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BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to high levels of physical, psychological, and social stress among health care professionals, including postgraduate students in medical and multidisciplinary residencies. This stress is associated with the intense fear of occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus known to cause COVID-19. These professionals are at risk of developing physical and mental illnesses not only due to the infection but also due to prolonged exposure to multidimensional stress and continued work overload. ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the prevalence of symptoms suggestive of mental disorders and burnout syndrome and determine the risk factors for burnout among postgraduate students in medical and multidisciplinary residencies in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsFor this prospective cohort study with parallel groups, participants were recruited between July and September 2020 to achieve a sample size of at least 1144 participants. Research instruments such as Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale; Patient Health Questionnaire; Brief Resilient Coping Scale; and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory will be used to collect data. Data will be collected in 2 waves: the first wave will include data related to sample characterization and psychosocial evaluation, and the second wave will be launched 12 weeks later and will include an evaluation of the incidence of burnout as well as correlations with the potential predictive factors collected in the first wave. Additionally, we will collect data regarding participants’ withdrawal from work. ResultsThe recruitment took place from July 29 to September 5, 2020. Data analyses for this phase is already in progress. The second phase of the study is also in progress. The final data collection began on December 1, 2020, and it will be completed by December 31, 2020. ConclusionsWe believe the findings of this study will help evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health conditions of health professionals in Brazil as well as contribute to the planning and implementation of appropriate measures that can alleviate these mental health challenges. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/24298

Introduction and aims: Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) present altered body composition. Neck circumference (CP) is associated with the inflammatory state and metabolic changes. There are no studies evaluating CP in Brazilian patients with RA. The aim of the present study was to verify the relationship of neck circumference with relative muscle strength and obesity markers in female patients with RA. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with 57 women with Rheumatoid Arthritis. The patients were divided according to the value of the circumference of the neck in: Group 1 = CP <35 cm (n = 28) and Group 2: = CP = 35cm (n = 29). DAS28, HAQ, relative manual grip strength and markers of obesity (body mass, perimetry: neck, waist, hip, body mass index, waist hip ratio, body fat index) were evaluated in both groups. Results: All body fat markers of patients with greater circumference presented higher values (all with p <0.01); As well as lower relative manual grip strength. There was no significant difference (p = 0.23) in the level of disease activity, however, patients with lower neck circumference presented a trend (p = 0.07) to the best level of functional capacity. Conclusions: Patients with RA with higher CP had lower relative muscle strength and higher body adiposity. The circumference of the neck may have a simple and low cost clinical application in the identification of metabolic alterations in patients with RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]