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Resumo Fundamento: A fibrilação atrial é um problema de saúde pública associado com um risco cinco vezes maior de acidente vascular cerebral e mortalidade. A análise de custos é importante para a introdução de novas terapias, e deve ser reconsiderada em situações especiais, tais como a pandemia do coronavírus em 2020. Objetivo: Avaliar os custos (em um período de um ano) relacionados à terapia anticoagulante e a qualidade de vida de pacientes com fibrilação atrial tratados em um hospital público universitário. Métodos: Os custos do paciente foram aqueles relacionados à anticoagulação e calculados pela média de custos mensais da varfarina ou de anticoagulantes orais diretos (DOACs). As despesas não médicas, como alimentação e transporte, foram calculadas a partir de dados obtidos de questionários. O questionário brasileiro SF-6D foi usado para medir a qualidade de vida. Valores p

Objective. To analyze the value judgments behind cost–benefit tradeoffs made by health stakeholders in deciding whether or not to incorporate new health technologies and how they should be financed and allocated in limited-resource settings in Brazil. Method. From June 2009 to January 2010, a sample of stakeholders in the public and private health sector was identified and invited to complete an online survey consisting of two questionnaires: one collecting socio-demographic/professional information and one capturing resource allocation preferences in four hypothetical scenarios for the incorporation of new health technologies. Results. A total of 193 respondents completed the survey; more than half were male (53.9%) and the most common age group was 31–40 years (36.8%). Scenario 1 (incorporation of a new drug treatment for chronic disease, by reducing/eliminating resources for existing programs) was rejected by 49.2% of the survey sample, who preferred to maintain the status quo for existing programs. Scenario 2 (incorporation of the same new treatment, but financed by a new tax) was rejected by 58.0%. Scenario 3 (incorporation of a new treatment for a highly lethal disease, by age group—20–75 years versus 75+ years—by reducing/eliminating resources for existing programs), was rejected by 42.0%, while 20.7% supported allocations for both groups, 34.2% supported allocations exclusively for the 20–75-year age group, and 3.1% supported allocations exclusively for the 75+ year age group. For Scenario 4, which consisted of five different resource allocations for prevention and treatment programs for another highly lethal disease, the most preferred option (chosen by 50.8% of respondents) was 75%:25% (­prevention versus treatment). Conclusions. When incorporating a new health technology requires reducing/eliminating other health programs, financing it through a tax, or having to choose certain age groups (e.g., younger, working people versus older people), respondents are likely to reject it. When offered the choice of limiting the scope of the program (e.g., prevention versus treatment), respondents are likely to favor prevention. This was the first study in Brazil to capture value judgments that affect stakeholder decision-making on various resource allocations for different scenarios for health technology introduction in limited-resource settings. Future research should investigate the perspective of society as a whole to determine the best approach for decision-making based on common values and consensus within a particular health care system.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the direct medical costs of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) to the National Brazilian Health-Care System (NBHCS) and quantify the contribution of each individual component to the total cost. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional, nationwide multicentre study was conducted between 2008 and 2010 in 28 public clinics in 20 Brazilian cities. The study included 3180 patients with T1DM (mean age 22 years ± 11.8) who were surveyed while receiving health care from the NBHCS. The mean duration of their diabetes was 10.3 years (± 8.0). The costs of tests and medical procedures, insulin pumps, and supplies for administration, and supplies for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) were obtained from national and local health system sources for 2010-2011. Annual direct medical costs were derived by adding the costs of medications, supplies, tests, medical consultations, procedures and hospitalizations over the year preceding the interview. FINDINGS: The average annual direct medical cost per capita was 1319.15 United States dollars (US$). Treatment-related expenditure - US$ 1216.33 per patient per year - represented 92.20% of total direct medical costs. Insulin administration supplies and SMBG (US$ 696.78 per patient per year) accounted for 52.82% of these total costs. Together, medical procedures and haemodialysis accounted for 5.73% (US$ 75.64 per patient per year) of direct medical costs. Consultations accounted for 1.94% of direct medical costs (US$ 25.62 per patient per year). CONCLUSION: Health technologies accounted for most direct medical costs of T1DM. These data can serve to reassess the distribution of resources for managing T1DM in Brazil's public health-care system.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A incidência de cólica renal tem aumentado nos países em desenvolvimento por diversos fatores e leva o indivíduo ao serviço de emergência em função da necessidade de alívio da dor aguda e intensa que esta provoca. O impacto econômico do diagnóstico e tratamento em caráter emergencial é desconhecido em nosso meio. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o custo do diagnóstico e tratamento da cólica renal em serviço de emergência privado e as variáveis que influenciam neste custo. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo em que foram analisados os prontuários de pacientes atendidos com cólica renal entre agosto e setembro de 2010 em um serviço de emergência privado de São Paulo. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 136 prontuários de pacientes de ambos os sexos, com idade média de 39 anos, 52% com antecedente de cálculo e 30% com outras comorbidades. A escada analgésica da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) foi utilizada em 48% dos casos. O custo total foi em média R$453,62 e a influência do tempo de permanência do paciente no custo foi significante. CONCLUSÃO: O custo foi bastante variado, tendo em vista o estudo ter sido realizado em uma instituição privada, com fontes pagadoras diversas. O tempo de permanência do paciente no serviço de emergência foi a única variável com significância estatística em relação ao aumento dos custos. Estratégias eficazes de tratamento e qualidade assistencial, que reduzam o tempo de permanência do paciente no serviço de emergência poderão refletir na redução dos custos do atendimento.

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions of opinion-leaders, patients and their accompanying family members or carers about generic drugs. Three groups of participants were surveyed: (i) 50 customers while they were visiting commercial pharmacies located in São Paulo city, Brazil, (ii) 25 patients and 25 companions while they were waiting at the university outpatient clinic, and (iii) 50 healthcare opinion-leaders from government, hospitals, health plans, academia, and pharmaceutical companies. The questions explored socio-demographic characteristics and perceptions regarding value attributes of generic drugs compared to brand name drugs. Respondents had an average age of 52 years and 53% were women. Respondents believed generic drugs to be cheaper than brand name drugs (97%), and 31% thought generic drugs to be less effective than brand name drugs. Also, generic drugs were perceived by 54% of respondents to be as safe as brand name drugs and 74% would prefer brand name drugs if there was no price difference. In conclusion, multiple factors may contribute to the decision to buy generic drugs; among these, perceived effectiveness, safety and price appear to be the most important factors.

