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Profiling the needs of dementia caregivers in a Brazilian cross-sectional study

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Título: Profiling the needs of dementia caregivers in a Brazilian cross-sectional study Autor(es): Andrade, Alan Cronemberger Abstract: Introduction: Alzheimer's disease is an increasingly critical public health concern in aging populations. Characterized by progressive impairments, it can lead to dementia and significant dependence on family caregivers, who often face cognitive and behavioral challenges and heightened health risks. The study investigates the demands and unmet needs of these family caregivers using an electronic data-capture approach. Methods: This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Brazil from February 2022 to January 2023. Non-professional dementia caregivers were surveyed through asynchronous digital data collection. A novel, context-specific questionnaire developed by an interdisciplinary expert group was administered, and a subset of randomly selected caregivers participated in focused interviews to enhance data quality. Results: Of 711 potential participants screened, 381 completed the questionnaire (53% response rate). Among them, 311 (82%) identified as non-professional caregivers. The results indicate that these caregivers often feel unprepared (46%), may have a negative self-perception of their role (39%), but also may feel rewarded with being a caregiver (44%). The primary needs expressed included additional assistance from others (87%) and emotional support (62%). Discussion: Findings indicate that care responsibilities were predominantly assumed by middle-aged female relatives, primarily in unpaid roles, with many providing more than 8 hours of direct care daily. A substantial proportion left their jobs to fulfill caregiving duties, underscoring the urgency of implementing policies that address the extensive needs of individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Given the complexity of dementia, public policies should be informed by rigorous situational analysis and delivered through targeted social, health, and educational programs that equip caregivers with effective management strategies and technologies while enhancing personalized emotional support systems. Editora / Evento / Instituição: Universidade Federal da Bahia Tipo: Artigo de Periódico

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among HIV-infected women in Brazil

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Título: Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among HIV-infected women in Brazil Autor(es): Travassos, Ana Gabriela Álvares; Brites, Carlos; M. Netto, Eduardo; Fernandes, Sheyla de Almeida; Rutherford, George Williams; Queiroz, Conceição Maria Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and associated risk factors in HIV-infected pregnant women followed for prenatal care in Salvador, Bahia. This was a cross-sectional study of 63 women seeking prenatal care at a reference center. Participants were interviewed regarding socio-epidemiological and clinical history, and were tested for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti HTLV I/II, VDRL, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, CD4 count, and HIV plasma viral load. The main outcome variable was the presence of any STI. The mean age of patients was 28.2 years (16-40 years). 23 (36.5%) were diagnosed with at least one STI. The frequency of diagnoses was: HBV, 3.2%; HCV, 8.1%; HTLV I/II, 3.4%; syphilis, 9.5%; Chlamydia trachomatis, 11.1%; HPV, 15.0%; Mycoplasma hominis, 2.1%, and Ureaplasma urealyticum, 2.1%. No case of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was identified. No association was found between socio-epidemiological variables and the presence of an STI. CD4 T lymphocyte < 500 cells/μL (p = 0.047) and plasma viral load >1,000 copies (p = 0.027) were associated with the presence of STI. STIs are frequent in pregnant women infected with HIV, and all HIV-infected pregnant women should be screened to decrease transmission of these pathogens and to protect their own health. Tipo: Artigo de Periódico

Immunological and viral features in patients with overactive bladder associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Título: Immunological and viral features in patients with overactive bladder associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection Autor(es): Santos, Silvane Maria Braga; Oliveira, Paulo; Luna, Tania; Souza, Anselmo de Santana; Nascimento, Márcia; Siqueira, Isadora; Tanajura, Davi; Muniz, André Luís Nunes; Glesby, Marshall J.; Carvalho Filho, Edgar Marcelino de Abstract: The majority of patients infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus-type 1 (HTLV-1) are considered carriers, but a high frequency of urinary symptoms of overactive bladder, common in HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) have been documented in these patients. The aim of this study was to determine if immunological and viral factors that are seen in HAM/TSP are also observed in these patients. Participants were classified as HTLV-1 carriers (n = 45), HTLV-1 patients suffering from overactive bladder (n = 45) and HAM/TSP (n = 45). Cells from HTLV-1 overactive bladder patients produced spontaneously more proinflammatory cytokines than carriers. TNF-α and IL-17 levels were similar in HAM/TSP and HTLV-1 overactive bladder patients. High proviral load was found in patients with overactive bladder and HAM/TSP and correlated with proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast with findings in patients with HAM/TSP, serum levels of Th1 chemokines were similar in HTLV-1 overactive bladder and carriers. Exogenous addition of regulatory cytokines decreased spontaneous IFN-γ production in cell cultures from HTLV-1 overactive bladder patients. The results show that HTLV-1 overactive bladder and HAM/TSP patients have in common some immunological features as well as similar proviral load profile. The data show that HTLV-1 overactive bladder patients are still able to down regulate their inflammatory immune response. In addition, these patients express levels of chemokines similar to carriers, which may explain why they have yet to develop the same degree of spinal cord damage as seen in patients with HAM/TSP. These patients present symptoms of overactive bladder, which may be an early sign of HAM/TSP. J. Med. Virol. 84:1809–1817, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Tipo: Artigo de Periódico

The cognitive behavioral therapy causes an improvement in quality of life in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Título: The cognitive behavioral therapy causes an improvement in quality of life in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain Autor(es): Castro, Martha M. C.; Daltro, Carla Hilário da Cunha; Kraychete, Durval Campos; Lopes, Josiane Abstract: Chronic pain causes functional incapacity and compromises an individual's affective, social, and economic life. OBJECTIVE: To study the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) effectiveness in a group of patients with chronic pain. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial with two parallel groups comprising 93 patients with chronic pain was carried out. Forty-eight patients were submitted to CBT and 45 continued the standard treatment. The visual analogue, hospital anxiety and depression, and quality of life SF-36 scales were applied. Patients were evaluated before and after ten weeks of treatment. RESULTS: When the Control Group and CBT were compared, the latter presented reduction of depressive symptoms (p=0.031) and improvement in the domains 'physical limitations' (p=0.012), 'general state of health' (p=0.045), and 'limitations by emotional aspects' (p=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: The CBT was effective and it has caused an improvement in more domains of quality of life when compared to the Control Group, after ten weeks of treatment. Tipo: Artigo de Periódico