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This study aimed to analyze the role of period, geographic and socio demographic factors in cancer-related mortality by prostate, breast, cervix, colon, lung and esophagus cancer in Brazilians capitals (2000-2015). Ecological study using data of Brazilian Mortality Information. Multilevel Poisson models were used to estimate the adjusted risk of cancer mortality. Mortality rate levels were higher in males for colon, lung and esophageal cancers. Mortality rates were highest in the older. Our results showed an increased risk of colon cancer mortality in both sexes from 2000 to 2015, which was also evidenced for breast and lung cancers in women. In both genders, the highest mortality risk for lung and esophageal cancers was observed in Southern capitals. Midwestern, Southern and Southeastern capitals showed the highest mortality risk for colon cancer both for males and females. Colon cancer mortality rate increased for both genders, while breast and lung cancers mortality increased only for women. The North region showed the lowest mortality rate for breast, cervical, colon and esophageal cancers. The Midwest and Northeast regions showed the highest mortality rates for prostate cancer. Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o papel de fatores temporais, geográficos e sociodemográficos na mortalidade por câncer de próstata, mama, colo do útero, cólon, pulmão e esôfago nas capitais brasileiras (2000-2015). Estudo ecológico utilizando informações brasileiras de mortalidade. Modelos de Poisson multinível foram usados para estimar o risco ajustado de mortalidade por câncer. Os níveis de mortalidade foram maiores em homens para câncer de cólon, pulmão e esôfago. As taxas de mortalidade foram mais altas nos idosos. Nossos resultados mostraram risco aumentado de mortalidade por câncer de cólon em ambos os sexos de 2000 a 2015, o que também foi evidenciado para câncer de mama e de pulmão em mulheres. Em ambos os sexos, o maior risco de mortalidade para câncer de pulmão e esôfago foi observado nas capitais do Sul. As capitais do Centro-Oeste, Sul e Sudeste apresentaram o maior risco de mortalidade por câncer de cólon tanto para homens quanto para mulheres. A taxa de mortalidade por câncer de cólon aumentou para ambos os sexos, enquanto a mortalidade por câncer de mama e de pulmão aumentou apenas para as mulheres. A região Norte apresentou a menor taxa de mortalidade por câncer de mama, colo do útero, cólon e esôfago. As regiões Centro-Oeste e Nordeste apresentaram as maiores taxas de mortalidade por câncer de próstata.

This study aims to evaluate the ratio of the number of cases of family violence and violence by a known person, over the four surveys that took place in 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2011, within the population treated in the Brazilian health services, according to demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Data from the Vigilância de Violências e Acidentes survey was used. The variables age, victim sex, aggressor sex, race, and schooling level were considered in the analysis. This study pointed out decreasing trend in the number of violence-related care within the older age group. The number of familial violence-related care per victim sex was higher for male victims when the aggressor was female, and conversely, it was higher for female victims when the aggressor was male. The number of violence-related care was mostly higher in non-White people than in White. People with low schooling levels showed the highest ratio of the number of violence-related care.

National border areas are special places for the spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). These regions concentrate vulnerable populations and constant population movements. Understanding the dynamics of the transmission of MTB is fundamental to propose control measures and to monitor drug resistance. We conducted a population-based prospective study of tuberculosis (TB) to evaluate molecular characteristics of MTB isolates circulating in Roraima, a state on the border of Venezuela and Guyana. Eighty isolates were genotyped by IS6110-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism), spoligotyping, and 24-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number of repeats tandem (MIRU-VNTR). Drug susceptibility tests were performed by using the proportion method and GeneXpert(®) MTB/RIF (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA). Isolates showing a phenotypic resistance profile were submitted to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. Spoligotyping showed 40 distinct patterns with a high prevalence of Latin-American and Mediterranean (LAM), Haarlem (H), and the “ill-defined” T clades. Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit -VNTR and IS6110-RFLP showed clustering rates of 21.3% and 30%, respectively. Drug resistance was detected in 11 (15.1%) isolates, and all were found to have primary resistance; among these, six (8.2%) isolates were streptomycin mono-resistant, four (5.4%) isoniazid mono-resistant, and one (1.3%) multidrug resistant. This is the first study on the molecular epidemiology and drug resistance profile of MTB from Roraima. Herein, we describe high diversity of genetic profiles circulating in this region that may be driven by the introduction of new strain types because of large population flow in this region. In summary, our results showed that analyses of these circulating strains can contribute to a better understanding of TB epidemiology in the northern Brazilian border and be useful to establish public health policies on TB prevention.

Objective: Maternal and neonatal mortality are important public health issues in low-income countries. This study evaluated spatial and temporal maternal and neonatal mortality trends in Brazil between 1997 and 2012. Methods: This study employed spatial analysis techniques using death records from the mortality information system. Maternal mortality rates per 100,000 and neonatal mortality rates (early and late) per 1000 live births were calculated by state, region, and period (1997–2000, 2001–2004, 2005–2008, and 2009–2012). Multivariate negative binomial models were used to explain the risk of death. Results: The mean Brazilian maternal mortality rate was 55.63/100,000 for the entire 1997–2012 period. The rate fell 10% from 1997–2000 (58.92/100,000) to 2001–2004 (52.77/100,000), but later increased 11% during 2009–2012 (58.69/100,000). Early and late neonatal mortality rates fell 33% (to 7.36/1000) and 21% (to 2.29/1000), respectively, during the 1997–2012 period. Every Brazilian region witnessed a drop in neonatal mortality rates. However, maternal mortality increased in the Northeast, North, and Southeast regions. Conclusion: Brazil's neonatal mortality rate has improved in recent times, but maternal mortality rates have stagnated, failing to meet the Millennium Development Goals. Public policies and intersectoral efforts may contribute to improvements in these health indicators. Resumo: Objetivo: A mortalidade materna e neonatal é um importante problema de saúde pública em países de baixa renda. Este estudo avaliou as tendências de mortalidade materna e neonatal espacial e temporal no Brasil entre 1997 e 2012. Métodos: Este estudo utilizou técnicas de análise espacial utilizando registros de óbito do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade. As taxas de mortalidade materna a cada 100.000 e as taxas de mortalidade neonatal (precoce e tardia) a cada 1.000 nascidos vivos foram calculadas por estado, região e período (1997-2000, 2001-2004, 2005-2008 e 2009-2012). Os modelos binomiais negativos multivariados foram utilizados para explicar o risco de morte. Resultados: A taxa de mortalidade materna no Brasil foi 55,63/100.000 em todo o período entre 1997 e 2012. A taxa caiu 10% de 1997-2000 (58,92/100.000) a 2001-2004 (52,77/100.000), porém, mais tarde, aumentou 11% até 2009-2012 (58,69/100.000). As taxas de mortalidade neonatal precoce e tardia caíram 33% (para 7,36/1.000) e 21% (para 2.29/1.000), respectivamente, durante o período de 1997-2012. Toda região brasileira testemunhou uma queda nas taxas de mortalidade neonatal. Contudo, a mortalidade materna aumentou nas regiões Nordeste, Norte e Sudeste. Conclusão: A taxa de mortalidade neonatal do Brasil melhorou nos últimos anos, porém as taxas de mortalidade materna estagnaram, deixando de atingir os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento do Milênio. As políticas públicas e os esforços intersetoriais poderão contribuir para as melhorias nesses indicadores de saúde. Keywords: Maternal mortality, Infant mortality, Trends, Maternal health, Ecological studies, Mortality, Palavras-chave: Mortalidade materna, Mortalidade infantil, Tendências, Saúde maternal, Estudos ecológicos, Mortalidade

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of a Brazilian smoking cessation support program and the factors that are associated with its success. Methods A longitudinal study was conducted from 2012 to 2014 with 84 patients enrolled in smoking cessation support groups in a Primary Care Center from a poor community in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Support was provided according to Brazilian Tobacco Control Program and consisted of cognitive behavioral therapy in addition to nicotine replacement therapy. Logistic regression and the Cox proportional hazard models were used in the analysis. Results There was an increase of 34%, 48% and 97% in the chances of patients stop smoking for at least six months, 12 months and 24 months, respectively, for each new session that the patient participated. Patients that attended three or more meetings had a 79% lower risk of returning to smoking than those who went to less than three meetings. Conclusions Although not all patients who were enrolled in the program could be contacted for the study, our results indicate that about 40% of patients are able to stay smoke-free for at least three months due to the smoking cessation program, but less than 20% are able to remain smoke-free for two years. Initiatives to improve adherence to cognitive behavioral therapy meetings according to the specificity of the population may increase the effectiveness of the program. RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito a longo prazo de um programa de suporte à cessação do tabagismo e os fatores associados ao sucesso do tratamento. Métodos Conduzimos um estudo longitudinal de 2012 a 2014, no qual 84 pacientes foram incluídos em grupos de suporte à cessação do tabagismo em um Centro de Atenção Primária de uma comunidade de baixo poder aquisitivo do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil). O tratamento seguiu as orientações do Programa Nacional de Controle do Tabagismo do Brasil, consistindo em terapia cognitivo-comportamental, adicionado à reposição de nicotina. Modelos de riscos proporcionais de Cox e de regressão logística foram usados na análise. Resultados Houve um aumento de 34%, 48% e 97% na chance dos pacientes pararem de fumar por pelo menos seis meses, 12 meses e 24 meses, respectivamente, a cada nova sessão que o paciente participou. Os pacientes que compareceram a três ou mais encontros tiveram risco 79% menor de voltar a fumar do que aqueles que foram a menos de três encontros. Conclusões Apesar de não ter sido possível contatar todos os pacientes do programa para participar do estudo, nossos resultados indicam que cerca de 40% dos participantes conseguiram parar de fumar por pelo menos três meses, porém menos de 20% foram capazes de parar por dois anos. Iniciativas para melhorar a adesão aos encontros de terapia cognitivo-comportamental, respeitando as especificidades de cada população, podem ser úteis para aumentar a efetividade do programa.

