Incidence and reasons for discontinuation of first-line therapy in patients with multiple myeloma: results from a historical cohort, Brazil 2009-2020.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematological cancer requiring multiple lines of anti-myeloma regimens to promote disease remission and increase patient survival. The study assessed the incidence and reasons for discontinuation of first-line therapy in outpatients who started MM therapy in Belo Horizonte, Brazil from 2009 to 2020. A historical cohort study in which patients were followed from treatment initiation until discontinuation of first-line therapy.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of multiple myeloma treatments based on thalidomide and bortezomib: A retrospective cohort study from 2009 to 2020 in a Brazilian metropolis.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable cancer of plasma cells; the survival of which has improved over the years with the emergence of new treatments. In Brazil, the availability of treatment-regimens is different from developed countries. Real-world evidence with Brazilian patients is lacking.

"Real-world" effectiveness of methylphenidate in improving the academic achievement of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnosed students-A systematic review.

What Is Known And Objective: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms usually impairs academic achievement and can trigger the onset of medication. Methylphenidate is a drug widely prescribed to treat ADHD. However, systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials suggest that it does not lead to great improvements in academic performance.

Use of psychotropic drugs among workers on leave due to mental disorders.

Objective: To describe the use of psychotropic drugs among civil servants with registered absenteeism due to mental disorders, and to investigate associations with duration of leave of absence.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with civil servants on leave of absence due to mental disorders, between January and December 2017. Demographic, occupational and clinical variables were extracted from secondary data.

Validation of an Instrument for Measuring Adherence to Treatment With Immunomodulators in Patients With Multiple Myeloma.

Validate the Treatment Adherence Measure (TAM) instrument in outpatients with MM concerning construct validity, reliability and the ceiling and floor effects. This cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with MM previously treated with an immunomodulator for at least one month, aged 18 or over, and followed-up in the investigated outpatient clinics. Adherence to immunomodulators was measured by TAM.

Immediate-release methylphenidate for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by symptoms of inattention or impulsivity or both, and hyperactivity, which affect children, adolescents, and adults. In some countries, methylphenidate is the first option to treat adults with moderate or severe ADHD. However, evidence on the efficacy and adverse events of immediate-release (IR) methylphenidate in the treatment of ADHD in adults is limited and controversial.

Cost analysis of smear microscopy and the Xpert assay for tuberculosis diagnosis: average turnaround time.

Introduction: Rapid and accurate tuberculosis detection is critical for improving patient diagnosis and decreasing tuberculosis transmission. Molecular assays can significantly increase laboratory costs; therefore, the average time and economic impact should be evaluated before implementing a new technology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost and average turnaround time of smear microscopy and Xpert assay at a university hospital.

Osteopenia and osteoporosis among treatment-experienced people living with HIV.

Introduction: Life expectancy of people living with human immunodeficiency (PLHIV) has increased mainly due to the accessibility and effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, adverse effects from long-term use of antiretrovirals, and the physiological changes associated with aging, may compromise the quality of life of PLHIV, in addition to causing new demands on the healthcare system.

Objectives: Estimate the frequency of osteoporosis and osteopenia in patients on prolonged ART and to verify their associated factors.

Prevalence of and factors associated with the use of methylphenidate for cognitive enhancement among university students.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with the use of methylphenidate for cognitive enhancement among undergraduate students.

Methods: Simple random sample of students of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (n=438), invited to answer an online questionnaire about the use of methylphenidate. Data collection occurred from September 2014 to January 2015.

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness and acceptability among trans women: a review.

Transgender (trans) women are disproportionally burdened by the HIV epidemic due to complex structural, psychosocial and biological factors. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a biomedical prevention approach for people at substantial risk of acquiring HIV. This literature review assessed awareness, willingness to use, and barriers and facilitators for PrEP acceptability among trans women.

Primary health care as assessed by health professionals: comparison of the traditional model versus the Family Health Strategy.

Introduction: The Family Health Strategy (FHS) should be first-contact care in the Brazilian Health System. However, Primary Health Care (PHC) still encompasses two models: the FHS and the traditional health care facilities. The expansion of the FHS has been slow and heterogeneous in many cities, rendering a comparative evaluation of key quality-related elements of PHC models crucial.

Adverse reactions to antiretroviral therapy: a prevalent concern.

The risk-benefit ratio of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is usually considered favorable due to the urgent need to control the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Current studies have shown that combined ART (two or more drugs, from two different classes) is the most effective, with benefits that go beyond clinical management of the disease playing a crucial role in preventing HIV transmission. Therefore, early identification of HIV infection followed by immediate initiation of ART has been encouraged worldwide.

Effectiveness of second-line antiretroviral therapy: the impact of drug switches.

Including antiretroviral drug switches as a measure of ART failure could be more suitable than conventional measures to evaluate health outcomes in "real-world" settings. This is part of a historical cohort of HIV-infected adults who initiated ART from 2001-2005, and were followed up for a maximum of five years in three HIV/AIDS centers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Follow-up information included data from 2001-2010.

Incidence and Predictors of Antiretroviral Treatment Modification in HIV-Infected Adults: A Brazilian Historical Cohort from 2001 to 2010.

This study estimated the incidence of and time to first antiretroviral therapy (ART) modification. This longitudinal analysis comprised a sample of 236 patients from three HIV/AIDS referral centers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil-part of a major historical cohort. Inclusion criteria were as follows: having been treatment-naive patient ≥18 years old who initiated ART between 2001 and 2005 in these three referral centers.

Assessment of primary health care from the perspective of patients hospitalized for ambulatory care sensitive conditions.

Background: The hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) has been used to assess the effectiveness of primary health care (PHC). Due to the existence of different models of organization of PHC in Brazil, it is important to develop indicators and tools for their assessment.

Objective: Assessment PHC from the perspective of patients hospitalized for ACSC.

Availability of data on adverse reactions to antiretroviral drugs in medical charts according to the Naranjo algorithm: an example of a Brazilian historical cohort.

Background And Objective: Although not designed for research purposes, medical charts can be a unique source for obtaining information on long-term adverse drug reactions. This study aimed to assess the availability of key information on paper-based patient medical records needed to detect long-term adverse reactions to antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: This is an ongoing historical cohort study carried out in three public HIV/AIDS referral centers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Lipodystrophy among patients with HIV infection on antiretroviral therapy: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Lipodystrophy is a frequent and disfiguring adverse effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in patients with HIV. It affects the quality of life of the patient and adherence to treatment, and generates new needs for comprehensive healthcare services. The aim of this study will be to conduct a systematic review of the literature from observational studies and describe lipodystrophy among patients with HIV infection during current or previous use of ART.

Contact allergy to topical corticosteroids--results from the IVDK and epidemiological risk assessment.

Background: Contact allergy (CA) to topical corticosteroids (CS) is relatively rare; however, current data from Germany are not available. Furthermore, valid risk assessment needs to take into account of the actual exposure to CS in the population.

Patients And Methods: The reaction profile of 9 CS included in a "CS test battery" of the German Contact Dermatitis Research Group (DKG) in patients seen in German clinics belonging to the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK; http://www.

Allergic contact dermatitis due to beta-blockers in eye drops: a retrospective analysis of multicentre surveillance data 1993-2004.

Topically applied ophthalmic drugs are a potential cause of allergic contact dermatitis of the periorbital region. The objectives of this study were to assess the frequency and spectrum of contact allergy to topically applied beta-blocker containing eye drops. Data of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) collected between 1993 and 2004 was analysed.