The Journal of Health Care (ISSN 2359-4330) is a publication of the Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul (USCS). Health care is understood as actions that may involve the promotion, prevention, treatment and / or rehabilitation of health-disease conditions, both individually and collectively. The mission of RAS is to disseminate scientific knowledge in the field of health, having as its scope a vision in the multiprofessional and interdisciplinary approach, allowing the existence of several theoretical and methodological perspectives, with the principle of health care, as well as health education. The journal underwent a reformulation, ceasing to be called Revista Brasileira de Ciências da Saúde.
Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul - USCS
Policy Proposal for Journals offering Free Delayed Access Authors who publish in this magazine agree to the following terms: Authors maintain the copyright and grant the journal the right to the first publication, with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License after publication, allowing the sharing of the work with recognition of the authorship of the work and initial publication in this journal. Authors are authorized to assume additional contracts separately, for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in this magazine (eg, publishing in institutional repository or as a book chapter), with the acknowledgment of the authorship and initial publication in this journal. Authors are allowed and encouraged to publish and distribute their work online (eg in institutional repositories or on their personal page) at any point before or during the editorial process, as this can generate productive changes, as well as increase impact and citation of the published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
Hospitalization for leprosy and its sequelates in the I Regional Health Management of the state of Pernambuco
Introduction: Leprosy is an infectious, chronic and slowly evolving disease, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy treatment is predominantly carried out on an outpatient basis in Primary Health Care. Cases of hospitalization indicate failures of the health system in its control. Objective: To describe hospitalizations for leprosy and leprosy sequelae in residents of municipalities of I Geres in the state of Pernambuco, from 2017 to 2023. Materials and Methods: Descriptive, ecological, retrospective and epidemiological research, quantitative in nature. Hospitalizations for leprosy and its sequelae in residents of municipalities in the First Geres of Pernambuco, reported in the Hospital Information System, were included. Results: There were 1,045 hospitalizations, 76.1% in residents of municipalities in the I microregion, mainly Recife (41.9%) and Olinda (15.9%). Predominant in men (74.6%), mixed race (54.3%), between 30 and 39 years old (22.7%). Of the consultations, 75.0% were elective, with an ignored regime (100%) at Hospital da Mirueira (64.1%), with an average of 11 days. There was an expenditure of R$582,957.83, with an average of R$557.85 (0.4SM). Conclusion: Despite the low morbidity and cost, these hospitalizations proved to be a challenge for the local health system.
Copyright (c) 2025 Carlos Antonio de Lima Filho, Silvia Maria de Luna Alves, Lucas Alcindo do Nascimento Coêlho, Flávio de Araújo Wanderley, Eduardo Côrte-Real Lira, Viviane de Araújo Gouveia, Maria da Conceição Cavalcanti de Lira https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Copyright (c) 2025 Vera Lucia Basso https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
ANÁLISE PONDERADA DOS DESFECHOS EPIDEMIOLÓGICOS EM PACIENTES COM COVID-19: um estudo observacional transversal
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted emergency responses from governments and health agencies worldwide, implementing public policies that reduced mortality among affected patients. However, during the public health emergency, the low regionalization of care programs significantly reduced the effectiveness of preventive measures. This study investigated the relationship between vaccination status, sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and symptoms with COVID-19 outcomes in 6,953 patients treated at screening centers in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data collection occurred between July and December 2021, including sociodemographic information, vaccination history, presence of comorbidities, symptoms, and COVID-19 test results. The sample predominantly consisted of mixed-race individuals (51%), with 61% being women and 60% aged between 21 and 50 years. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (18.2%), diabetes (4.9%), and obesity (0.4%). Young individuals (11-30 years) and white patients had higher positivity rates (40.1%). Hypertension was associated with a higher positivity rate (OR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.28-1.83; p-value < 0.001), whereas obesity was linked to a lower positivity rate (OR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.02-0.63; p-value = 0.025). This study identified a higher rate of positive results among young (11-30 years) white and hypertensive individuals. Symptoms such as fever, loss of smell, and loss of taste were the primary indicators of infection (OR > 2.00; p-value < 0.001). The regionalized characterization of COVID-19 patients will inform further research and policies to mitigate harm in public health emergencies.