IntroductionDisability follows the rapid rate of population ageing, imposing a huge burden on society. Functional assessment in older people can identify predictors of disability.ObjectiveAnalyze the incidence and the risk factors for disability in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in older adults over six years.MethodsSix year-follow up study initiated in 2010. The baseline non-probabilistic sample consisted of 180 independent community dwelling individuals aged 60 and over. The procedures comprised an interview with sociodemographic data, questions about falls, urinary incontinence, self-rated health, and assessment of ADL, IADL, mobility, depression, vision, hearing, cognition, nutrition, grip strength and social support. The second research was carried out by telephone and assessed ADL and IADL. Logistic regression models calculated the odds of disability in ADL and IADL according to the age, sex and all other variables.ResultsAt six-year follow-up, 118 participants were still alive (65.6%), 31 died (17%) and other 31 were missed (17%). The incidence of disability to performADL and IADL were 25.4% and 32.3%, respectively. The regression logistic models revealed thaturinary incontinence (OR = 3.2; P = 0.03) and insufficient emotional support (OR = 3.8; P = 0.04) were associated with ADL disability, while visual problems (OR: 2.9; P = 0.03) and insufficient emotional support (OR: 5.6; P = 0.01) were associated with IADL disability.ConclusionThe current study has identified that insufficient emotional support, visual problems and urinary incontinence are associated with disability in older adults. The routine assessment of these problems in the primary care clinics enable the implementation of strategies aimed at reducing or postponing disability. Educating patients and families will also enable better choices to reduce the risk of functional decline.

This study describes the spatial-temporal changes of the proportion of ill-defined causes of death in Brazil (1998-2012) and investigates which demographic and socioeconomic factors affect this proportion. We collected information of the proportion of ill-defined causes of death by age (15-59 years), sex, period, locality, and socioeconomic data. We used a multilevel Poisson model to investigate which factors affect the risk of ill-defined causes of death. Unlike states located in the South and Midwest, we detected clusters with high proportional levels of these deaths in states in the North and Northeast regions. A greater proportion occurred in 1998-2002 (0.09), in the North and Northeast (0.14 and 0.12, respectively), in older age groups (0.09), and in places with poor socioeconomic conditions. The adjusted analysis showed differences in proportion according to the region, age, period, schooling, social inequality, and income. The results indicate that the lower the age group and the better the socioeconomic situation, the lower the risk to register the cause of death as ill-defined. Although over the past years, the quality of Brazil’s mortality data has gradually increased, investments towards improving mortality registries cannot be discontinued. Resumo Este estudo descreve as mudanças espaço-temporais da proporção de causas mal definidas no Brasil (1998-2012) e seus fatores associados. Coletamos informações da proporção de óbitos por causas mal definidas por idade (15-59 anos), sexo, período, local de residência, além de fatores socioeconômicos. Utilizou-se modelo multinível de Poisson para investigar os fatores associados às causas mal definidas dos óbitos. Ao contrário dos estados do sul e centro-oeste, identificou-se clusters com elevados níveis proporcionais destes óbitos nos estados do norte, nordeste e sudeste. A maior proporção de óbitos mal definidos ocorreu em 1998-2002 (0,09), no norte e nordeste (0,14 e 0,12, respectivamente), nos grupos etários mais velhos (0,09) e nos locais com condições socioeconômicas desfavoráveis. A análise ajustada indicou diferença dos níveis de causas mal definidas de acordo com a região, a idade, o período, a escolaridade, a desigualdade social e a renda. Nossos resultados sugerem que quanto menor a faixa etária e melhores as condições socioeconômicas, menor o risco de óbitos mal definidos. Apesar de nos últimos anos a qualidade dos dados de mortalidade no Brasil ter aumentado, os investimentos na melhoria do registro dos óbitos não podem ser descontinuadas.

Objective:The treatment of tobacco addiction in Brazil has expanded in recent years; however, we must increase knowledge about the characteristics of individuals who adhere to cessation programs in order to adjust treatments to specific characteristics of the target population that favor success. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of smokers who present to Brazilian public health units seeking help to quit smoking based on the experience of a primary health care unit that covers a poor community in the city of Rio de Janeiro.Methods:Data were collected at a Teaching Health Center from January 03 2012 to January 03 2014.Results:Mean patient age was 49.32±11.82 years, and 71% were women. About half of the participants successfully quit smoking (n=125, 51%). Higher levels of nicotine dependence were associated with lower levels of smoking cessation. There was a notable decrease in the probability of remaining smoking throughout the first month of treatment. After 3 weeks of treatment, only 19% had not quit smoking. The probability of quitting smoking decreases by 2% for every additional year of age.Conclusion:There is a need to revise and expand current strategies to make them more effective in preventing smoking since childhood.