The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life in the Brazilian adult population, based on the U.S. standard population. It involved a cross-sectional population-based study with probabilistic sampling of 2,420 individuals (725 men and 1695 women) aged 40 or more in different geographic regions of Brazil. A socio-demographic questionnaire and the SF-8 (Short Form-8) were administered in interview form. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, the Mann-Whitney test and Tukey's test were used in the analysis. Females, populations in the northeastern region, the population of the regions of Brasília (Distrito Federal), Campo Grande (Mato Grosso do Sul State) and Goiania (Goiás State), Brazil, demonstrated worse quality of life. Age, education and income had influence over quality of life domains. This study presents quality of life estimates for the Brazilian adult population, based on the SF-8 questionnaire. The mean values on the subscales and components of the SF-8 appeared to be influenced by gender, geographic region, family income, age and schooling.Avaliar a qualidade de vida da população adulta brasileira, com base em normas populacionais norte-americanas. Estudo transversal de base populacional, por amostragem probabilística. Dois mil, quatrocentos e vinte indivíduos (725 homens e 1.695 mulheres) com idade de 40 anos ou mais foram avaliados em diferentes regiões geográficas brasileiras. Um questionário sociodemográfico e o SF-8 (Short Form-8) foram aplicados através de entrevista. Estatísticas descritivas, a análise de variância (ANOVA), o teste de Mann-Whitney e o teste de Tukey foram utilizados. O sexo feminino, a população da Região Nordeste e de Brasília (Distrito Federal), Goiânia (Goiás) e Campo Grande (Mato Grosso do Sul) apresentaram os piores níveis de qualidade de vida. A idade, a escolaridade e a renda familiar influenciaram negativamente vários domínios de qualidade de vida. O presente estudo apresenta estimativas de qualidade de vida, baseadas no SF-8, para a população adulta brasileira. As médias dos domínios e componentes sumários do SF-8 parecem sofrer influência do sexo, da região geográfica, da renda familiar, da idade e da escolaridade dos participantes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess direct medical costs associated with schizophrenia relapses in mental health services. METHODS: The study was conducted in three health facilities in the city of São Paulo: a public state hospital; a Brazilian National Health System (SUS)-contracted hospital; and a community mental health center. Medical records of 90 patients with schizophrenia who received care in 2006 were reviewed. Information on inpatient expenditures was collected and used for cost estimates. RESULTS: Mean direct medical cost of schizophrenia relapses per patient was US$ 4,083.50 (R$ 8,167.58) in the public state hospital; US$ 2,302.76 (R$ 4,605.46) in the community mental health center; and US$ 1,198.50 (R$ 2,397.74) in the SUS-affiliated hospital. The main component was daily inpatient room rates (87% - 98%). Medication costs varied depending on the use of typical or atypical antipsychotic drugs. Atypical antipsychotic drugs were more often used in the community mental health center. CONCLUSIONS: Costs associated with schizophrenia relapses support investments in antipsychotic drugs and strategies to reduce disease relapse and the need for mental health inpatient services. Treating patients in a community mental health center was associated with medium costs and added the benefit of not depriving these patients from family life.OBJETIVO: Evaluar el costo directo médico-hospitalario de la recaída en esquizofrenia, en servicios en salud mental. MÉTODOS: Estudio conducido en tres servicios de salud de la ciudad de Sao Paulo (Sureste de Brasil): un hospital público estatal, un hospital contratado en convenio con el Sistema Único de Salud, y un centro de atención psicosocial. Se analizaron 90 prontuarios de pacientes portadores de esquizofrenia atendidos durante el año de 2006. Los recursos utilizados durante la permanencia de los pacientes en los servicios fueron obtenidos y valorados para cálculos de las estimaciones. RESULTADOS: El costo directo médico-hospitalario promedio de la recaída en esquizofrenia, por paciente, fue de US$ 4,083.50 (R$ 8.167,58) en el hospital público estatal; US$ 2,302.76 (R$ 4.605,46) en el centro de atención psicosocial y de US$ 1,198.50 (R$ 2.397,74) en el hospital con convenio. El principal componente fue el costo por día (87% a 98%). El costo con medicación difirió con relación a la utilización de antipsicóticos típicos o atípicos, siendo mayor en el centro de atención psicosocial, el mayor uso de atípicos. CONCLUSIONES: La inversión en medicamentos antipsióticos y en estrategias que disminuyan la recaída y la necesidad de pagos diarios en los servicios, especialmente hospitalarios, son justificables por la proporción de los costos que estas representan. Tratar la recaída en el centro de atención psicosocial presentó un costo intermedio, con el beneficio de no privar al paciente de la convivencia familiar.OBJETIVO: Avaliar o custo direto médico-hospitalar da recaída em esquizofrenia, em serviços em saúde mental. MÉTODOS: Estudo conduzido em três serviços de saúde da cidade de São Paulo: um hospital público estadual, um hospital contratado conveniado ao Sistema Único de Saúde e um centro de atenção psicossocial. Foram analisados 90 prontuários de pacientes portadores de esquizofrenia atendidos durante o ano de 2006. Os recursos utilizados durante a permanência dos pacientes nos serviços foram obtidos e valorados para cálculos das estimativas. RESULTADOS: O custo direto médico-hospitalar médio da recaída em esquizofrenia, por paciente, foi de R$ 8.167,58 (US$ 4,083.50) no hospital público estadual, R$ 4.605,46 (US$ 2,302.76) no centro de atenção psicossocial e de R$ 2.397,74 (US$ 1,198.50) no hospital conveniado. O principal componente foi o custo com diárias (87% a 98%). O custo com medicação diferiu quanto à utilização de antipsicóticos típicos ou atípicos. O uso de atípicos foi maior no centro de atenção psicossocial. CONCLUSÕES: O investimento em medicações antipsicóticas e em estratégias que diminuam a recaída e a necessidade de diárias nos serviços, especialmente hospitalares, são justificáveis pela proporção dos custos que estas representam. Tratar a recaída no centro de atenção psicossocial apresentou um custo intermediário, com o benefício de não privar o paciente do convívio familiar.

