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OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between quality of life, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression in medical students and the university teaching method: traditional method versus active methodology. METHODS: Four questionnaires were administered to volunteer students (n=361) enrolled in two institutions that employ active (Universidade Tiradentes) or traditional (Faculdade de Medicina do ABC) teaching methodology: socioeconomic level; brief quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref); perceived stress scale (PSS10); and depression and anxiety scale (hospital anxiety and depression scale). RESULTS: Of the students who responded to the questionnaires (226 UNIT and 135 FMABC), 70% were female and 67% were White. The majority did not use medication for depression (90%), anxiety (81%), and stress management (91%). Regarding anxiety, it was found: absence in the traditional method and moderate anxiety in the active methodology (26% UNIT×13% FMABC) (p<0.001). Regarding quality of life, it was found to be better quality of life in the environment domain at FMABC (78.12%) versus 71.88% at the UNIT (p<0.001). There was no difference between the institutions in relation to depression and perceived stress, and in quality of lifethere was only a difference in the environmental domain (p<0.001). In relation to gender, stress was higher in females (93.7%) than males (79.6%) with p<0.001. CONCLUSION: Differences were recorded between the groups regarding anxiety, with a predominance in UNIT students (active methodology), and no differences were recorded in relation to depression, perceived stress, and quality of life in all domains, except for the environment domain, which was higher in the traditional methodology, although about one-third of participants used medication for anxiety/depression.
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Ansiedade , Depressão , Saúde Mental , Qualidade de Vida , Estresse Psicológico , Estudantes de Medicina , Humanos , Feminino , Masculino , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Inquéritos e Questionários , Estresse Psicológico/psicologia , Adulto Jovem , Adulto , Brasil , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Estudos Transversais , EnsinoRESUMO
Infection and clinical cases of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum in cats have been increasingly reported in several countries, including Brazil. In this study, we used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an immunochromatographic test (ICT) based on a recombinant antigen (rKDDR-plus) to detect anti-Leishmania antibodies in cats from an animal shelter in northeastern Brazil. We compared the results with an ELISA using L. infantum crude antigen (ELISA-CA). We also investigated the presence of Leishmania DNA in blood or ocular conjunctival samples as well as the association between Leishmania PCR positivity and serological positivity to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and Toxoplasma gondii. Concerning serological assays, a higher positivity was detected using the ICT-rKDDR-plus (7.5%; 7/93) as compared to ELISA-rKDDR-plus (5.4%; 5/93) and ELISA-CA (4.3%; 4/93). Upon PCR testing, 52.7% (49/93) of the ocular conjunctival swabs and 48.3% (44/91) of the blood samples were positive. Together, PCR and serological testing revealed overall positivities of 73.1% (68/93) and 12.9% (12/93), respectively. Among PCR-positive samples, 45.5% (31/68) showed co-infection with FIV, 17.6% (12/68) with FeLV, and 82.3% (56/68) with T. gondii. More than half of the PCR-positive cats showed at least one clinical sign suggestive of leishmaniasis (58.8%; 40/68) and dermatological signs were the most frequent ones (45.5%; 31/68). Both tests employing the recombinant antigen rKDDR-plus (i.e., ICT-rKDDR-plus and ELISA-rKDDR-plus) detected more positive cats than the ELISA-CA but presented low overall accuracy. PCR testing using either blood or ocular conjunctival samples detected much more positive cats than serological tests.