The aim of this study was to analyze the spatial distribution of the tuberculosis endemic in Rio de Janeiro State from 2002 to 2011. A retrospective study was conducted in the state of Rio de Janeiro from 2002 to 2011. Spatial analysis techniques were used to describe the distribution of tuberculosis incidence in the state. Multilevel Poisson regression model was used to access the relationship of tuberculosis and the following factors: “sex”, “age-group” and “diagnostic year” (individual-level factors). Demographic density and municipality were also included in the model as contextual-level factors. A reduction in endemic tuberculosis was observed over the years. The highest incidence rates were concentrated on the south coast of the state, covering Rio de Janeiro City (capital) and neighboring cities. We detected a significant clustering of high TB incidence rates on the south coast of the state and a cluster of low incidence in the northeastern region of state. The risk of tuberculosis was higher in early 2000s, in males and in 40-59 age group. Metropolitan regions are important risk areas for the spread of tuberculosis. These findings could be used to plan control measures according to the characteristics of each region. Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a distribuição espacial da tuberculose (TB) endêmica no Rio de Janeiro 2002-2011. Estudo retrospectivo realizado no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 2002-2011. Técnicas de análise espacial foram utilizadas para descrever a distribuição de incidência de tuberculose no estado. Modelo de regressão multinível de Poisson foi utilizado para acessar a relação de tuberculose e os fatores: “sexo”, “faixa etária” e “ano de diagnóstico” (fatores de nível individual). A “Densidade demográfica” e o “município de residência” também foram incluídos no modelo como fatores de nível contextual. Houve redução da tuberculose endêmica ao longo dos anos. As maiores taxas de incidência se concentraram no litoral sul do estado, abrangendo capital e cidades vizinhas. Observamos a formação de cluster significativo com altas taxas de incidência de TB no litoral sul do estado e cluster de baixa incidência na região nordeste do estado. O risco de tuberculose foi maior no início de 2000, no sexo masculino e na faixa etária 40-59. As megacidades são áreas de risco importantes para a disseminação da tuberculose. Estes achados poderiam ser usados para planejar medidas de controle de acordo com as características de cada região.

Background\ud \ud The implementation of rapid drug susceptibility testing (DST) is a current global priority for TB control. However, data are scarce on patient-relevant outcomes for presumptive diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis (pDR-TB) evaluated under field conditions in high burden countries.\ud \ud Methods\ud \ud Observational study of pDR-TB patients referred by primary and secondary health units. TB reference centers addressing DR-TB in five cities in Brazil. Patients age 18 years and older were eligible if pDR-TB, culture positive results for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and, if no prior DST results from another laboratory were used by a physician to start anti-TB treatment. The outcome measures were median time from triage to initiating appropriate anti-TB treatment, empirical treatment and, the treatment outcomes.\ud \ud Results\ud \ud Between February,16th, 2011 and February, 15th, 2012, among 175 pDR TB cases, 110 (63.0%) confirmed TB cases with DST results were enrolled. Among study participants, 72 (65.5%) were male and 62 (56.4%) aged 26 to 45 years. At triage, empirical treatment was given to 106 (96.0%) subjects. Among those, 85 were treated with first line drugs and 21 with second line. Median time for DST results was 69.5 [interquartile - IQR: 35.7–111.0] days and, for initiating appropriate anti-TB treatment, the median time was 1.0 (IQR: 0–41.2) days. Among 95 patients that were followed-up during the first 6 month period, 24 (25.3%; IC: 17.5%–34.9%) changed or initiated the treatment after DST results: 16/29 MDRTB, 5/21 DR-TB and 3/45 DS-TB cases. Comparing the treatment outcome to DS-TB cases, MDRTB had higher proportions changing or initiating treatment after DST results (p = 0.01) and favorable outcomes (p = 0.07).\ud \ud Conclusions\ud \ud This study shows a high rate of empirical treatment and long delay for DST results. Strategies to speed up the detection and early treatment of drug resistant TB should be prioritized.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three temporal components of AIDS incidence (i.e., age, period and cohort) on individuals aged 50 or older living in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Methods: Age-specific incidence rates were calculated from 1982–2011. Negative binomial and Poisson models were used to analyze the risk of AIDS by age, period and cohort. Results: The risk of AIDS in men was 2.45 times higher than in women, regardless of age and period (p-value < 0.001). The incidence of AIDS in individuals older than 69 years was 7-fold lower than in those aged 50–59 years (p-value < 0.001). A decreasing trend in AIDS risk was observed from the youngest cohort (≥1940) to the oldest (1910–1919). From 1982 to 2006, we could detect an increasing trend in AIDS risk in the population aged 50 years or older. A peak in rates was detected in the period from 2002–2006. The incidence rates in 2002–2006 were six times higher than those in 1987–1991 (p-value < 0.001), independent of age and sex (p-value < 0.001). Conclusions: An increase of AIDS risk in older people was detected. This group should not be neglected by public health programs.