The objective of the study was to estimate the frequency of recurrent falls and identify the main associated risk factors. The BRAZOS is the first epidemiological study performed on a representative sample of the Brazilian population. Anthropometric data, living habits, previous fractures, falls, dietary intake, physical activity and quality of life were evaluated in 2,420 individuals aged 40 and older. Recurrent falls were reported by 15.5% of men and 25.6% of women. Among women, the risk factors significantly associated to recurrent falls were age, previous fracture, sedentary lifestyle, poor quality of life, diabetes mellitus and current use of benzodiazepine. In men, the risk factors were age, poor quality of life, intake of alcoholic beverages, diabetes mellitus, previous fracture and use of benzodiazepine. A greater intake of vitamin D had a protector effect on the risk of recurrent falls. These findings demonstrated the high prevalence of recurrent falls and emphasize that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to minimize recurrent falls and their consequences, including osteoporotic fractures.Estimar a freqüência de quedas recorrentes e identificar os principais fatores de risco associados. O BRAZOS é o primeiro estudo epidemiológico realizado em amostragem representativa da população brasileira. Dados antropométricos, hábitos de vida, fratura prévia, quedas, dieta, atividade física e qualidade de vida foram avaliados em 2.420 indivíduos adultos. Quedas recorrentes foram referidas por 15,5% dos homens e 25,6% das mulheres. Nas mulheres, os fatores de risco associados com quedas recorrentes foram idade, fratura prévia, sedentarismo, pior qualidade de vida, diabete mellitus e uso atual de benzodiazepínicos. Nos homens, foram idade, pior qualidade de vida, consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, diabete mellitus, fratura prévia e uso atual de benzodiazepínicos. Maior ingestão de vitamina D desempenhou efeito protetor sobre o risco de quedas recorrentes. Esses achados demonstram elevada prevalência de quedas recorrentes e enfatizam a necessidade de uma abordagem multidisciplinar a fim de minimizá-las bem como de suas conseqüências como as fraturas por osteoporose.

CONTEXT: Experimental and clinical studies suggest that LOLA may have a favorable influence on hepatic encephalopathy due to the effect on the reduction of ammonia, and improvement of the symptoms and laboratory findings. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and to critically analyze the efficacy and/or effectiveness results of the use of LOLA when compared to placebo in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. DATA SOURCES: LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE, PubMed database and Cochrane Collaboration Register of Controlled Trials were searched from 1966 to September of 2006. The review has included all the randomized controlled double-blind clinical trials performed in humans in English language. RESULTS: Four studies published between 1993 and 2000 were selected and reviewed. LOLA was showed as being able to reduce hyperammonemia in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, when compared to patients in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Although the trials have shown efficacy of LOLA in reducing hyperammonemia of hepatic encephalopathy, sufficient evidence of a significant beneficial effect of LOLA on patients with hepatic encephalopathy was not found. The studies performed in this area were small, with short follow-up periods and half of them showed low methodological quality.CONTEXTO: Estudos experimentais e clínicos sugerem que a L-ornitina-L-aspartato pode ter uma influência favorável na encefalopatia hepática em virtude do seu efeito na redução da amônia, e melhora dos sintomas e achados laboratoriais. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar e analisar criticamente os estudos de eficácia e/ou efetividade do uso de L-ornitina-L-aspartato quando comparado com placebo no tratamento da encefalopatia hepática. FONTES DE INFORMAÇÃO: Foram pesquisadas as bases de dados LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE, PubMed e o Registro de Ensaios Controlados da Colaboração Cochrane no período de 1966 até setembro de 2006. A revisão incluiu todos os ensaios clínicos controlados randomizados, duplo-cego, em seres humanos, no idioma inglês. RESULTADOS: Foram selecionados e revisados quatro estudos publicados entre 1993 e 2000, que mostraram que a L-ornitina-L-aspartato foi capaz de reduzir a hiperamonemia em portadores de encefalopatia hepática, quando comparados ao grupo que utilizou placebo. CONCLUSÕES: Embora os estudos tenham demonstrado eficácia da L-ornitina-L-aspartato em reduzir a hiperamonemia da encefalopatia hepática, não foi encontrada evidência suficiente que a L-ornitina-L-aspartato tenha um efeito clínico benéfico significativo em pacientes com encefalopatia hepática. Os ensaios realizados neste campo foram pequenos com períodos curtos de acompanhamento e a metade deles com baixa qualidade metodológica.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a cross-cultural adaptation of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire into Brazilian-Portuguese and to assess its measurement properties. INTRODUCTION: This instrument is an outcome measure with 10 domains with scores ranging from 0-100, worst to best, respectively. The translated instrument will improve the examinations and foot care of rheumatoid arthritis patients. METHODS: The questions were translated, back-translated, evaluated by a multidisciplinary committee and pre-tested (n = 40 rheumatoid arthritis subjects). The new version was submitted to a field test (n = 65) to evaluate measurement properties such as test-retest reliability, internal consistency and construct validity. The Health Assessment Questionnaire, Numeric Rating Scale for foot pain and Sharp/van der Heijde scores for foot X-rays were used to test the construct validity. RESULTS: The cross-cultural adaptation was completed with minor wording adaptations from the original instrument. The evaluation of measurement properties showed high reliability with low variation coefficients between interviews. The a-Cronbach coefficients varied from 0.468 to 0.855, while correlation to the Health Assessment Questionnaire and Numeric Rating Scale was statistically significant for five out of eight domains. DISCUSSION: Intra- and inter-observer correlations showed high reliability. Internal consistency coefficients were high for all domains, revealing higher values for less subjective domains. As for construct validity, each domain revealed correlations with a specific group of parameters according to what the domains intended to measure. CONCLUSION: The FHSQ was cross-culturally adapted, generating a reliable, consistent, and valid instrument that is useful for evaluating foot health in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