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Doenças do Gato , Coinfecção , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Vírus da Imunodeficiência Felina , Leishmania infantum , Vírus da Leucemia Felina , Proteínas Recombinantes , Gatos , Animais , Doenças do Gato/diagnóstico , Doenças do Gato/parasitologia , Doenças do Gato/virologia , Doenças do Gato/sangue , Doenças do Gato/epidemiologia , Brasil/epidemiologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática/veterinária , Vírus da Imunodeficiência Felina/isolamento & purificação , Coinfecção/veterinária , Coinfecção/parasitologia , Coinfecção/epidemiologia , Coinfecção/virologia , Leishmania infantum/isolamento & purificação , Vírus da Leucemia Felina/genética , Vírus da Leucemia Felina/imunologia , Masculino , Feminino , Toxoplasma , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/sangue , Leishmaniose Visceral/veterinária , Leishmaniose Visceral/diagnóstico , Leishmaniose Visceral/epidemiologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/sangue , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/veterinária , Toxoplasmose Animal/diagnóstico , Toxoplasmose Animal/epidemiologia , Toxoplasmose Animal/sangueRESUMO
This study comprehensively analyzed cases of scorpion envenomation in Brazil, exploring the temporal trends and geographic patterns of such incidents between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2022. Simultaneously, we assessed the correlation between scorpion envenomation and social determinants of health and social vulnerability. We conducted a population-based ecological study, gathering information on the number of scorpion envenomation cases in Brazil, as well as socioeconomic data and social vulnerability indicators across the 5,570 Brazilian municipalities. The season-trend model, based on the classical additive decomposition method, informed estimations of scorpion envenomation variations over time. The spatial correlation of scorpion envenomation with socioeconomic and vulnerability indicators was assessed using the Bivariate Moran's I. A total of 1,343,224 cases of scorpion envenomation were recorded in Brazil from Jan 2012 to Dec 2022. A single increasing time trend was observed for the entire country for this period (APC 8.94, P < 0.001). The seasonal analysis was significant for Brazil as a whole and all regions (p < 0.001), with peaks evident between October and November. The spatial distribution of cases was heterogeneous, with spatial clusters concentrated in the high-risk Southeast and Northeast regions. There was a high incidence of scorpion envenomation in municipalities facing social vulnerability, and, paradoxically, in those with better sanitation and waste collection. Our study revealed a heterogeneous geographical distribution of scorpion accidents in Brazil. Municipalities with higher social vulnerability exhibited a high incidence of scorpion envenomation.
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Picadas de Escorpião , Determinantes Sociais da Saúde , Humanos , Brasil/epidemiologia , Picadas de Escorpião/epidemiologia , Cidades , Condições SociaisRESUMO
SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between quality of life, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression in medical students and the university teaching method: traditional method versus active methodology. METHODS: Four questionnaires were administered to volunteer students (n=361) enrolled in two institutions that employ active (Universidade Tiradentes) or traditional (Faculdade de Medicina do ABC) teaching methodology: socioeconomic level; brief quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref); perceived stress scale (PSS10); and depression and anxiety scale (hospital anxiety and depression scale). RESULTS: Of the students who responded to the questionnaires (226 UNIT and 135 FMABC), 70% were female and 67% were White. The majority did not use medication for depression (90%), anxiety (81%), and stress management (91%). Regarding anxiety, it was found: absence in the traditional method and moderate anxiety in the active methodology (26% UNIT×13% FMABC) (p<0.001). Regarding quality of life, it was found to be better quality of life in the environment domain at FMABC (78.12%) versus 71.88% at the UNIT (p<0.001). There was no difference between the institutions in relation to depression and perceived stress, and in quality of lifethere was only a difference in the environmental domain (p<0.001). In relation to gender, stress was higher in females (93.7%) than males (79.6%) with p<0.001. CONCLUSION: Differences were recorded between the groups regarding anxiety, with a predominance in UNIT students (active methodology), and no differences were recorded in relation to depression, perceived stress, and quality of life in all domains, except for the environment domain, which was higher in the traditional methodology, although about one-third of participants used medication for anxiety/depression.