Resumo: O envelhecimento populacional ocasionou aumento da dependência e da sobrecarga de cuidadores familiares de idosos dependentes. O objetivo foi verificar, entre cuidadores familiares, a prevalência de sobrecarga e os fatores associados a ela em uma região pobre e violenta do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Trata-se de estudo transversal com 140 idosos e cuidadores familiares, para investigar apoio social, maus tratos, coabitação e sobrecarga nos cuidadores familiares, além de dependência, declínio cognitivo e depressão no idoso. Modelos logísticos múltiplos foram construídos no intuito de explicar a sobrecarga dos cuidadores familiares. As seguintes características dos idosos se associaram à sobrecarga: idade (OR = 0,94; p < 0,002), depressão (OR = 2,59; p < 0,005) e declínio cognitivo (OR = 3,19; p < 0,03). Em relação aos fatores dos cuidadores familiares, apenas apoio social manteve a relevância (OR = 2,35; p < 0,005). Conclui-se que investigar e tratar depressão e demência em idosos, assim como prover apoio aos seus cuidadores, podem contribuir para o manejo efetivo da sobrecarga de cuidadores familiares, melhorando a qualidade do cuidado e a saúde de ambos. Abstract: Population aging has led to increased dependency and overburden of family caregivers of dependent elderly. The aim was to verify prevalence of family caregivers overburden and associated factors in a poor and violent area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study of 140 elderly and family caregivers, focusing on social support, abuse, cohabitation, and family caregivers overburden, in addition to dependency, cognitive decline, and depression in the elderly. Multiple logistic models were constructed to explain family caregivers overburden. The following characteristics of the elderly were associated with family caregivers overburden: age (OR = 0.94; p < 0.002), depression (OR = 2.59; p < 0.005), and cognitive decline (OR = 3.19; p < 0.03). As for family caregivers characteristics, only social support remained relevant (OR = 2.35; p < 0.005). In conclusion, investigating and treating depression and dementia in the elderly and promoting support for their caregivers can contribute to the effective management of family caregivers overburden and improve quality of care for both. Reumen: El envejecimiento poblacional ocasionó un aumento de la dependencia y de la sobrecarga de cuidadores familiares de ancianos dependientes. El objetivo fue verificar la prevalencia y los factores asociados a la sobrecarga de cuidadores familiares en una región pobre y violenta en Río de Janeiro, Brasil. Se realizó un estudio transversal con 140 ancianos y cuidadores familiares para investigar: apoyo social, malos tratos, cohabitación y sobrecarga en el cuidadores familiares; además de dependencia, declive cognitivo, depresión, en el anciano. Se construyeron modelos logísticos múltiples con la esperanza de explicar la sobrecarga del cuidadores familiares. Las siguientes características de los ancianos se asociaron a la sobrecarga: edad (OR = 0,94; p < 0,002), depresión (OR = 2,59; p < 0,005) y declive cognitivo (OR = 3,19; p < 0,03). En relación con los factores del cuidadores familiares, sólo el apoyo social mantuvo relevancia (OR = 2,35; p < 0,005). Investigar y tratar la depresión y demencia en ancianos, así como proveer apoyo a sus cuidadores, puede contribuir al manejo efectivo de la sobrecarga de cuidadores familiares, mejorando la calidad del cuidado y la salud de ambos.

Background In Brazil, the incidence of dengue greatly increased in the last two decades and there are several factors impeding the control of the disease. The present study focused on describing the space-time evolution of dengue in Brazil from 2001 to 2012 and analyzing the relationship of the reported cases with socio-demographic and environmental factors. Methods The analytic units used in the preparation of thematic maps were municipalities. Statistical tests and multilevel regression models were used to evaluate the association between dengue incidence and the following factors: climate, diagnostic period, demographic density, percentage of people living in rural areas, Gross Domestic Product, Gini index, percentage of garbage collection and the rate of households with a sewage network. Results The largest accumulation of dengue cases in Brazil was concentrated on the Atlantic coast and in the interior part of Sao Paulo State. The risk of dengue in subtropical and tropical climates was 1.20–11 times lower than that observed in semi-arid climates. In 2009–2010 and 2011–2012, the risks were ten and six times higher than in 2003–2004, respectively. Conclusion Dengue is a common infection in the Brazilian population, with the largest accumulation of dengue cases concentrated on the Atlantic coast and in the interior area of Sao Paulo State. The high dengue rates observed in the Brazilian coastal region suggest that the cases imported from neighboring countries contribute to the spread of the disease in the country. Our results suggest that several socio-demographic and environmental factors resulted in the increase of dengue in the country over time. This is likely applicable to the occurrence of other arboviruses like Zika and chikungunya. To reverse the situation, Brazil must implement effective public policies that offer basic services such as garbage collection and sanitation networks as well as reduce vector populations.

Introduction Sarcopenia is a condition diagnosed when the patient presents low muscle mass, plus low muscle strength or low physical performance. Muscle weakness in the oldest (dynapenia) is a major public health concern because it predicts future all-cause mortality and is associated with falls, disability, cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Grip strength is a simple method for assessment of muscle function in clinical practice. Objective To estimate the grip strength and identify factors associated with handgrip strength variation in elderly people with low socioeconomic status. Methods Cross-sectional study based on a multidimensional assessment of primary care users that were 60 years or older. The sample size was calculated using an estimated prevalence of depression in older adults of 20%. A kappa coefficient of 0.6 with a 95% confidence interval was used to generate a conservative sample size of 180 individuals. Procedures: tests and scales to assess humor, cognition (MMSE), basic (ADL) and instrumental activities (IADL) of daily living, mobility (Timed Up and Go), strength, height, Body Mass Index (BMI) and social support were applied. Questions about falls, chronic diseases and self-rated health (SRH) were also included. Statistical Analysis: Mean, standard deviation and statistical tests were used to compare grip strength means by demographic and health factors. A multivariate linear model was used to explain the relationship of the predictors with grip strength. Results The group was composed predominantly by women (73%) with a very low level of education (mean 3 years of schooling), mean age of 73.09 (± 7.05) years old, good mobility and without IADL impairment. Mean grip strength of male and female were 31.86Kg (SD 5.55) and 21.69Kg (SD 4.48) [p- 0.0001], respectively. Low grip strength was present in 27.7% of women and 39.6% of men. As expected, men and younger participants had higher grip strength than women and older individuals. In the adjusted model, age (p- 0.03), female sex (p- 0.0001), mobility (p- 0.05), height (p- 0.03) and depression (p- 0.03) were independently associated with low grip strength. For every second more in the mobility test, there was a mean decrease of 0.08 Kg in the grip strength. Elders with depression had a mean reduction of 1.74Kg in the grip strength in relation to those in the comparison groups. There was an average reduction of 8.36Kg in the grip strength of elderly females relative to males. For each year of age after 60 years, it was expected an average reduction of 0.11 Kg in the grip strength. Conclusion our results suggest that low grip strength is associated with age, female sex, height, depression and mobility problems in poor elderly. Grip strength can be a simple, quick and inexpensive means of stratifying elders’ risk of sarcopenia in the primary care setting. Efforts should be made to recognize weaker persons and the conditions associated to low grip strength in order to target early interventions to prevent frailty and disability.