FUNDAMENTO: Stents farmacológicos representam opção adicional para o tratamento da doença arterial coronariana. Essa tecnologia representa importante inovação, para a qual pode ser necessário financiamento adicional, no curto prazo, para permitir incorporação no Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro. OBJETIVOS: Estimar o impacto da incorporação do stent farmacológico no orçamento do Sistema Único de Saúde, no primeiro ano de utilização. MÉTODOS: Foi elaborado um modelo de impacto no orçamento para prever o impacto econômico da incorporação dos stents farmacológicos no orçamento do Sistema Único de Saúde. Foram coletados dados de custo e procedimentos locais de várias fontes, mais especificamente: dados de volume de procedimentos, custos hospitalares, custos dos stents, custos de medicamentos e número de stents utilizados por procedimentos uni e multivasculares. RESULTADOS: Os resultados no primeiro ano indicam que o impacto no Sistema Único de Saúde é de 12,8% no cenário conservador e de 24,4% no pior cenário, representando aumento de R$ 24 milhões a R$ 44 milhões no orçamento total projetado. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de stent farmacológico tem custo adicional comparativamente ao uso de stent convencional, no primeiro ano de utilização, no Sistema Único de Saúde.BACKGROUND: Drug-eluting stents represent an additional option to treat coronary artery disease. This technology represents a major breakthrough that may require additional funding in the short-term to enable its inclusion in procedures of the Unified Health System. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the impact on the Unified Health System budget in the first year of use of drug-eluting stents. METHODS: A Budget Impact Model was designed to predict the economic impact of the inclusion of drug-eluting stents in the Unified Health System budget. Data about costs and local procedures were collected in multiple sources, specifically procedure volume data, hospital costs, cost of stents, drug costs and number of stents used in single and multi-vessel procedures. RESULTS: The results in the first year indicate that the impact on the Unified Health System is of 12.8% in the best scenario and 24.4% in the worst scenario, representing an increase by R$ 24 to 44 million in the total projected budget. CONCLUSION: Drug-eluting stents have an additional cost compared with standard stents in the first year of use in the Unified Health System.

The aim of this study is to develop a Portuguese version of the OHIP-49 to be used in Brazil. The adopted methodology involves translation, back-translation, revision of the first version, cultural adaptation and evaluation of its measurement properties. The questionnaire was administered in interviews with 60 year-old and older Brazilian people. The Kendall-tau correlation coefficient was used to assess reproducibility; the Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to verify internal consistency and the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to assess validity. Reproducibility was shown to be statistically significant, with coefficients ranging from 0.72 to 0.74 between dimensions of three interviews. The Cronbach alpha coefficients were 0.96 and 0.90 respectively for the dimensions of the interviews and for total items. Constructive validity, demonstrated through a comparison between the questionnaire dimensions and the clinical parameters, showed statistical significance for "presence of carious lesion" (p < 0.05). Significant correlations between similar dimensions of the OHIP-49 and the SF-36 were also identified (p < 0.05). In the present sample, the Portuguese version of the OHIP-49 presented results similar to those found in the literature and proved to be a reproducible and valid parameter for evaluating the impact of oral conditions on the quality of life of Brazilians.O objetivo deste estudo é desenvolver uma versão na língua portuguesa do OHIP-49 para ser utilizado no Brasil. A metodologia utilizada consiste de tradução, tradução de volta e revisão da tradução inicial, adaptação cultural e avaliação das propriedades de medida. O questionário foi aplicado, por meio de entrevistas, em brasileiros com 60 ou mais anos. Utilizou-se o coeficiente de correlação Kendall-tau para testar reprodutibilidade, coeficiente alfa de Cronbach para consistência interna e testes de Kruskal-Wallis e Mann-Whitney para validação. A reprodutibilidade demonstrou ser estatisticamente significante, com os coeficientes variando de 0,72 a 0,74, entre as dimensões de três entrevistas. Os coeficientes alfa de Cronbach foram iguais a 0,96 e 0,90, para as dimensões das entrevistas e para o total de itens, respectivamente. A validade construtiva, demonstrada pela comparação das dimensões do questionário com os parâmetros clínicos apresentou-se estatisticamente significante para "presença de lesão cariosa" (p < 0,05). Foram identificadas correlações significantes entre dimensões similares do OHIP-49 e do SF-36 (p < 0,05). Nesta amostra, a versão em português do OHIP-49 apresentou resultados semelhantes aos da literatura, demonstrou ser um parâmetro reprodutível e válido para avaliar impactos das condições bucais na qualidade de vida de brasileiros.

A necessidade da incorporação das preferências dos pacientes nas tomadas de decisão é uma realidade da assistência médica contemporânea, que caracteriza a medicina baseada em preferências. Os apoios de decisão são instrumentos que surgem como mecanismos de auxílio ao médico a expor riscos e benefícios de uma determinada tomada de decisão, sendo um mecanismo facilitador para a decisão compartilhada. Na literatura médica, particularmente em reumatologia, nota-se um emergente interesse pelo estudo das preferências dos pacientes nos ensaios clínicos. Este artigo de revisão tem por objetivo conceituar e caracterizar os apoios de decisão e suas implicações na pesquisa e prática clínicas, bem como ressaltar os princípios metodológicos necessários para a sua utilização e desenvolvimento.Patient preferences in decision making is one reality of the medical assistance, which characterizes the value based medicine. The decision aids are instruments that appear as support mechanisms for the doctor to exercise this model of decision making. In medical literature, particularly in rheumatology, an emergent interest on patient's preference study is noticed in clinical trials. The aim of this article is to appraise and to characterize the decision aids and its implications in the practical research and clinics, as well as standing out the necessary methodology principles for its use and development.