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Sporothrix brasiliensis is the most pathogenic species, responsible for the Brazilian cat-transmitted sporotrichosis hyperendemic. In this scenario, an investigation of the pathogen-host interaction can provide relevant information for future treatment strategies. To this end, the invertebrate Galleria mellonella has proven to be a suitable alternative for evaluating the virulence of pathogenic fungi, since the insect immune system is similar to the mammalian innate immune response. The aim of this work was to investigate phenotypic and molecular aspects of the immune response of G. mellonella throughout the S. brasiliensis infection. Hemocyte density and the evolution of the fungal load were evaluated. In parallel, RT-qPCR expression analysis of genes encoding antimicrobial peptides (Gallerimycin and Galiomycin) and stress management genes (C7 Contig 15362 and C8 Contig 19101) was conducted. The fungal load and hemocyte densities increased simultaneously and proportionally to the deleterious morphological events and larvae mortality. Gallerimycin, C7 Contig 15362 and C8 Contig 19101 genes were positively regulated (p < 0.05) at distinct moments of S. brasiliensis infection, characterizing a time-dependent and alternately modulated profile. Galiomycin gene expression remained unchanged. Our results contribute to the future proposal of potential alternative pathways for treating and consequently controlling S. brasiliensis zoonosis, a major public health issue in Latin America.
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Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by blood flukes from the genus Schistosoma. Brazil hosts the main endemic area in the Americas, where Schistosoma mansoni is the only species causing the disease. Kato-Katz (KK) thick smear is the WHO recommended screening test for populational studies, but there is growing evidence for the sensitivity limitations associated with KK, especially in areas with low parasite loads. Helmintex (HTX) is another highly sensitive egg-detection method, based on the magnetic properties of S. mansoni eggs and their isolation in a magnetic field. The objective of this study is to evaluate both KK and HTX in a moderate endemic locality, Areia Branca, located in the municipality of Pacatuba, in the state of Sergipe in northeastern Brazil. From 234 individual fecal samples, two KK thick smears were prepared and evaluated for each sample. Similarly, 30 g of each fecal sample was processed by HTX protocol. Eggs were detected in 80 (34.18%) residents. Twenty-three (9.83%) samples were positive for eggs (only by KK), and 77 (32.91%) samples showed positive for eggs (only by HTX). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy estimates gave values of 28.75%, 100% and 75.64%, respectively, for KK, and 96.25%, 100% and 98.72% respectively, for HTX. The positive predictive value was 100% for both methods, while the negative predictive value was 72.99% for KK and 98.09% for HTX. Overall, HTX presented a superior performance compared to the one sample, two slides KK examination. The study confirms the role of HTX as a reference method for the definition of true-positive samples in comparative accuracy studies and its potential role in the late stages when the certification of schistosomiasis transmission interruption is required. Diagnostic tests are important tools for the elimination of this NTD, besides the effective implementation of safe water, basic sanitation, snail control, and the treatment of infected populations.
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We analyzed the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of schistosomiasis mansoni prevention in an endemic area of Brazil. This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May 2021, with 412 participants living in the municipality of Feira Grande, Alagoas, Brazil. Data collection occurred through visits to the Health Center Urbano II and Massapê, through an interview with a structured questionnaire to identify the levels of KAP regarding schistosomiasis prevention. Of all respondents, 70.87% lived in rural areas, 22.66% reported a history of past schistosomiasis and 52.71% never participated in schistosomiasis control program actions. Factors associated with better KAP scores were being part of an older age group, not using rainwater and having no history of past schistosomiasis. Specifically, among the domains, attitude was the highest score and knowledge was the lowest. Participation in a health intervention program, knowing someone who had schistosomiasis and having been informed through a public health program seemed to have an important impact on the population's KAP. Our results contributed to broadening perceptions about schistosomiasis prevention, highlighting the positive impacts that health programs and interventions have on disease control.