Resumo: O objetivo foi examinar as caraterísticas psicométricas de testes de triagem para idosos e propor um roteiro para a atenção primária. Etapas: (1) confiabilidade interaferidores para testes de desempenho e perguntas de autoavaliação para 8 funções; (2) sensibilidade e especificidade de questões para depressão e apoio social; (3) encontro de especialistas para seleção das atividades instrumentais da vida diária (AIVD); (4) elaboração do roteiro. A triagem durou 16 minutos. A confiabilidade interaferidores para os testes de desempenho foi excelente, mas pobre para perguntas. Depressão e apoio social apresentaram sensibilidade e especificidade satisfatórias (0,74/0,77 e 0,77/0,96). Quatro AIVD foram selecionadas por mais de 55% dos especialistas. Após os resultados, elaborou-se um roteiro que priorizou o uso de testes de desempenho, mantendo questões para humor, apoio social e AIVD. O estudo sugere maior reprodutibilidade de testes de performance em relação a perguntas. Para humor e apoio social, as questões podem constituir uma primeira etapa de triagem. O roteiro proposto possibilita o rápido rastreamento de problemas. Abstract: The objectives were to examine psychometric properties of a screening test for the elderly and to propose a protocol for use in primary care. The method consisted of four stages: (1) inter-evaluator reliability for performance tests and self-assessment questions for eight functions; (2) sensitivity and specificity of questions on depression and social support; (3) meeting of experts to select instrumental activities of daily living (IADL); and (4) elaboration of the protocol. Screening lasted 16 minutes. Inter-evaluator reliability was excellent for performance tests but poor for questions. Depression and social support showed satisfactory sensitivity and specificity (0.74/0.77 and 0.77/0.96). Four IADL were selected by more than 55% of the experts. Following the results, a screening protocol was elaborated that prioritized the use of performance tests, maintaining questions on mood, social support, and IADL. The study suggests better reproducibility of performance tests when compared to questions. For mood and social support, the questions may provide a first screening stage. The proposed protocol allows rapid screening of problems. Resumen: El objetivo fue examinar características psicométricas de test de evaluación diagnóstica preliminar para ancianos y proponer un guión para la atención primaria. Etapas: (1) fiabilidad entre evaluadores para el test de desempeño y preguntas de autoevaluación para 8 funciones; (2) sensibilidad y especificidad de cuestiones para depresión y apoyo social; (3) encuentro de especialistas para selección de las actividades instrumentales de vida diaria (AIVD); (4) elaboración del guión. La evaluación preliminar diagnóstica duró 16 minutos. La fiabilidad entre evaluadores para los test de desempeño fue excelente, pero pobre en preguntas. Depresión y apoyo social tuvieron sensibilidad y especificidad satisfactorias (0,74/0,77 y 0,77/0,96). Cuatro AIVD fueron seleccionadas por más de un 55% de los especialistas. Tras los resultados, se elaboró un guión que priorizó el uso de test de desempeño, manteniendo preguntas sobre humor, apoyo social y AIVD. El estudio sugiere mayor reproductibilidad de pruebas de rendimiento en relación con las preguntas. Para humor y apoyo social, las preguntas pueden constituir una primera etapa de evaluación preliminar diagnóstica. El guión propuesto posibilita la rápida localización de problemas.