OBJETIVO: descrever o perfil sociodemográfico, clínico-laboratorial e terapêutico dos pacientes com artrite reumatóide (AR) do ambulatório de reumatologia da Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM-UNIFESP) que participaram de teses de pós-graduação no período de 25 anos, compreendido entre 1979 e 2004. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: teses que avaliaram pacientes com AR da EPM. Exclusão: teses que incluíram pacientes de outras instituições ou com outras doencas. Classificação dos estudos: conforme o período de conclusão - I (1979-1984); II (1985-1989); III (1990-1994); IV (1995-1999); V (2000-2004) - e tipo de estudo (pesquisa básica; reabilitação; radiologia; qualidade de vida; epidemiologia e economia de saúde). RESULTADOS: Foram selecionadas 26 de 65 teses. Houve um predomínio de pesquisa básica (7 teses) nos três primeiros períodos, seguidos por reabilitação (6 teses) e de qualidade de vida (5 teses). Demografia: média de idade de 52 anos, predomínio do sexo feminino e raça branca. A escolaridade, avaliada em 5 estudos (qualidade de vida e economia de saúde), apresentou nível médio e superior de ensino nos últimos períodos. A classificação funcional (CF) foi pesquisada em 11 estudos, com maior prevalência da CF II. Tratamento: predomínio do uso de antiinflamatórios não-esteroidais (AINEs) e corticóides nos períodos I a III e, nos períodos III e V, de drogas modificadoras de atividade de doença (DMARDs), especialmente de metotrexato (MTX). CONCLUSÕES: observou-se alteração no nível de escolaridade e predomínio dos estudos de pesquisa básica, reabilitação e qualidade de vida. Houve preferência inicial pelos AINEs e, atualmente, pelos DMARDs.OBJECTIVE: To analyse the clinical, laboratory, treatment and social progress of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who attend at Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM-UNIFESP), Brazil, submitted to researching theses from 1979 to September, 2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 65 researches theses were reviewed and 26 were selected according inclusion/exclusion criterias. Inclusion: researches which analysed outpatients with RA belonging to EPM ambulatory. Exclusion: researches which included outpatients from other institutions or diseases. Classifications of the studies: a) period of conclusion: I (1979-1984); II (1985-1989); III (1990-1994); IV (1995-1999); V (2000-2004); b) type of the study: laboratory; rehabilitation; radiology; epidemiology; quality of life; health economics. RESULTS: Twenty six thesis out of 65 were suitable for analysis there was a predominance of basic research (7 thesis) on the first three periods, followed by reabilitation research (6 thesis) and measurement of quality of life (5 thesis). Concerning demographic data, patients were in average, 52 years old with prevalence of white females. High levels of schooling were noted for the last periods analysed. Patients functinal class were evaluated in 11 studies, with a predominance of functinal class II. Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of RA have changed significantly, showing DMARDs in the therapeutic options. CONCLUSIONS: The demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic characteristics changed along time and type of this study developed. Initially there was a preference for NSAIDs, and nowadays for DMARDs.

O laboratório clínico, munido de um sistema de informática que costumeiramente operacionaliza suas rotinas e atua como um importante arquivo de dados e informações, pode utilizar-se deste como uma ferramenta que seria de grande utilidade para o cálculo e a gestão do custo real dos exames e demais procedimentos que realiza. Os sistemas implementados no momento, entretanto, segundo os dados obtidos junto a nove laboratórios situados na cidade de São Paulo, são tidos por seus usuários como inadequados a esta finalidade. As opiniões a respeito foram as mesmas, independentemente do tempo em que o sistema encontra-se em operação, de sua procedência, do porte do laboratório, do tipo de atendimento que pratica, de sua situação econômico-financeira, de seu grau de automação, da formação profissional dos gestores e dos recursos que têm disponíveis.The computer system generally used in clinical laboratories in the acomplishment of their routines, as an important archive of data and information, can also be used as a tool that would be of great utility for the assessment and the management of the real cost of exams and other procedures. The systems implemented at the moment, however, according to nine laboratories of the city of São Paulo, are considered by its users as inadequate to this purpose. The opinions were the same independently of the system operation time, its origin, type of attendance, economic situation, degree of automation, professional formation of managers or of available resources.

OBJETIVO: avaliar condutas tomadas pelos reumatologistas de todo Brasil frente a situações clínicas comuns na prática do dia-a-dia. MÉTODO: cenários clínicos fictícios sobre várias doenças reumáticas foram montados, com perguntas objetivas acerca do tratamento. Os questionários foram enviados aos 831 sócios com títulos de especialistas pela Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia (SBR), com envelope selado para envio das respostas. RESULTADOS: a taxa média de devolução dos questionários foi de apenas 21,4%. A média de idade (DP) dos reumatologistas respondedores foi de 42,7 anos (DP=11,7), com tempo médio de formados de 19,8 anos (DP=10,1). No cenário clínico sobre artrite reumatóide (AR) de início recente em atividade, a maioria dos colegas (84,7%) tratava inicialmente o paciente com prednisona ou prednisolona. As drogas modificadoras da doença mais escolhidas foram metotrexato (84,2%) e cloroquina (63,8%). Quatro médicos (2,8%) escolheram os agentes biológicos (infliximabe e etanercepte) como droga de primeira escolha no tratamento inicial da doença. A profilaxia para osteoporose induzida pelo corticóide com suplementação de cálcio e vitamina D só foi orientada por 61,2% e 46,5% dos reumatologistas, respectivamente. No cenário clínico de um paciente com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES), a grande maioria dos colegas optou pelo tratamento com corticóide oral (93,7%), cloroquina (92,5%) e fotoproteção (93,7%). Na presença de nefrite lúpica caracterizada com preservação da função renal e níveis pressóricos normais, a conduta mais escolhida foi pulsoterapia de corticóide (47,7%) ou prednisona oral em altas doses. Pulsoterapia de ciclofosfamida foi escolhida por 34,6% dos reumatologistas. No cenário sobre lombalgia aguda mecânico-postural, sem sinais de alarme, 55,4% dos colegas não solicitavam nenhum exame na abordagem inicial e as drogas mais escolhidas para o tratamento foram: antiinflamatórios não-hormonais (AINHs) (89,3%), relaxante muscular (72,9%), fisioterapia (33,3%). O repouso no leito foi orientado por 31,6% dos especialistas. Num caso de lombalgia crônica com raio X recente mostrando espondilolistese grau 1 e