Predictors of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in middle-aged women.

Background: Traditional strategies for primary cardiovascular prevention have been insufficient in reducing the high rates of coronary ischemic events in women, probably because these women are often stratified into low-risk groups. However, cardiovascular diseases continue to be the main cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. We hypothesized that carotid atherosclerosis (CA) is common in middle-aged women.

Quality of life amongst older Brazilians: a cross-cultural validation of the CASP-19 into Brazilian-Portuguese.

Introduction: As population ageing becomes a global phenomenon the need to understand the quality of life of older people around the world has become increasingly salient. The CASP-19 is a well established measure of quality of later life. The scale is composed of 19 items which map onto the four domains of control (C), Autonomy (A), Self-Realisation (S) and Pleasure (P).

Prevalence of oral mucosa lesions in diabetic patients: a preliminary study.

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of superficial lesions in the oral cavity mucosa in diabetic patients.

Methods: The sample was made of 30 patients. To obtain these results we did rigorous clinical and complementary tests.

An improved intragastric balloon procedure using a new balloon: preliminary analysis of safety and efficiency.

Background: The authors developed a new intragastric balloon procedure with the objective of making it safer, faster, and less expensive than the established ones. The proposed procedure uses a new gastric balloon with technical improvements in the placement and removal procedures.

Methods: From June 2006 to July 2007, 52 patients were submitted to the new treatment with the Silimed Gastric Balloon (SGB), as part of a multidisciplinary program involving clinical, psychological, and behavioral approaches.