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Objetivo: descrever a evolução dos fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de úlceras nos pés de pacientes com DM, em três exames subsequentes num período de 3 anos, num centro de especialidades médicas. Método: estudo descritivo, retrospectivo e longitudinal, com 102 pacientes, entre os anos de 2016 e 2019, que realizaram três exames dos pés sequenciais, fundamentado no padrão estabelecido pelo consenso internacional do pé diabético, sendo eles avaliação neuropática, vascular, dermatológica e uso dos calçados, coletado do Sistema do Pé Diabético. Resultados: 86,27% dos pacientes declararam sintomas neuropáticos, principalmente queimação, dormência e formigamento. A maioria hipertensos (74,71%) e idosos (67,65%), desses 13,73% com infarto prévio e 72,55% eram do sexo feminino. Do primeiro ao terceiro exame, o "risco muito baixo" aumentou 7,84% e "risco baixo" 8,83%, já o "risco elevado" reduziu 17,65%. Conclusão: a realização sistemática do exame clínico dos pés, associado a estratégias educativas efetivas, resultam num controle mais eficaz do risco de ulceração.
Objetivo: Describir la evolución de los factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de úlceras en los pies de pacientes con DM, en tres exámenes subsecuentes en un período de 3 años, en un centro de especialidades médicas. Método: estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y longitudinal, con 102 pacientes, entre los años 2016 y 2019, que realizaron tres exámenes de los pies secuenciales, fundamentado en el patrón establecido por el consenso internacional del pie diabético, siendo ellos evaluación neuropática, vascular, dermatológica y uso de calzado, recogido del Sistema del Pie Diabético. Resultados: 86,27% de los pacientes declararon síntomas neuropáticos, principalmente ardor, entumecimiento y hormigueo. La mayoría hipertensos (74,71%) y ancianos (67,65%), de esos 13,73% con infarto previo y 72,55% eran mujeres. Del primero al tercer examen, el "riesgo muy bajo" aumentó un 7,84% y "riesgo bajo" un 8,83%, mientras que el "riesgo alto" redujo un 17,65%. Conclusión: la realización sistemática del examen clínico de los pies, asociado a estrategias educativas efectivas, resultan en un control más eficaz del riesgo de ulceración.
Objective: to describe the evolution of risk factors for the development of foot ulcers in patients with DM, in three subsequent exams over a period of 3 years, in a medical specialty center. Method: a descriptive, retrospective and longitudinal study, with 102 patients, between the years 2016 and 2019, who performed three sequential foot exams, based on the standard established by the international consensus of the diabetic foot, being use of footwear, collected from the Diabetic Foot System. Results: 86.27% of patients reported neuropathic symptoms, mainly burning, numbness and tingling. Most were hypertensive (74.71%) and elderly (67.65%), of these, 13.73% had previous infarction and 72.55% were female. From the first to the third examination, the "very low risk" increased 7.84% and the "low risk" 8.83%, while the "high risk" reduced 17.65%. Conclusion: the systematic clinical feet exam, associated with effective educational strategies, results in a more effective control of the risk of ulceration.
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Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Autocuidado , Neuropatias Diabéticas/complicaçõesRESUMO
Adherence to secondary prevention measures after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is essential to prevent disease recurrence. In Brazil, the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS, in Portuguese), and the private healthcare system (PHCS) coexist. We aimed to evaluate the adherence to secondary prevention in patients with ACS who were assisted by either SUS or PHCS. In this longitudinal prospective study, patients with ACS were admitted to the four cardiological reference hospitals of Sergipe, three of which assisted PHCS users, and one, SUS users. We analyzed the two patient care models with multiple logistic regression models for adherence to physical activity, pharmacotherapy, and smoking cessation. We enrolled 581 volunteers in this study: 44.1 % from SUS and 55.9 % from PHCS. PHCS users showed greater adherence to pharmacotherapy at both 30 and 180 (p = 0.001) days after ACS with better results in all classes of medications (p < 0.05) than SUS users did. They also showed better adherence to physical activity (p = 0.047). There was no distinction between the groups regarding smoking cessation. The secondary prevention measures after ACS were more effective in PHCS users than in SUS users due to better adherence, especially to pharmacotherapy and regular physical activity.