discoartrose, 39,6% dos reumatologistas não solicitavam nenhum exame adicional, enquanto 26,2% e 24,4% solicitavam tomografia computadorizada (TC) e ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM), respectivamente. As condutas mais indicadas nesse caso foram: fisioterapia (75,1%), relaxante muscular (48,5%), RPG (45,6%), exercícios físicos (41%), AINH seletivo da Cox-2 (40,5%), amitriptilina (35,3%), analgésicos opióides (34,7%). Outros cenários de artrose de joelho e ombro doloroso foram apresentados. CONCLUSÕES: a baixa taxa de devolução dos questionários pode refletir uma prática ainda não-incorporada na nossa cultura. O perfil dos reumatologistas respondedores é muito semelhante entre as regiões. A maioria das condutas escolhidas está de acordo com as melhores evidências disponíveis, refletindo uma homogeneidade de abordagem terapêutica entre os reumatologistas. Embora este estudo traga importantes dados sobre a prática reumatológica, pode não ser representativo da população de reumatologistas brasileiros, tendo em vista o baixo percentual de respondedores.OBJECTIVE: Evaluate routine clinical practices of Brazilian rheumatologists. METHOD: Virtual clinical scenarios representing a range of rheumatological practical situations were sent by mail to 831 specialists certified by the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (SBR) with postage-paid envelopes for reply. RESULTS: Only 21.4% of the questionnaires were returned. The average age of responding rheumatologists was 42.7 years (SD=11.7), with an average time since graduation from medical school of 19.8 years (SD=10.1). In a clinical scenario describing early active rheumatoid arthritis most respondents (84.7%) chose to initiate treatment with prednisone or prednisolone. The most chosen disease modifying antirheumatic drugs were methotrexate (84,2%) and chloroquine (63.8%). Four rheumatologists (2.8%) indicated biological agents (infliximab and etanercept) as their initial choice of treatment. Prophylaxis for corticoid-induced osteoporosis and calcium and vitamin D supplementation were recommended by only 61.2% and 46.5% of the respondents, respectively. In a clinical scenario describing systemic lupus erythematosus, almost all doctors prescribed oral corticoids (93.7%), chloroquine (92.5%) and photoprotection (93.7%). In the presence of lupus nephritis with unimpaired renal function and normal blood pressure levels, the most frequently adopted management was pulse therapy with corticoids (47.7%) or high doses of oral prednisone. Pulsetherapy with cyclophosphamide was indicated by 34.6% of the respondents. In a clinical scenario describing acute mechanical back pain without alarming signs, 55.4% stated that they would request no laboratory examinations on the first encounter and the main treatments of choice were non-hormonal antiinflammatory drugs (89.3%), muscle relaxant drugs (72.9%) and physical therapy (33.3%). Bed rest was recommended by 31.6% of the respondents. In a clinical scenario describing chronic back pain with recent X-ray showing first degree spondylolisthesis and disc arthrosis, 39.6% of the rheumatologists stated that they would not request additional examinations, while 26.2% and 24.4% would request computer tomography scans and magnetic resonance scans, respectively. The most frequently prescribed treatments were physical therapy (75.1%), muscle relaxant drugs (48.5%), RPG (45.6%), physical exercise (41%), Cox-2-selective non-hormonal antiinflammatory drugs (40.5%), amitriptyline (35.3%) and opioid analgesics (34.7%). The questionnaire also included scenarios describing knee arthrosis and shoulder pain. CONCLUSION: The low rate of response from rheumatologists may be associated with aspects of Brazilian culture. In fact, respondents displayed a very similar profile throughout the country. Most of the prescribed treatments agree with available evidence and reflect a homogeneous approach to rheumatological disease among professionals. However, although the present study has provided interesting information regarding clinical practices, the small number of respondents may not be particularly representative of the population of Brazilian rheumatologists.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Portuguese version of the Women's Health Questionnaire. METHODS: In order to evaluate the Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ), an analytical cross-sectional study was carried out at the women's menopause outpatient clinic of a university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. There were studied 87 women in perimenopause or menopause, defined as experiencing at least one year's absence of menstrual flow. The following variables were collected: demographic data, clinical variables (Kupperman index and correlate numeric scale) and quality of life indexes (SF-36 and utility). RESULTS: The WHQ proved to be a questionnaire easily translated into Portuguese and well-adjusted to Brazilian women. The internal consistency of the overall WHQ was excellent (Cronbach alpha =0.83; 95% CI: 0.71-0.91). Test-retest reliability was also excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.92; 95% IC: 0.86-0.96) and had good absolute agreement (0.84; 95% CI: 0.71-0.92). A satisfactory clinical validity was observed. The construct validity was corroborated by clear associations with others scales. A good index of responsiveness after the intervention was reached. CONCLUSIONS: The Portuguese version of the WHQ is of easy and fast administration and understanding. Its measuring properties were related, allowing its use in the evaluation of Brazilian climacteric women's quality of life for various purposes.OBJETIVO: Validar para o português o instrumento de avaliação de qualidade de vida no climatério, Women's Health Questionnaire. MÉTODOS: Para avaliação do Women's Health Questionnaire, foi realizado estudo transversal analítico no ambulatório de assistência ao climatério de um hospital universitário do Município de São Paulo. Foram estudadas 87 mulheres na peri-menopausa ou menopausa, definida como ao menos um ano sem apresentar fluxo menstrual, e analisadas as seguintes variáveis: demográficas, índices clínicos (índice menopausal de Kuppermann, e escala numérica correlata) índices de qualidade de vida (SF-36, e utility). RESULTADOS: A consistência interna do WHQ traduzido foi muito boa (Coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach =0,83 IC 95%: 0,71-0,91), assim como a correlação intra-classe (teste-reteste =0,92; IC 95%: 0.86-0,96), e boa concordância absoluta (0,84; IC 95%: 0,71-0,92). Sua validade de construto foi corroborada pela boa associação com outras escalas. A validade clínica foi considerada satisfatória e um bom índice de sensibilidade após intervenção foi alcançado. CONCLUSÕES: A versão para o português do Women's Health Questionnaire é de fácil e rápida aplicação e compreensão. Suas propriedades de medida foram avaliadas e provadas podendo ser utilizada para a avaliação da qualidade de vida das mulheres brasileiras no climatério, para vários objetivos.