The dynamics of the spread of the AIDS epidemic ranges according to the characteristics of each geographical region in different population groups. The aim of this study was to evaluate spatial and temporal trends of the AIDS epidemic among the elderly in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A retrospective study using spatial analysis techniques was conducted among AIDS cases (≥ 60 years) diagnosed from 1997-2011. The Poisson regression model was used to assess the relationship between year of diagnosis and incidence of AIDS, adjusted by sex. The AIDS epidemic began in the south coast of the state and gradually reached neighboring cities. The highest rates were found in regions around Rio de Janeiro and Niterói cities. The highest smoothed rates of the period were observed in Niterói in 2002-2006: 11.87/100,000 (men) and 8,5/100,000 (women). AIDS incidence rates among the elderly have stabilized in recent decades. To prevent HIV from spreading further among the general population, greater attention should be given to the older population. A dinâmica de espalhamento da epidemia de AIDS varia segundo as características de cada região geográfica nos diferentes grupos populacionais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar tendências temporais e espaciais da epidemia de AIDS em idosos no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Estudo retrospectivo com técnicas de análise espacial, utilizando-se casos de AIDS (≥ 60 anos) diagnosticados de 1997-2011. O modelo de regressão de Poisson foi utilizado para acessar a relação entre ano diagnóstico e incidência de AIDS ajustada por sexo. A epidemia de AIDS começou no litoral sul do estado e, gradualmente, chegou às cidades vizinhas. As maiores taxas da doença foram encontradas em regiões em torno do Rio de Janeiro e Niterói. Em 2002-2006, na cidade de Niterói, foram observadas as maiores taxas suavizadas no período: 11,87/100 mil (homens) e 5,08/100 mil (mulheres). Os índices de AIDS em idosos têm estabilizado nas últimas décadas. Maior atenção deve ser dada ao grupo idoso para evitar a progressão da doença na população. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las tendencias espaciales y temporales de la epidemia del SIDA en los adultos de edad avanzada en el Estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil. Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo de técnicas de análisis espacial, utilizando casos de SIDA (≥ 60 años) diagnosticados 1997-2011. El modelo de regresión de Poisson se utiliza para acceder a la relación entre año de diagnóstico y la incidencia del SIDA ajustada por sexo. La epidemia del SIDA comenzó en la costa sur del estado y, poco a poco, llegó a las ciudades aledañas. Se encontró que las tasas más altas de la enfermedad en las regiones que rodean Río de Janeiro y Niterói. En 2002-2006, en la ciudad de Niterói, hubo tasas más altas de la enfermedad suavizadas durante el período: 11,87/100.000 (hombres) y 8,5/100.000 (mujeres). Las tasas de SIDA en las personas mayores se han estabilizado en las últimas décadas. Se debe proporcionar una mayor atención al grupo de adultos de edad avanzada, con el fin de prevenir la progresión de la enfermedad en la población.

Population aging has led to increased dependency and overburden of family caregivers of dependent elderly. The aim was to verify prevalence of family caregivers overburden and associated factors in a poor and violent area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study of 140 elderly and family caregivers, focusing on social support, abuse, cohabitation, and family caregivers overburden, in addition to dependency, cognitive decline, and depression in the elderly. Multiple logistic models were constructed to explain family caregivers overburden. The following characteristics of the elderly were associated with family caregivers overburden: age (OR = 0.94; p0.002), depression (OR = 2.59; p0.005), and cognitive decline (OR = 3.19; p0.03). As for family caregivers characteristics, only social support remained relevant (OR = 2.35; p0.005). In conclusion, investigating and treating depression and dementia in the elderly and promoting support for their caregivers can contribute to the effective management of family caregivers overburden and improve quality of care for both.

INTRODUCTION: Depression is one of the most common mental disorders and a leading cause of disability worldwide. It constitutes a serious public health problem, particularly among elderly individuals. Most depressed elderly patients are treated by primary care (PC) physicians. The "Patient Health Questionnaire" (PHQ-2) is an instrument used for the detection of depression in PC settings. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the performance of the PHQ-2 in a low-income and uneducated elderly PC population. METHODS: A non-probabilistic population sample of 142 individuals was selected from the healthcare unit's users ≧ 60 years. Criterion validity was assessed by estimating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the PHQ-2 in comparison with the structured interview using the DSM-IV. The estimates of sensitivity and specificity were obtained from varying cut-offs of the PHQ-2 score. A Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. RESULTS: The group was predominantly female (73.9%), with low education level (mean 3 years of schooling). The mean age was 72.5 years old. The prevalence of depression was 26.1%. The best values of sensitivity (0.74), specificity (0.77), PPV (0.50) e NPV (0.90) were obtained with score equal to 1. The AUC was 0.77, indicating a modest performance of the test accuracy. CONCLUSION: The simplicity of the PHQ-2 is an advantage for its use in PC. The high NPV indicated that 90% of those who tested negative would not need additional tests. However, the low PPV indicated that the PHQ-2 is not sufficient to screen for depression. The application of the instrument could be the first step of the screening, that would include a second step to all those with positive tests formerly.

The article aimed at assessing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis control in Brazil, based on the experiences of reference institutions, and the most relevant studies carried out to determine local and national resistance rates. Control measures and the current situation of treatment and diagnoses after the implementation of the national guidelines, which were revised in 2004, are considered. The first national survey on resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs was performed in the middle of last decade. From its outcomes, a regimen to treat all cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis was validated and adopted. Government measures enabled the implementation of a surveillance system, whose outcomes are also commented.

O objetivo do artigo foi analisar o controle da tuberculose multirresistente no Brasil, com base nas experiências de instituições de referência e dos principais estudos de determinação das taxas locais e nacionais de resistência. Foram consideradas as medidas de controle e a situação atual de diagnóstico e tratamento, a partir da implementação das diretrizes nacionais, revisadas em 2004. O primeiro inquérito nacional de resistência aos medicamentos anti-tuberculose foi realizado em meados da década de 1990. A partir de seus resultados, foi validado e adotado um regime terapêutico nacional para todos os casos de tuberculose multirresistente. Medidas governamentais possibilitaram a implementação de um sistema de vigilância epidemiológica, cujos resultados também são comentados. The article aimed at assessing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis control in Brazil, based on the experiences of reference institutions, and the most relevant studies carried out to determine local and national resistance rates. Control measures and the current situation of treatment and diagnoses after the implementation of the national guidelines, which were revised in 2004, are considered. The first national survey on resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs was performed in the middle of last decade. From its outcomes, a regimen to treat all cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis was validated and adopted. Government measures enabled the implementation of a surveillance system, whose outcomes are also commented.

This prospective study evaluated the performance of the m icroscopic o bservation d rug s usceptibility (MODS) assay for the direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug resistance. MODS assay sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 96.7% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 92.1 to 98.8%), 78.4% (95% CI, 73.5 to 80.6%), 82.4% (95% CI, 78.4 to 84.2%), and 95.8% (95% CI, 89.9 to 98.5%), respectively, for isoniazid resistance and 96.0% (95% CI, 90.3 to 98.6%), 82.9% (95% CI, 78.8 to 84.7%), 80.0% (95% CI, 75.2 to 82.1%), and 96.7% (95% CI, 91.9 to 98.8%), respectively, for rifampin resistance. For both rifampin and isoniazid testing, the likelihood ratio for a negative test was ≤0.05, indicating that the MODS assay may be useful for ruling out drug resistance.

Background. There is an urgent need for low-cost methods for rapid, accurate detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical specimens. The microscopic-observation drug-susceptibility (MODS) assay is a relatively low-cost and simple liquid culture method that has been proposed for use in resource-limited environments.Methods. This prospective study evaluated the performance of the MODS assay for detection of M. tuberculosis in persons undergoing evaluation for pulmonary tuberculosis in Brazil and Honduras. Respiratory specimens were evaluated using smear microscopy, culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium, and culture using the MODS assay. A subset of specimens was also cultured using the Mycobacterial Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) 960 automated system (Becton Dickinson). A study subject was considered to have tuberculosis if at least 1 culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium was positive for M. tuberculosis.Findings. A total of 1639 respiratory specimens obtained from 854 study subjects were analyzed. On a per-subject basis, MODS sensitivity was 97.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 95.7–98.6), and specificity was 94.4% (95% CI, 93.1–95.2). Median times to detection were 21 days (interquartile range [IQR], 17–25 days) and 7 days (IQR, 5–10) for culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium and for the MODS assay, respectively (P < .01). For 64 specimens cultured using the MGIT 960 automated system, median time to growth was similar for the MODS assay (7 days; IQR, 7–10 days) and the MGIT 960 automated system (8 days; IQR, 6–11.5 days; P = .16). The percentage of contaminated cultures was lower for the MODS assay than for culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium (3.8% vs. 5.8%; P < .01).Conclusions. The MODS assay is a relatively simple test whose good performance characteristics for detection of pulmonary tuberculosis may make it suitable for resource-limited environments.

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In recent decades, the rise violent phenomena in Brazil has reached epidemic proportions. However, the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) across different states in the country is not well established. The objective of this study was to describe the distribution of DV across Brazilian states from 2009 to 2014. An ecological study based on spatial analysis techniques was performed using Brazilian states as geographical units of analysis. A multilevel Poisson model was used to explain the risk of DV in Brazil according to age, sex, period (fixed effects), the Human Developing Index, and the victim’s residence state (random effects). The overall average rate of DV almost tripled from 2009-2010 to 2013-2014. The rate of DV in Brazil in the 2013-2014 period was 3.52 times greater than the 2009-2010 period. The risk of DV in men was 74% lower than in women. The increase of DV against women during period under study occurred mainly in the Southeast, South, and Midwest. DV was more frequent in adolescence and adulthood. DV is gradually increasing in recent years in Brazil. More legislation and government programs are needed to combat the growth of violence in society. Resumo Nas últimas décadas houve um aumento epidêmico da ocorrência de fenômenos de violência no Brasil. Entretanto, a distribuição do padrão de violência doméstica (VD) nos diferentes estados ainda não está bem estabelecida. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a distribuição de VD entre os estados brasileiros de 2009 a 2014. Estudo ecológico utilizando-se técnicas de análise espacial. Os estados foram utilizados como unidades de análise. Modelo de regressão multinível de Poisson foi utilizado para explicar o risco de VD segundo idade, sexo, período (fatores fixos), Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano e estado de residência (efeitos aleatórios). As taxas médias gerais de notificações de VD quase triplicaram de 2009-2010 para 2013-2014. A taxa de VD no Brasil em 2013-2014 foi 3.52 vezes maior do que em 2009-2010. O risco de VD em homens foi 74% menor do que nas mulheres. O aumento da violência doméstica nas mulheres ao longo do tempo ocorreu principalmente no sudeste, sul e centro-oeste. A VD foi mais frequente em adolescentes e na fase adulta. A VD tem aumentado gradativamente nos últimos anos. O governo brasileiro ainda precisa avançar em termos de legislação e planos de ação, no intuito de combater o crescente problema da violência.