Disparity in the use of Alzheimer's disease treatment in Southern Brazil.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment is freely available in the Brazilian public health system. However, the prescription pattern and its associated factors have been poorly studied in our country. We reviewed all granted requests for AD treatment in the public health system in October 2021 in the Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Southern Brazil.

Three-Dimensional Localization of Buried Polyethylene Pipes Using Acoustic Method.

Localization of buried polyethylene pipes is an important issue for network managers. This study focuses on an acoustic method, which consists of vibrating the pipe and observing the signal with a receiver placed on the ground surface. This method provides an estimate of the path of the pipe but gives no information on the depth.

Hypoglycemia frequency and treatment satisfaction in patients receiving insulin analogues for treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of hypoglycemia and the treatment satisfaction in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using insulin analogues.

Methods: This observational retrospective study included 516 adult patients with T1D from 38 cities in Southern Brazil. Demographics and clinical data were collected using a self-report questionnaire.

Evaluation of severe hypoglycemia and common mental disorders in patients receiving insulin analogues for treatment of type 1 diabetes.

This is a retrospective report of the frequency of severe hypoglycemia and the association between common mental disorders and type 1 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin analogues. Patients with severe hypoglycemia compared with those without this complication had a higher prevalence of positive screening for common mental disorders (88% 77%, respectively, p = 0.03).

A population-based study of tuberculosis incidence among rheumatic disease patients under anti-TNF treatment.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The advent of immunobiologic therapy with TNF inhibitors agents, has been associated with a significant increase in incident cases of tuberculosis in this population.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of tuberculosis in patients receiving TNF inhibitors therapy for rheumatic diseases.

Pharmacokinetics comparison of two pegylated interferon alfa formulations in healthy volunteers.

Background: Several countries have used pegylation technology to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of essential drugs. Recently, a novel interferon alfa-2b protein conjugated to four-branched 12 kDa polyethylene glycol molecules was developed jointly between Cuba and Brazil. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic properties of BIP48 (pegylated interferon alfa-2b from Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, Brazil) to those of PEGASYS® (commercially available pegylated interferon alfa-2a from Roche Pharmaceutical).

Observational study of trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity in early and metastatic breast cancer.

Introduction Trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity has been a major concern in clinical practice, since observational studies have shown higher incidences than that reported in clinical trials. We aim to measure the incidence of trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity in patients with early and metastatic breast cancer in the south of Brazil. Methods Multicenter prospective observational study, which included 109 patients with early or metastatic HER-2+ breast cancer undergoing any trastuzumab-based regimen.

Tuberculosis recurrence in a high incidence setting for HIV and tuberculosis in Brazil.

Background: To compare epidemiological data between recurrent cases after cure (RC), distinguishing relapse from reinfection, after dropout (RD) and new cases (NC) in an ambulatory setting in a TB-endemic country.

Methods: Records of patients who started treatment for pulmonary TB between 2004 and 2010 in a TB clinic were reviewed. Epidemiological data were analyzed.

Comparison of clinical outcomes in patients undergoing mitral valve replacement with mechanical or biological substitutes: a 20 years cohort.

Background: The choice of prosthesis for mitral valve replacement still remains controversial. This study assessed mortality, bleeding events and reoperation in patients who underwent mitral valve replacement surgery with biological or mechanical substitutes.

Methods: A total of 352 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement surgery between 1990 and 2008 with 5 to 23 years of follow-up were retrospectively evaluated in a cohort study.

Randomized double-blind clinical trial of a new human epoetin versus a commercially available formula for anemia control in patients on hemodialysis.

Objectives: Anemia is a common complication among chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis, occurring mostly due to erythropoietin deficiency. This randomized noninferiority trial sought to compare the efficacy and safety of a new epoetin formulation developed by Bio-Manguinhos, a biologics manufacturer affiliated with the Brazilian government, with those of a commercially available product currently used in Brazil (a biosimilar epoetin formulation).

Methods: The sample size needed to enable demonstration of noninferiority with a statistical power of 85% for a between-group difference in hemoglobin levels of no more than 1.

Tumour necrosis factor -308 and -238 promoter polymorphisms are predictors of a null virological response in the treatment of Brazilian hepatitis C patients.

Certain host single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affect the likelihood of a sustained virological response (SVR) to treatment in subjects infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). SNPs in the promoters of interleukin (IL)-10 (-1082 A/G, rs1800896), myxovirus resistance protein 1 (-123 C/A, rs17000900 and -88 G/T, rs2071430) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) (-308 G/A, rs1800629 and -238 G/A, rs361525) genes and the outcome of PEGylated α-interferon plus ribavirin therapy were investigated. This analysis was performed in 114 Brazilian, HCV genotype 1-infected patients who had a SVR and in 85 non-responders and 64 relapsers.

