. Programs should target comprehensive assessment of both partners and offer ART.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 616
Author(s):  
Avril Beirne ◽  
Kevin McCarroll ◽  
James Bernard Walsh ◽  
Miriam Casey ◽  
Eamon Laird ◽  
...  

The health effects of vitamin D are well documented, with increasing evidence of its roles beyond bone. There is, however, little evidence of the effects of vitamin D on hospitalisation among older adults. This study aimed to prospectively determine the relationship of vitamin D status in older adults with hospital admission and emergency department (ED) attendance. Trinity University of Ulster Department of Agriculture (TUDA) is a large cross-sectional study of older adults with a community population from three disease-defined cohorts (cognitive dysfunction, hypertension, and osteoporosis). Participants included in this analysis were recruited between 2008 and 2012. ED and hospital admission data were gathered from the date of TUDA participation until June 2013, with a mean follow up of 3.6 years. Of the 3093 participants, 1577 (50.9%) attended the ED during the period of follow-up. Attendees had lower mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations than non-attendees (59.1 vs. 70.6 nmol/L). Fully adjusted models showed an inverse association between vitamin D and ED attendance (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.996; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.995–0.998; p < 0.001). A total of 1269 participants (41%) were admitted to hospital during the follow-up. Those admitted had lower mean vitamin D concentrations (58.4 vs. 69.3 nmol/L, p < 0.001). In fully adjusted models, higher vitamin D was inversely associated with hospital admission (HR 0.996; 95% CI 0.994–0.998; p < 0.001) and length of stay (LOS) (β = −0.95, p = 0.006). This study showed independent prospective associations between vitamin D deficiency and increased hospitalisation by older adults. The need for further evaluation of current recommendations in relation to vitamin D supplementation, with consideration beyond bone health, is warranted and should focus on randomised controlled trials.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Müller ◽  
Charlotte Kreutz ◽  
Steffen Ringhof ◽  
Maximilian Koeppel ◽  
Nikolaus Kleindienst ◽  
...  

AbstractImpaired postural control is often observed in response to neurotoxic chemotherapy. However, potential explanatory factors other than chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) have not been adequately considered to date due to primarily cross-sectional study designs. Our objective was to comprehensively analyze postural control during and after neurotoxic chemotherapy, and to identify potential CIPN-independent predictors for its impairment. Postural control and CIPN symptoms (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20) were longitudinally assessed before, during and three weeks after neurotoxic chemotherapy, and in three and six months follow-up examinations (N = 54). The influence of peripheral nerve function as determined by nerve conduction studies (NCS: compound motor action potentials (CMAP) and sensory action potentials (SNAP)), physical activity, and muscle strength on the change in postural control during and after chemotherapy was analyzed by multiple linear regression adjusted for age and body mass index. Postural control, CIPN signs/symptoms, and CMAP/SNAP amplitudes significantly deteriorated during chemotherapy (p < .01). During follow-up, patients recovered from postural instabilities (p < .01), whereas CIPN signs/symptoms and pathologic NCS findings persisted compared to baseline (p < .001). The regression model showed that low CMAP and high SNAP amplitudes at baseline predicted impairment of postural control during but not after chemotherapy. Hence, pre-therapeutically disturbed somatosensory inputs may induce adaptive processes that have compensatory effects and allow recovery of postural control while CIPN signs/symptoms and pathologic peripheral nerve function persist. Baseline NCS findings in cancer patients who receive neurotoxic chemotherapy thus might assist in delineating individual CIPN risk profiles more precisely to which specific exercise intervention programs could be tailor-made.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
B L O Luizeti ◽  
E M M Massuda ◽  
L F G Garcia

Abstract In view of the national scenario of scarcity of material and human resources in public health in Brazil, the survey verified the demographics of doctors who attend the Unified Health System (SUS) in municipalities of extreme poverty. An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out, based on secondary quantitative data from the Department of Informatics of the SUS using the TABNET of December 2019. The care networks variable was restricted to infer the number of physicians who attend the SUS in extreme poverty municipalities in Brazil. Municipalities of extreme poverty are those that at least 20% of the population have a household income of up to 145 reais per capita monthly. In Brazil, there are 1526 municipalities in extreme poverty, 27.4% of the country's total municipalities. 14,907 doctors linked to SUS work in this condition, 3.19% of the total of these professionals in Brazil. There is still disproportion between regions: North concentrates 11.2% of the municipalities in extreme poverty and 8.61% of the total number of doctors; Northeast, with 61.33% of these municipalities, for 61.5% of doctors; Southeast, with 15.46% of the municipalities in this condition, has 20.6% of doctors; South concentrates 10.87% of the municipalities under discussion with 5.61% of doctors and the Midwest, with 4.87% of these municipalities, has 3.54% of doctors. Between 2009 and 2018, there was a 39% increase in the number of doctors in these locations, however, for 2019, there was a decrease of 3.89%. The medical demographic distribution in Brazil is uneven, especially in the North. There is also the vulnerability of this population in view of the observed reduction in the number of professionals between 2018 and 2019 in municipalities of extreme poverty, for political reasons. It is evident the need to restructure the health system to guarantee access to health for this population, through the attraction and fixation of doctors in needy regions in Brazil. Key messages Shortage of doctors in extreme poverty municipalities reinforces the health vulnerability of the population in Brazil. The uneven medical demography in Brazil requires restructuring in the public health system.


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