OBJETIVO: Descrever custo direto e indireto do tratamento ambulatorial e hospitalar da insuficiência cardíaca, durante 2002, no Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Niterói. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, retrospectivo sobre utilização e valoração de recursos em 70 pacientes, selecionados de forma consecutiva, em tratamento ambulatorial e hospitalar. Foram utilizados questionários e prontuários dos pacientes para coleta dos dados. Os recursos utilizados foram valorados em reais (ano 2002). O ponto de vista do estudo foi a perspectiva da sociedade. Os dados foram analisados no programa EPINFO, versão 2002. RESULTADOS: A população estudada constou de 70 pacientes (39 mulheres), idade média de 60,3 anos. Ocorreram 465 diárias hospitalares (28,5% dos pacientes). Houve 386 internações em enfermaria e 79 em unidade de tratamento intensivo. O custo com consulta ambulatorial foi de R$ 14,40. O gasto com medicamentos ambulatoriais totalizou R$ 83.430,00 (custo por paciente/ano de R$ 1.191,86). O custo por paciente internado foi de R$ 4.033,62. O custo com exames complementares totalizou R$ 39.009,50 (custo por paciente/ ano de R$ 557,28). Foram aposentados pela insuficiência cardíaca 20 pacientes, representando perda de produtividade de R$ 182.000,00. O custo total foi de R$ 444.445,20. Hospitalização representou 39,7% e a utilização de medicamentos 38,3% do custo direto. CONCLUSÃO: O custo com hospitalização e os gastos com medicamentos representaram os principais componentes do custo direto. Os custos indiretos representaram impactos econômicos semelhantes aos custos diretos.

RACIONAL: A doença de Crohn compõe com a retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica, as doenças inflamatórias intestinais. Têm evolução crônica, gerando repercussões importantes na qualidade de vida dos doentes. Medir esse parâmetro implica na determinação do grau de bem estar subjetivo atribuível à falta de sintomas, ao estado psicológico e atividades que possam ser realizadas, sendo útil como instrumento de avaliação em ensaios clínicos e de programas de saúde. O "Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire" é um instrumento desenvolvido por pesquisadores norte-americanos da McMaster University, que teve sua reprodutibilidade e validade determinada em estudos em outros países, como medida da qualidade de vida em doentes com doença inflamatória intestinal. OBJETIVO: Traduzir o questionário para a língua portuguesa e adaptá-lo à cultura brasileira, verificando suas propriedades psicométricas (validade e reprodutibilidade). MÉTODO: Foi aplicado em uma população de 50 doentes com doença inflamatória intestinal: 24 com doença de Crohn e 26 com retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica. Para testar sua validade de critério, estabeleceram-se comparações com o SF-36, um questionário geral de qualidade de vida e os índices de atividade da doença intestinal, o "Crohn's Disease Activity Index" - para doença de Crohn e o índice de Lichtiger para a retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica. RESULTADOS: As correlações entre os instrumentos utilizados foram em sua maioria, moderadas, sendo que o índice de Lichtiger apresentou melhores correlações que o "Crohn's Disease Activity Index". Avaliando-se a reprodutibilidade, foram obtidos altos coeficientes para correlações intra e interobservador. Através da análise de item-confiabilidade do questionário, encontrou-se alfa de Cronbach = 0,92. CONCLUSÃO: A versão para a língua portuguesa do "Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire" é instrumento válido e reprodutível, podendo ser utilizada na avaliação da qualidade de vida de pacientes brasileiros portadores de doenças inflamatórias intestinais.BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease comprises, together with ulcerative colitis, the inflammatory bowel diseases, which because their morbidity and chronic evolution have a considerable impact on the patient's quality of life. The measurement of quality of life requires the determination of the degree of subjective well-being attributed to the lack of symptoms, to psychological state and daily activity, and is useful as an instrument of evaluation, both in clinical trials and health programs. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire is an instrument developed by North-American investigators of McMaster University which reproducibility and validity has been determined in several countries studies, and has shown its use in the measurement of the quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. AIMS: Our purpose was to translate that instrument into Portuguese language, its adaptation to Brazilian culture and verify its psychometric properties (validity and reproducibility). METHODS: It was applied to a population of 50 inflammatory bowel diseases patients (24 with Crohn's disease, 26 with ulcerative colitis). To test the criteria and construction validity of the instrument's, it was compared with SF-36, a general questionnaire for establishing quality of life, and the Crohn's Disease Activity Index and Lichtiger's Index. RESULTS: The correlations obtained were mostly moderate. About the intestinal diseases activity index, Lichtiger's index showed better correlations than Crohn's Disease Activity Index. To evaluate its reproducibility, the instrument was applied on three occasions, twice by the same observer (12 days average between applications) and once by a second observer, resulting in a high degree of intra- and interobserver correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Portuguese version of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire is a valid and reproducible instrument which can be used to evaluate the quality of life of Brazilian inflammatory bowel diseases patients.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common painful inflammatory condition occurring mainly in the later half of life. Hipe and knee are the joints mostly affected. Petiveria alliacea (tipi) popularly known as an anti-rheumatic medicine, has been used by OA patients to relief pain. This one-week cross-over double-blind trial has preliminary evaluated the analgesic effect of tipi tea in 14 patients with hip and knee OA. Imperata exaltata (sape) was used as the Placebo tea. The pain assessments that were made at baseline and before the start of the second treatment period by treatment groups were comparable. While taking tipi or placebo tea patients experienced a statistically significant improvement in pain on motion and pain at night. The comparison between the improvements reported while on tipi and placebo tea, however, did not disclose any statistically significant difference. At the conclusion of the study 7 patients preferred tipi tea and 6 preferred placebo tea (NS). Two patients reported insomnia, one durign placebo treatment and the other during tipi treatment. In this preliminary report both teas succeeded in the aim of relieving pain.