C-reactive protein and cognition are unrelated to leukoaraiosis.

Elevated serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) have been associated with leukoaraiosis in elderly brain. However, several studies indicate that leukoaraiosis is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment. It is unknown how the effect of CRP on cognition is mediated by leukoaraiosis.

Impact on pregnancies in south Brazil from the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic: cohort study.

Introduction: The emergence of a new subtype of the influenza virus in 2009 generated interest in the international medical community, the media, and the general population. Pregnant women are considered to be a group at risk of serious complications related to the H1N1 influenza virus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and teratogenic effects of pregnancies exposed to the H1N1 virus during the Influenza A epidemic that occurred in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in 2009.

Symptomatic treatment of the common cold with a fixed-dose combination of paracetamol, chlorphenamine and phenylephrine: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: The common cold and other viral airway infections are highly prevalent in the population, and their treatment often requires the use of medications for symptomatic relief. Paracetamol is as an analgesic and antipyretic; chlorphenamine is an antihistamine; and phenylephrine, a vasoconstrictor and decongestant. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination of paracetamol, chlorphenamine and phenylephrine in the symptomatic treatment of the common cold and flu-like syndrome in adults.

HIV behind bars: human immunodeficiency virus cluster analysis and drug resistance in a reference correctional unit from southern Brazil.

People deprived of liberty in prisons are at higher risk of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to their increased exposure through intravenous drug use, unprotected sexual activity, tattooing in prison and blood exposure in fights and rebellions. Yet, the contribution of intramural HIV transmission to the epidemic is scarcely known, especially in low- and middle-income settings. In this study, we surveyed 1,667 inmates incarcerated at Presídio Central de Porto Alegre, located in southern Brazil, for HIV infection and molecular characterization.

National guidelines for high-cost drugs in Brazil: achievements and constraints of an innovative national evidence-based public health policy.

Introduction: The translation of best evidence into practice has become an important purpose of policy making in health care. In Brazil, a country of continental dimensions with widespread regional and social inequalities, the dissemination and use of the best-evidence in policy making is a critical issue for the healthcare system.

Objectives: The main purpose of this study is to describe an evidence-based public health policy with special emphasis on guidelines creation for high-cost medicines.

A double-blind, randomised, crossover trial of two botulinum toxin type a in patients with spasticity.

Background: Botulinum toxin type A (btxA) is one of the main treatment choices for patients with spasticity. Prosigne® a new released botulinum toxin serotype A may have the same effectiveness as Botox® in focal dystonia. However, there are no randomized clinical trials comparing these formulations in spasticity treatment.

Response to treatment in Brazilian patients with chronic hepatitis C is associated with a single-nucleotide polymorphism near the interleukin-28B gene.

A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) upstream of interleukin (IL)28B was recently identified as an important predictor of the outcome of chronic hepatitis C patients treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the IL28B gene polymorphism (rs12979860) and virological response in chronic hepatitis C patients. Brazilian patients (n = 263) who were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 and were receiving PEG-IFN/RBV were genotyped.

Quality of life of brazilian patients with Gaucher disease and fabry disease.

Objective: To evaluate QoL in a sample of Brazilian patients with Gaucher (GD) and Fabry (FD) disease using the SF-36 survey.

Method: Observational cross-sectional study. The SF-36 survey was administered to cognitively able patients 12 years or older, who were seen in the Medical Genetics Service of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil.

The effectiveness of retreatment with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C genotype 2 and 3: a prospective cohort study in Brazil.

Background: More than 50% of patients infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) do not respond to treatment with conventional interferon (IFN) combined with ribavirin (RBV). The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of retreatment with peginterferon alfa-2a or 2b (PEG-IFN 2a or 2b) concomitantly with RBV in patients with HCV genotype 2 and 3, which were non-responders or relapsers to initial treatment with IFN / RBV and to identify possible predictors of sustained virological response (SVR).

Methods: From September 2003 to March 2009 a cohort of 216 patients who had previously failed therapy with a regimen of standard interferon and ribavirin, were followed in a specialized service implemented in the Brazilian Unified Health System, Rio Grande do Sul.

Effectiveness of alpha interferon (+ ribavirin) in the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis C genotypes 2 and 3 in a Brazilian sample.

Context: Pharmacovigilance studies aim to detect, assess, understand and prevent risks of adverse effects of medications or any other possible drug related problem. Alpha interferon is being produced by Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil and used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C at Brazilian National Health System.

Objective: To study the safety profile and effectiveness of alpha interferon in a sample of Brazilian patients with chronic hepatitis C genotypes 2 and 3, in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.