Publications by authors named "Francisco R Martins-Melo"

Article Synopsis
  • Chagas disease (CD) is a growing global health concern, particularly among Latin American migrants in non-endemic countries, prompting a systematic review to determine its prevalence in this population.* -
  • Out of 1474 articles screened, 51 studies were included, indicating a pooled CD prevalence of 3.5% among Latin American migrants, with higher rates in specific subgroups such as unselected populations (11.0%) and pregnant women (3.7%).* -
  • The research highlights the importance of screening among Latin American migrants and reveals significant levels of congenital transmission at 4.4%, emphasizing the need for public health strategies in non-endemic regions.*
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Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to update the understanding of the prevalence of clinical forms of Chagas disease (ChD) among seropositive adults by pooling data from various studies published from 1990 to August 2023.
  • - A systematic review included 73 studies with over 17,000 patients, finding that the estimated prevalence was 42.6% for the indeterminate form, 42.7% for chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCM), 17.7% for digestive forms, and 10.2% for mixed forms.
  • - The research highlighted a higher prevalence of CCM compared to earlier reports, while the prevalence of digestive forms remained consistent, and showed that older age correlates with higher figures
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Chagas disease (ChD), a Neglected Tropical Disease, has witnessed a transformative epidemiological landscape characterized by a trend of reduction in prevalence, shifting modes of transmission, urbanization, and globalization. Historically a vector-borne disease in rural areas of Latin America, effective control measures have reduced the incidence in many countries, leading to a demographic shift where most affected individuals are now adults. However, challenges persist in regions like the Gran Chaco, and emerging oral transmission in the Amazon basin adds complexity.

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Background: Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected disease affecting millions worldwide, yet little is known about its economic burden. This systematic review is part of RAISE project, a broader study that aims to estimate the global prevalence, mortality, and health and economic burden attributable to chronic CD and Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy. The objective of this study was to assess the main costs associated with the treatment of CD in both endemic and non-endemic countries.

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Article Synopsis
  • HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa, with current efforts falling short of global targets for eradication set by UNAIDS and the SDGs.
  • The study utilized extensive data from various HIV prevalence surveys to estimate localized HIV infection rates across 43 African countries, focusing on specific age and sex groups from 2000 to 2018.
  • Findings revealed wide disparities in HIV prevalence within countries and districts, indicating that age and sex stratification provides more nuanced insights into the epidemic, which can help tailor prevention and treatment efforts more effectively.
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We analyzed epidemiologic characteristics and distribution of 492 deaths related to Chagas disease and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) co-infection in Brazil during March‒December 2020. Cumulative co-infected death rates were highest among advanced age groups, persons of Afro-Brazilian ethnicity and with low education levels, and geographically distributed mainly in major Chagas disease‒endemic areas.

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Background: Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent among the HIV-negative population and ranks first among the HIV-positive population. However, few studies have assessed tuberculosis trends in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) or with an emphasis on HIV status. This study assesses the time trends of tuberculosis mortality across the BRICS with an emphasis on HIV status from 1990 to 2019.

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Background: Trypanosoma cruzi/HIV coinfection has been described as a relevant clinical event and an emerging public health problem. Here, we describe the epidemiological patterns of deaths related to Chagas disease and HIV/AIDS coinfection in Brazil from 2000 to 2019.

Methods: We performed a nationwide population-based study using mortality data obtained from the Brazilian Mortality Information System.

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Recent evidence suggests that, in some foci, elimination of onchocerciasis from Africa may be feasible with mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin. To achieve continental elimination of transmission, mapping surveys will need to be conducted across all implementation units (IUs) for which endemicity status is currently unknown. Using boosted regression tree models with optimised hyperparameter selection, we estimated environmental suitability for onchocerciasis at the 5 × 5-km resolution across Africa.

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Chagas disease remains an important public health problem with high morbidity and mortality in several Latin American countries. This nationwide population-based ecological study analyzes the epidemiological characteristics and time trends of Chagas disease-related mortality in Brazil, 2000-2019. We included all deaths reported in Brazil in which Chagas disease was mentioned in the death certificate either as an underlying or associated cause of death (multiple causes of death).

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Background: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be an important cause of fatal and non-fatal burden in Brazil. In this study, we present estimates for TB burden in Brazil from 1990 to 2017 using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017).

Methods: This descriptive study used GBD 2017 findings to report years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of TB in Brazil by sex, age group, HIV status, and Brazilian states, from 1990 to 2017.

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Background: This study presents the malaria burden in Brazil from 1990 to 2017 using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017), by analyzing disease burden indicators in federated units of the Legal Amazon and Extra-Amazon regions, as well as describing malaria cases according to Plasmodium species occurring in the country.