Copyright (c) 2025 Raphael Rangel das Chagas, Hércules Rezende Freitas, Fabio da Silva de Azevedo Fortes, Sergian Vianna Cardozo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Using ChatGPT in the classroom: Experience Report
ChatGPT is a language model developed by OpenAI, based on the GPT-3.5 architecture (Generative Pre-Trained Transformer 3.5). Powered by a vast amount of data, ChatGPT has been used in the healthcare field to assist professionals. However, in scientific research and educational contexts, its use must be responsible. This report aims to share the experience of fifth-semester students from the Dentistry undergraduate program at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB) - Campus I, during a class of the mandatory curriculum component of Supervised Internship I. The activity involved the participation of undergraduates, postgraduates, and professors from the Dentistry course at UFPB, in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. The course aims to immerse students in a real and virtual practice field, using clinical cases from the screening of the Dentistry school clinic and the TeleEstomato - Paraíba mobile application. During the discussion of a clinical case, ChatGPT was integrated with Alexa to assist in generating diagnostic hypotheses. The reported experience was beneficial for all involved, providing an opportunity to integrate and understand how a language model tool like ChatGPT can assist in dental practice, especially in the field of Stomatology. The use of ChatGPT demonstrated potential to enrich learning and clinical practice, provided it is used responsibly.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dhandhara Chiang Braga Barroso Viana, José Marcos Pereira Júnior, Eduarda Gomes Onofre de Araújo, Livian Isabel de Medeiros Carvalho, Edson Hilan Gomes de Lucena, Paulo Rogério Ferreti Bonan, Cláudia Batista Melo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Strategies for improving access to primary health care: scope review
Despite the progress made in primary health care in Brazil, significant challenges remain regarding access to services and integration between different levels of care. This study aims to review strategies to promote access to primary care in order to overcome remaining barriers. This is a scoping review, carried out using the PRISMA-ScR checklist, in which the databases LILACS, MEDLINE, BDENF, Coleciona SUS, SciELO and Google Scholar were consulted, using the descriptors "Strategies", "Access" and "Primary Health Care". A total of 1,571 initial publications were retrieved, which after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria culminated in 11 articles included in the review, which were analyzed for information on authorship, year of publication, objectives, study design, context, main results and level of evidence. The qualitative analysis of the productions is presented in two emerging categories: organizational improvements in services, covering strategies to tackle geographical barriers and the inadequate distribution of health units in rural and urban areas; and the use of digital technologies, describing tactics related to digital health and promising technological tools to offer remote care and health information. It is emphasized that increasing the use of digital health and extending opening hours are essential strategies for improving the effectiveness and coverage of primary care, overcoming challenges such as the lack of access to health services.
Barreiras ao acesso aos cuidados de saúde
Copyright (c) 2025 Sara Gonçalves de Sousa, Mailson Fontes de Carvalho, Eugênio Barbosa de Melo Júnior, Suyanne Freire de Macêdo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
SPEECH THERAPY CARE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN THE FEDERAL DISTRICT: OVERVIEW BETWEEN 2018 AND 2022
Introduction: The inclusion of speech therapists in Primary Health Care (PHC) helps in the early detection of disorders, in addition to contributing to collective health promotion actions, reducing the flow to secondary care and optimizing the organization of the health system. Purpose: to quantify speech therapy consultations registered in PHC at the Health Department of the Federal District (SES-DF) between the years 2018 and 2022. Methods: this is an ecological study, with consultation of a database of public domain and analysis of the number of speech therapy consultations in PHC registered in SES-DF by Health Region (HR) and by health establishment. Results: 17,054 speech therapy consultations were registered in PHC in SES-DF between 2018 and 2022, with the majority being registered in the Southwest HR. Only 38 (17.6%) of the 216 primary care health establishments that appeared in the accessed database registered speech therapy consultations in PHC between 2018 and 2022. There was an average growth rate of 22.75% of consultations in four years, with a drop between the years 2020 and 2022. Conclusion: a reduced growth rate of speech therapy services in PHC in the Federal District was observed in the period evaluated, with these often concentrated in specific basic health units, limiting the population's access to these professionals and making it difficult the organization of the health system into care networks, according to their complexity.
Copyright (c) 2025 Patrícia Ribeiro Baia Lira, Vanessa Luisa Destro Fidêncio https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Actions of the reference centers in occupational health (CEREST) to face the covid-19 pandemic in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
INTRODUCTION: Faced with the need to implement an action plan to protect and promote worker health, important public policies in Brazil ensure the right to health, including during the exercise of one's profession. OBJECTIVE: To analyze actions developed by Occupational Health Reference Centers (OHRCs) to combat the Covid-19 pandemic from March 2020 to March 2021 in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A quantitative descriptive analysis was carried out on the frequency of actions carried out by OHRCs to combat the Covid-19 pandemic through the recruitment of regional OHRCs in the state of São Paulo. RESULTS: Most OHRCs operated with usual hours; some had a reduced staff; in-person activities were interrupted for the majority, maintaining the reception of complaints, collection actions and monitoring of contingency plans, coordination with services health and worker representatives, death investigation, access to databases and active case searches, among other actions. The present study also found barriers to the actions of OHRCs during the pandemic, such as problems related to management, human resources, the use of the Information System, establishment of a causal link between Covid-19 and work, a lack of infrastructure and low adherence of services to health surveillance actions. CONCLUSIONS: Given the possibilities of actions taken and the barriers overcome, the interventions and actions of OHRCs beyond the pandemic were important.