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Around 16% to 20% of women with breast cancer have advanced, metastasized breast cancer. At this stage, the disease is treatable, but not curable. The objective here was to assess the effectiveness of lapatinib for treating patients with advanced or metastasized breast cancer. DESIGN AND SETTING: Systematic review of the literature, developed at Centro Paulista de Economia da Saúde (CPES), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp). METHOD: Systematic review with searches in virtual databases (PubMed, Lilacs [Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde], Cochrane Library, Scirus and Web of Science) and manual search. RESULTS: Only one clinical trial that met the selection criteria was found. This study showed that lapatinib in association with capecitabine reduced the risk of cancer progression by 51% (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.34-0.71; P < 0.001), compared with capecitabine alone, without any increase in severe adverse effects. CONCLUSION: The combination of lapatinib plus capecitabine was more effective than capecitabine alone for reducing the risk of cancer progression. Further randomized clinical trials need to be carried out with the aim of assessing the effectiveness of lapatinib as monotherapy or in association for first-line or second-line treatment of advanced breast cancer.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: It is still difficult to measure work productivity losses caused by health problems. Despite the importance given to this issue over the last few years, most instruments for performing this task are available only in the English language. This study translated the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment _ General Health (WPAI-GH) Questionnaire into Brazilian Portuguese, adapted it cross-culturally and evaluated its reliability and validity. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional survey to test scale reliability and validity, at São Paulo Hospital and the clinic of the Rheumatology division of Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina (Unifesp-EPM). METHODS: Data were obtained from a survey that incorporated the WPAI-GH, short form-36 (SF-36) and some demographic questions. The questionnaires were administered by interview to 100 subjects. RESULTS: Descriptive statistics was used to characterize the subjects. The intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha were used to assess the reliability and internal consistency of the instrument. Intraclass correlation coefficients from 0.79 to 0.90 indicated good reliability. Cronbach's alpha of 0.74 indicated good internal consistency. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess validity. There were significant positive relationships between the WPAI-GH and SF-36. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the WPAI-GH is a reliable and valid measurement tool and may be useful for those who seek to measure the impact on productivity of health problems among populations of Brazilian employees.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Healthcare investments should consider short and long-term demands. The objectives here were to compare the average tenures of ministers of health in Brazil and in another 22 countries and to evaluate the relationship between ministers' tenures and a number of indicators. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive study conducted at Centro Paulista de Economia da Saúde (CPES). METHODS: Twenty-two countries with the highest Human Development Indices (HDIs) and Brazil were included. The number of ministers over the past 20 years was investigated through each country's Ministry of Health website. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to compare the number of ministers in each country with that country's indicators. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare ministers' tenures in Brazil and other countries. RESULTS: The mean tenure (standard deviation, SD) of Brazilian ministers of health was 15 (12) months, a period that is statistically significantly shorter than the mean tenure of 33 (18) months in the other 22 countries (P < 0.05). There was a moderate and statistically significant positive correlation between the number of ministers and mortality rates for several conditions. The number of ministers also presented moderate and statistically significant negative correlations with per capita total healthcare expenditure (r = -0.567) and with per capita government healthcare expenditure (r = -0.530). CONCLUSION: On average, ministers of health have extremely short tenures. There is an urgent need to think and plan healthcare systems from a long-term perspective.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: The health technology assessment (HTA) process has been developed locally. The aim of this study was to describe, analyze and compare the opinions of participants in international health economics symposia about the HTA process used in Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational cross-sectional study at the 2006 and 2008 International Health Economics Symposia, in São Paulo. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was applied. For the statistical analysis, the percentage distribution for each category was calculated, and variables were compared using tests for two-sample proportion hypotheses. RESULTS: Totals of 153 and 74 participants answered the 2006 and 2008 surveys, respectively. The response rate was better for the 2006 survey (67.1%) than for the 2008 survey (31.8%). Most interviewees were between the ages of 30 and 49 years and were managers in the healthcare system. Most of them considered that the current HTA process was incomplete and unable to meet the needs of the healthcare system. They mentioned the government, academia and experts as the three main groups of people who should be involved in the process, and selected efficiency/effectiveness, safety and disease relevance as the three main criteria to be considered in the HTA process. There is a trend towards developing decentralized regionalized HTA processes, with separate assessment and decision-making for the public and private systems. CONCLUSIONS: The HTA concept is well known. Healthcare system players feel that the process has methodological limitations. Additional surveys are needed to track the HTA process and its application in Brazil.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: The Federal Constitution of 1988 allowed the National Congress to contribute towards formulation of new public policies. The objective of this study was to analyze the legislative production that dealt with health issues that was in passage in the National Congress between January 2007 and December 2008. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive-exploratory cross-sectional study with quantitative and qualitative approaches, conducted in a federal university. METHODS: The analysis material for the study comprised 144 draft bills that were classified and subsequently randomly evaluated by 155 professionals working within the healthcare system. RESULTS: The analysis showed that the Workers' Party (PT) and Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) were the parties that presented the largest proportions of the draft bills (12.5% and 11.1%); 25.4% of the draft bills were presented by congress members with academic qualifications within healthcare and only 1.4% of the draft bills became transformed into legal regulations. In questionnaire responses, 51.5% of the evaluators did not consider the draft bills to be viable, 40.6% did not consider them to be relevant and 52.5% said that if the draft bills were not approved it would not be harmful to Brazilian society. CONCLUSION: In analyzing the data from this study, it was noted that the legislative production relating to healthcare was low and the transformation rate from draft bill to legal regulation was negligible. The results from the evaluation showed that the quality of legislative production was impaired.