Methods: We used estimates from the GBD 2017 to report years of life lost due to premature death (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for malaria in Brazil, grouped by gender, age group, and Brazilian federated unit, from 1990 to 2017. Results are presented as absolute numbers and age-standardized rates (per 100,000 inhabitants) with 95% uncertainty intervals (UI).

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Objective: To characterise the epidemiological patterns and the spatial-temporal distribution of schistosomiasis-related mortality in Brazil from 2003 to 2018.

Methods: A national population-based ecological study that used official data from the Mortality Information System. The data included all deaths recorded in Brazil from 2003 to 2018 in which schistosomiasis was mentioned in the death certificate as an underlying or associated cause of death (multiple causes).

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Objective to describe temporal trends and spatial distribution patterns of leprosy-related deaths in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, 2000-2015. Methods this study was based on Mortality Information System (SIM) data; mortality coefficient temporal trend analysis was performed using joinpoint regression and descriptive spatial analysis, taking the state's 139 municipalities as geographic units of analysis. Results 201 leprosy-related deaths were identified in Tocantins; average mortality coefficient was 0.

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Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2-to end preventable child deaths by 2030-we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends.

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Chagas disease continues to be an important cause of morbidity, mortality and disability in several Latin American countries, including Brazil. Using findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 (GBD, 2016), we present years of life lost, years lived with disability, and disability-adjusted life years due to Chagas disease in Brazil, by sex, age group, and Brazilian states, from 1990 to 2016. Results are reported in absolute numbers and age-standardized rates (per 100,000 population) with 95% uncertainty intervals.

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Background: The study presents estimates for the burden of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (CML) in Brazil and its 27 federated units using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2016.

Methodology: We report the incidence, years of life lost (YLL), years lived with disability (YLD), and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) for leishmaniasis in Brazil from 1990 to 2016. The metrics are presented as age-standardized rates per 100,000 inhabitants with their respective uncertainty intervals (95%UI) and relative percentages of change.

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Background: Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are important causes of morbidity, disability, and mortality among poor and vulnerable populations in several countries worldwide, including Brazil. We present the burden of NTDs in Brazil from 1990 to 2016 based on findings from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2016 (GBD 2016).

Methodology: We extracted data from GBD 2016 to assess years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for NTDs by sex, age group, causes, and Brazilian states, from 1990 to 2016.

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OBJECTIVE To analyze, stratifield by gender, trends of the new case leprosy detection rates in the general population and in children; of grade 2 disability, and of proportion of multibacillary cases, in the state of Bahia, Brazil from 2001 to 2014. METHODS A time series study based on leprosy data from the National Information System for Notifiable Diseases. The time trend analysis included Poisson regression models by infection points (Joinpoint) stratified by gender.

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Leprosy is a hyperendemic chronic condition in the Rondônia State . Despite the significant impact of oral health on the quality of life and clinical evolution of leprosy patients, systematic evaluation of oral health status has been neglected. To analyze the dental-clinical profile, self-perceived oral health and dental health service access of leprosy cases in the municipality of Cacoal in Rondônia State , North Brazil, from 2001 to 2012.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to identify factors related to the occurrence of leprosy in the hyperendemic State of Tocantins, North Brazil, by analyzing socioeconomic, demographic, operational, and health service-related data from 2001 to 2012.
  • - Results showed higher incidence rates of leprosy in municipalities with greater income disparities and better human development, while factors such as a higher percentage of immigrants and effective waste collection were also associated with increased incidence.
  • - The findings suggest that control programs should prioritize support for more vulnerable communities and focus on enhancing living conditions through intersectoral investments.
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Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas, including Brazil. We performed a nationwide population-based study including all deaths in Brazil from 2000 to 2011, in which STHs (ascariasis, trichuriasis and/or hookworm infection) were mentioned on death certificates, either as underlying or as associated causes of death. Epidemiological characteristics, time trends and spatial analysis of STH-related mortality were analysed.

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Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is an important cause of severe neurological disease mainly in low- and middle-income countries, but data on NCC mortality from endemic areas are scarce. Here we analysed the epidemiological patterns of NCC-related mortality in Brazil. We included all deaths recorded in Brazil between 2000 and 2011, in which NCC was mentioned on death certificates, either as underlying or as associated cause of death.

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Co-infection of tuberculosis (TB)-HIV/AIDS is a persistent public health problem in Brazil. This study describes epidemiological patterns and time trends of mortality related to TB-HIV/AIDS co-infection. Based on mortality data from 2000-2011 (almost 12.

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The success of antiretroviral therapy has led to an increase in the number of older people living with human immunodeficiency virus worldwide. This study analyzed the epidemiological patterns and time trends of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) related mortality in people aged 60 and older in Brazil from 2000 to 2011. Secondary mortality data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System was used to perform a nationwide population-based study, which included all AIDS-related deaths among people aged 60 years and older in Brazil from 2000 to 2011.

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