Copyright (c) 2025 Katy Caroline da Silva, Gilson Caliman, Tatiana de Oliveira Sato, Cristiane Shinohara Moriguchi de Castro https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
MANIFESTATIONS AND ATTITUDES ABOUT DIFFICULTIES IN ADHERENCE TO PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT IN THE UNIVERSE OF PRIMARY CARE
Introduction: Systemic Arterial Hypertension is a pathology with high prevalence and impact on the lives of the elderly population, emphasizing the need for constant and adequate treatment, whose impact is crucially influenced by multifactorial agents such as pharmacological adherence and rational use of medicines. Objectives: This study aims to understand pharmacotherapeutic non-adherence among elderly people with hypertension treated at a Primary Healthcare Unit. Materials and Methods: It is a qualitative study involving description and content analysis, conducted with 20 elderly hypertensive patients who had difficulties adhering to the proposed therapeutic plan and were registered at a Primary Healthcare Unit in the South Zone of São Paulo. Data collection took place through in-depth interviews based on a questionnaire with pre-formulated questions, from January to February 2024. Laurence Bardin's methodology was used for subsequent content analysis. Results: Medication adherence among hypertensive elderly people was affected by several factors, such as memory lapses, a superficial perception of the pathology combined with a sense of autonomy, alcoholism, side effects of pharmacotherapy, polypharmacy, limited understanding of the benefits of treatment, and low availability of medicines. Conclusion: pharmacotherapeutic adherence is multifactorial, which highlights the relevance of care that adopts the patient's perspective as a biopsychosocial being, taking into account their individuality and particular demands, thus allowing the identification of the feelings underlying the diagnosis and treatment.
Copyright (c) 2025 Beatriz de Melo Silva, Fernanda Galvão Canda Kimura, Paula Yuri Sugishita Kanikadan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Assessment of burden on caregivers of elderly people in a home environment
Introduction: Caring for someone without any type of support can generate overload, especially due to intense care. Objective: To investigate the burden on caregivers of elderly people in a home environment. Materials and methods: This is a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study carried out with caregivers of elderly people at home linked to a family health unit located in a neighborhood of Aracaju, Sergipe. The instruments used for data collection were: a) Sociodemographic Form; b) Katz Scale - Assessment of Basic Activities of Daily Living and c) Caregiver Burden Inventory (ISC). The data were tabulated and entered into Microsoft Excel® spreadsheets and analyzed using descriptive statistics using the BioEstat® software version 5.3. Results: The results indicated a profile of caregivers composed mainly of women (88.46%), married or in a stable relationship (53.85%), self-declared black or mixed race (73.08%), with some degree of kinship (80 .77%) and who lived with the elderly person (73.08%). A fragility in the physical and mental health profile of caregivers was evidenced, as well as a greater overload in the averages referring to the time dependent domain (16.3±2.8), personal life (9.0±5.7) and physical overload (9.0±5.7). Conclusion: Overload was present and may be related to the care process, which affects the health of caregivers. The need to discuss the formation of care for caregivers' health that promotes a better quality of life for caregivers, essentially family members, is highlighted.
Copyright (c) 2025 Joicielly França Bispo, Andrezza Marques Duque https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Functional dependence for instrumental activities of daily living: prevalence and characterization of older people
INTRODUCTION: The aging process, when associated with chronic conditions, can lead older people to present a functionality reduction. OBJECTIVE: To verify the prevalence and characteristics of older people with dependence for instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), assisted by a Family Health Unit (USF) in Vitória-ES. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a systematic sample of 241 older people. Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics and health conditions were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The Tinetti, SF-36, and Lawton and Brody scales were applied. Data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: The prevalence of dependence to perform IADLs was 34%. The profile of dependent elderly for IADL was mostly females (65.9%) between 60 and 74 years old (54.9%), brown/black (73.2%), with up to four years of schooling (68.3 %), with partners (51%), living in a multigenerational household (51.2%) and without restriction to the home (51.2%), who do not use cigarettes or alcohol (82.9%), but also do not usually practice physical activities (81.7%), who have multimorbidity (75.6%), but do not use polypharmacy (51.2%), who do not have depressive symptoms (51.2%), and have a higher risk of falls (73.2%) and regular/negative perception of quality of life (85%). CONCLUSION: It is important to apply strategies considering the profile found, acting preventively, encouraging follow-up with the multidisciplinary team, and the creation of exercise and dance groups to promote the practice of physical and leisure activities, as well as the socialization of these older people.
