Publications by authors named "Caroline T Castro"

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate racial disparities in medication use and associated factors among pregnant women receiving prenatal care at Brazilian Unified Health System primary care health units in the northeast region.

Patients And Methods: A total of 1058 pregnant women in the NISAMI Cohort were interviewed between June 2012 and February 2014. Medicines used during pregnancy were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system and ANVISA pregnancy risk categories.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study aims to estimate the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among people living with HIV (PLWHA). A search for observational studies was conducted in five databases and preprinted literature. Summary estimates were pooled using a random effects model and meta-regression.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: () infection has been well-established as a significant risk factor for several gastrointestinal disorders. The urea breath test (UBT) has emerged as a leading non-invasive method for detecting . Despite numerous studies confirming its substantial accuracy, the reliability of UBT results is often compromised by inherent limitations.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The incidence of premature birth has increased worldwide, unequally distributed by race/ethnicity. Racism generates economic inequalities, educational disparities, and differential access to health care, which increases the risk of preterm birth. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with preterm birth and racial and ethnic disparities in premature birth among pregnant women attending prenatal care at the Brazilian Unified Health System health units in the urban area of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The adverse effects of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using tenofovir disoproxil fumarate are barriers to PrEP initiation and continuation. Although serious effects are rare and predictable, evidence for this assessment among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) is still limited. This study assesses the adverse effects of daily oral PrEP in MSM and TGW.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) have a disproportionately higher risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection than other groups. Oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective prevention tool and should be offered to those at higher risk. Identifying demand creation strategies (DCS) and retention strategies (RS) to improve PrEP persistence is essential to control the HIV epidemic.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma (GML) is usually a low-grade B-cell neoplasia strongly associated with ()-induced chronic gastritis. Clinical practice guidelines currently recommend eradication as the preferred initial treatment for early-stage GML. To determine the practical effect of bacterial eradication as the sole initial therapy for early-stage GML, an updated analysis and review of available evidence is imperative.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Melatonin is a potential therapeutic intervention for improving sleep quality in people with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). We investigate the effect of using melatonin as a sleep disorder treatment in people with ASD. Interventionist studies were searched in seven databases.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Studies suggest an association between a gluten-free diet (GFD) and bone health in celiac disease (CD). However, the evidence on this relationship in children and adolescents is limited. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze the effect of GFD on the bone health and anthropometric profile of children and adolescents with CD.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease that affects the synovial fluid of joints, tendons, and some extra-articular sites. Biologic agents have been highly effective and are comparable in reducing RA symptoms, slowing disease progression, and improving physical function; however, concerns have been raised about the risks of several potential adverse effects. Thus, this study aimed to assess the safety of biological therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in observational studies using administrative health databases.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the effectiveness of biological therapy in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by analyzing data from various health databases and focusing on different types of DMARDs.
  • It compares outcomes of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) and non-TNFi drugs, as well as analyzes the effectiveness of biological DMARDs versus Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi).
  • The findings show lower effectiveness of TNFi compared to non-TNFi and bDMARDs compared to JAKi, while adalimumab, etanercept, and golimumab demonstrated better effectiveness than infliximab.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of strategies and types of tests on HIV testing uptake by men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW), and in reaching PLWH. Articles published up to July 2020 were identified from major electronic databases and grey literature. Data were extracted and assessed for risk of bias.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Paracetamol is widely used to manage fever and pain during pregnancy worldwide. However, paracetamol may affect the pregnant woman and fetus, once this drug crosses the placental barrier after therapeutic doses and may impair fetal liver function, affecting fetus growth and development. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between paracetamol use during pregnancy and perinatal outcomes as preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Context: Epidemiological studies suggest an association between vitamin D deficiency and anemia. Evidence of this relationship in pregnant women, however, is scarce.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and gestational anemia through observational studies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: A high number of women are exposed to acetaminophen during pregnancy worldwide. This drug safety during pregnancy regarding preterm birth, birth weight, and fetal development has not been well described. This study investigated the effect of acetaminophen use during pregnancy on selected adverse pregnancy outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To identify in the scientific literature the clinical overview of the pediatric population that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and care recommendations and recommendations among children who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the scientific literature.

Method: Rapid review based on the guidelines of the Joana Briggs Institute: elaboration of the research question, structured search of the literature in April 2020, in nine databases, selection and critical analysis of the eighteen primary studies (using two instruments to assess methodological quality), elaboration of the synthesis, incorporation of suggestions and dissemination.

Result: The most frequent clinical overview was respiratory, gastrointestinal symptoms and fever.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: to discuss in the scientific literature the strategies used to prevent hypothermia in newborns undergoing surgical procedures.

Methods: this is an integrative literature review, with structured search in April and May 2020 in 08 databases, using the descriptors: Hypothermia; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Infant, Newborn; Protocols. Four primary studies were selected and analyzed using three instruments to assess the methodological quality of the Joanna Briggs Institute and content analysis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF