High red blood cell distribution width is associated with a risk of short-term mortality in hospitalized surgical, but not clinical patients.

Background & Aims: The distribution width of red blood cells (RDW) is a known factor risk for mortality. However, the association between high RDW and short-term mortality in surgical patients is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of high RDW with all-cause in-hospital mortality, in surgical and non-surgical patients.

Failure to achieve proteic goals in non-critical patients increases risk for death: Old discussion, ongoing problem.

Objectives: Providing adequate nutritional support for hospitalized patients continues to be a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of energy and protein provision with in-hospital mortality in non-critically ill patients.

Methods: A retrospective study (2014-2016) was performed with all patients >18 y of age who were admitted to medical and surgical clinic wards and given exclusive enteral therapy.

Combination of red blood cell distribution width and body mass index (COR-BMI) predicts in-hospital mortality in patients with different diagnoses?

Background: The combination of red blood cell distribution width and body mass index (COR-BMI) is indicated as a new prognostic index of survival in patients with laryngeal cancer. However, the ability of this prediction in other types of cancer or whether its use can be expanded to non-oncological patients is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prediction of prognosis of in-hospital mortality of the COR-BMI in oncological and non-oncological patients.

Primary health care quality and hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions in the public health system in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Purpose: To investigate the relation of hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) with the quality of public primary care health services in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Methods: Cohort study constructed by probabilistic record linkage performed from August 2006 to December 2011 in a population ≥18 years of age that attended public primary care health services. The Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool-Brazil) was used for evaluation of primary care services.

Smear plus Detect-TB for a sensitive diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis: a cost-effectiveness analysis in an incarcerated population.

Background: Prison conditions can favor the spread of tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to evaluate in a Brazilian prison: the performance and accuracy of smear, culture and Detect-TB; performance of smear plus culture and smear plus Detect-TB, according to different TB prevalence rates; and the cost-effectiveness of these procedures for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) diagnosis.

Methods: This paper describes a cost-effectiveness study.

Dialysis for end stage renal disease financed through the Brazilian National Health System, 2000 to 2012.

Background: Chronic kidney disease has become a public health problem worldwide. Its terminal stage requires renal replacement therapy--dialysis or transplantation--for the maintenance of life, resulting in high economic and social costs. Though the number of patients with end-stage renal disease treated by dialysis in Brazil is among the highest in the world, current estimates of incidence and prevalence are imprecise.