Copyright (c) 2025 Gracielle Pampolim, Caroline Peterle Modolo dos Santos, Ana Karoline Soave Bergamim, Ana Paula Davoli, Lara Bourguignon Lopes, Luciana Carrupt Machado Sogame https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Temporal trend analysis of the nutritional status of children aged six to 23 months from 2013 to 2022
Introduction: Food and Nutrition Surveillance is necessary to monitor adequate development in infants aged six to 23 months. Objectives: To verify and analyze the temporal trend of the nutritional status of children aged six to 23 months registered and monitored in Primary Health Care in the municipality of Guarapuava-PR, in the state of Paraná, in the Southern Region and in Brazil from 2013 to 2022. Materials and Methods: Ecological study based on extraction of public reports from the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN) Web, according to the anthropometric indices of weight for age (W/A), weight for height (W/H), height for age (H/A) and body mass index for age (BMI/A). Time trend analysis was carried out using Prais-Winsten generalized linear regression. Results: Weight-for-age followed a downward trend in all the locations assessed. The weight for height and BMI for age indices showed an increasing trend towards eutrophy in all locations, as well as a decrease in obesity in the municipality and in the country. Adequate height for age increased in Guarapuava, while low height for age decreased. Conclusions: A positive scenario was observed in the nutritional status of the group studied; however, actions to combat malnutrition and childhood obesity are still needed.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bárbara Maria Renó Oliveira, Camila Dallazen, Joseane Carla Schabarum, Angelica Rocha de Freitas Melhem , Paula Chuproski Saldan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
QUALITY OF LIFE: RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TREATED WITH BIOLOGICAL THERAPY
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that affects the lining of synovial joints associated with progressive disability and socioeconomic burdens. In Brazil, interest in patients' quality of life (QOL) has grown, using biologically modifying antirheumatic drugs as the first and second line of treatment in the Unified Health System. Objective: To measure the QOL of patients with RA treated with biological therapy after use of methotrexate and leflunomide. Materials and methods: Longitudinal study from June to December 2021 using the EQ-5D and DAS28. 208 patients were treated and evaluated at the Rheumatology Sector of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Pernambuco, using questionnaires - EuroQol 5 dimensions (EQ-5D) and disease activity score. Simple and multiple linear regression analyzes assessed QoL and associated factors. Results: 76.10% patients diagnosed with M05.8 and 23.90% with M06.0. Furthermore, 25.48% were only using drugs that biologically modify the course of the disease, and 74.52% (n = 155) were patients treated with bioDMARD associated with synthetic disease modifiers (MMDCS) or corticosteroids or a combination (MMCDbio + MMCDS + corticosteroid). The mean EQ-5D score was 0.656 (95% CI: 0.186; 0.727) for Group 1 and 0.587 (95% CI: 0.186; 0.691) for Group 2. Conclusions: The patients investigated had a life utility score of 0.494, lower than that of the general population served in Primary Care in Brazil (0.793). RA patients had better life utility scores after bioDMARD treatment.
Copyright (c) 2025 Fernando Zanghelini, Maira Galdino Pitta, Andrea Tavares Dantas, Angela Luzia Branco Pinto Duarte, Rafaela Silva Guimarães Goncalves, Mariana Luiza de Oliveira Santos Ramos, Maria Danielly Lima de Oliveira, Cesar Andrade https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
COMPLICAÇÕES DA COVID-19 NA SAÚDE DE PESSOAS COM DIABETES MELLITUS
Introduction: People diagnosed with diabetes mellitus are more likely to develop complications when affected by Covid-19, as they present an uncontrolled inflammatory response, increased coagulation and enzymes responsible for tissue damage. Objective: Identify the complications of Covid-19 on the health of people with diabetes mellitus. Materials and method: Quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional research. Study carried out in a municipality in the south of Minas Gerais, through semi-structured interviews and data recording in the KoBo Toolbox tool. Results: 156 people who tested positive for Covid-19 and confirmed diagnosis of diabetes mellitus participated in the study. Detection of the virus was mainly carried out by searching for the antigen in laboratory tests. The main complications caused by Covid-19 in people with diabetes mellitus were hematological, followed by neurological, vascular, cardiac and respiratory complications. Conclusion: The complications of Covid-19 are extremely significant for people with diabetes mellitus, affecting their physical, mental and social well-being, which points to the relevance of longitudinal monitoring for effective care actions consistent with the needs of these people and their families.
