Characterizing of dropouts in the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers (MEHIRA) study examining the effects of a stepped and collaborative care model - a multicentered rater-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Background: Dropout from healthcare interventions can negatively affect patients and healthcare providers through impaired trust in the healthcare system and ineffective use of resources. Research on this topic is still largely missing on refugees and asylum seekers. The current study aimed to characterize predictors for dropout in the Mental Health in Refugees and Asylum Seekers (MEHIRA) study, one of the largest multicentered controlled trials investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a nationwide stepped and collaborative care model.

Predictors of symptom change in the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers (MEHIRA) study examining the effects of a stepped and collaborative care model - A multicentered rater-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Background: Predictors of symptom improvement are an essential starting point for tailoring psychological treatments to each individual and, in turn, increasing treatment efficacy overall. However, such research regarding refugees/asylum seekers from Arabic-/Farsi-speaking countries is lacking. The current study aimed to characterize predictors for symptom improvement in the Mental Health in Refugees and Asylum Seekers (MEHIRA) study, one of the most extensive multicentered controlled trials on a nationwide stepped and collaborative care model compared to routine German mental health care.

Empowerment group therapy for refugees with affective disorders: results of a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Background: Against the background of missing culturally sensitive mental health care services for refugees, we developed a group intervention ) for refugees at level 3 within the stratified Stepped and Collaborative Care Model of the project (MEHIRA). We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of the group intervention with its focus on psychoeducation, stress management, and emotion regulation strategies in a culturally sensitive context for refugees with affective disorders compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU).

Method: At level 3 of the MEHIRA project, 149 refugees and asylum seekers with clinically relevant depressive symptoms were randomized to the group intervention or TAU.

Predicting treatment outcomes of the Empowerment group intervention for refugees with affective disorders: Findings from the MEHIRA project.

Background: Research on outcome predictors in the field of transcultural treatment for refugees and asylum seekers (RAS) is scarce. We aimed to evaluate predictors of outcome of a group intervention (Empowerment) for RAS with affective disorders which was incorporated at level three of the stratified stepped-care model within the Mental Health in Refugees and Asylum Seekers (MEHIRA) project.

Methods: A predictor analysis was performed at level three of the MEHIRA project, where 149 refugees with moderate depressive symptoms were treated either with Empowerment or Treatment-as-usual (TAU).

Vaccination against influenza in elderly people: factors associated with acceptance and refusal of the vaccine.

Introduction: Immunization is the primary method of preventing influenza. The objective of this study was to describe reasons and determine causes of acceptance or refusal of the influenza vaccine by elderly people.

Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study included elderly patients (aged >60 years) from the City of Jundiai, São Paulo, Brazil.

[Diabetes mellitus risk screening of parents of private school students in the city of Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil].

Objective: To screen the risk of developing diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) in adult individuals.

Methods: Several risk factors for DM2 (sedentary lifestyle, previous coronary artery disease, hyperglycemia-inducing medications, body mass index [BMI], blood pressure, serum triglyceride, and HDL-cholesterol levels) were assessed in 314 adults as a function of gender and age group.

Results: 73.

Isolated mitral valve prolapse is an independent predictor of aortic root size in a general population.

Aims: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is associated with aortic root (AoR) enlargement in patients with inherited connective tissue disorders. This report evaluated whether MVP is related to AoR dimension in a large population with otherwise normal echocardiographic parameters.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analysed echocardiograms performed by a single echocardiographer between 2001 and 2007 for various clinical indications.

[Quality of life of deaf people's relatives assisted in a rehabilitation center].

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of deaf people's relatives in a rehabilitation service. This descriptive study was conducted from March to June 2005 and a sample of fifteen parents of deaf people assisted in CEPRE/FCM/UNICAMP was interviewed. It was used a Portuguese version of the generic instrument of quality of life assessment WHOQOL--BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life), along with an identification questionnaire and socio-demographic data.

Use of traditional medicine and globalized complementary and alternative medicine among low-income cancer service users in Brazil.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become increasingly high profile in prosperous countries over the past 2 decades. Alongside this has been a renewed interest in the use of traditional medicine (TM) in poorer countries. Academic attention has tended to focus on either CAM in rich countries or indigenous TM in poorer ones.

[Noise-induced hearing loss and high blood pressure among city bus drivers].

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss and arterial hypertension among city bus drivers.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a probability random sample of 108 city bus drivers taken out of a total of 1,529 estimated professionals in the city of Campinas, Brazil, in 1991. Drivers were interviewed using questionnaires on job history, shift work and vacation schedules and underwent clinical and laboratory examinations including measures of blood pressure, pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and anthropometric data analysis after an informed consent was obtained.

Initial experience with local anesthesia in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

The report concerns initial experience with local anesthesia in the treatment of urolithiasis by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. This form of anesthesia is well tolerated for stones of limited size and hardness, though the patients must be carefully selected.