Copyright (c) 2025 Geovanna Maria Isidoro, Luana Roberta Martins Milan, Isadora Lima de Araujo, Juliana Almeida Carregari, Thaylla Lino Silvério, Silvana Maria Coelho Leite Fava https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
O(s) POLYMEDICATED ELDERLY PEOPLE AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH FRAILTY SYNDROMES
Introduction: Fragility represents a state of physiological vulnerability related to age, an adverse event for the health of the elderly, with serious consequences. Objective: To identify the relationship between polypharmacy and frailty syndrome in the elderly. Method: Observational, cross-sectional research with individuals aged 60 or older, receiving care in Primary Health Care in a municipality in the Southern region of Brazil. Materials: Data collection was performed through interviews using a self-reported frailty screening instrument and the question: "Do you regularly use five or more different medications every day?". For data analysis, the chi-square test (X2) was applied to test differences between groups in associations between categorical variables. The significance level was set at α = 5%. For numerical variables, mean and standard deviation were calculated. Results: There was a relationship between polypharmacy and frailty. The higher the level of frailty, the higher the prevalence of polypharmacy. Polypharmacy was identified in 27% of the elderly, mostly in younger elderly individuals (60 to 69 years) and females. Polypharmacy was associated with mood impairment and hyposalivation. Conclusion: Morphophysiological changes in the elderly, inherent to the aging process, act in association with frailty and polypharmacy, negatively impacting the degree of autonomy, independence, and quality of life of the elderly. It is the role of the healthcare team to address these issues through multidimensional assessment in the care of the elderly in Primary Health Care.
Copyright (c) 2025 kamilla Bernardeli Miranda, Larissa Mayara Leite Telles, Jossiana Wilke Faller , Marcos Augusto Moraes Arcoverde, Larissa Nicolau Lopes https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The role of the pharmacist in mental health from the point of view of managers of Psychosocial Care Centers
Introduction: Psychosocial Care Centers are services that accommodate patients with severe and persistent mental disorders. Ordinance 336/2002 establishes which and how many professionals will compose the minimum technical team of the Psychosocial Care Centers. Not being mentioned as a member of the minimum team, the presence of the pharmacist would be conditioned to the management of each municipality. Objective: This work seeks to understand how Psychosocial Care Center managers see the role of the pharmacist in the context of mental health. Materials and methods: Six managers from an area in Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil, were interviewed. Bardin's Thematic Content Analysis was chosen as the data organization and analysis method. Results: after analyzing the interview material, two broad categories were constructed: "Hiring process" and "The mental health professional". Conclusions: It is noticed that there is a need for training in relation to the pharmacist's skills and abilities aimed at managers and other health professionals so that he is not underutilized in Psychosocial Care Centers and in other services.
Copyright (c) 2025 Priscila da Silva Soares, Valeria Teresa Saraiva Lino https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Pap smear collection in the municipality of Diadema (SP)
OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the pandemic's impact on primary care cervical cancer screening in Diadema. METHODS: Using a quantitative, retrospective approach, it analyzed data from 399 randomly chosen women in Basic Health Units. RESULTS: Findings indicated the city fell short of the 85% screening target for women aged 25 to 64 from 2018 to 2021. Most samples were of good quality, featuring squamocolumnar junction and squamous epithelium. Merely 2% displayed lesions, predominantly in the 36 to 45 age group. CONCLUSIONS: The research highlights the pandemic's substantial effect on primary care cervical cancer screening in Diadema. It caused over a 50% reduction in screenings conducted and coverage of the set target for the eligible population.
Copyright (c) 2025 Leticia Alves Conzatti, Mariana Passos do Nascimento, Anna Luisa Cataldo Tavares, Heloisa Mafra de Barros Pinto, Adriana Jimenez Pereira https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Correlation between clinical findings and self-care with the feet of patients with type 2 diabetes in the city of Mossoró-RN
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a high worldwide prevalence, currently affecting around 537 million adults. The chronic hyperglycemic state promotes the development of complications, among them, the diabetic foot, which is one of the main responsible for causing the increase in the rates of non-traumatic lower limb amputations and the increase in hospital costs. In this context of the need to prevent diseases, the Sistema Salvando o Pé Diabético (SISPED) operates, a computational tool that offers greater efficiency in screening and monitoring in order to avoid serious outcomes. In addition to SISPED, self-care with the feet of patients with DM is also essential as a preventive measure in primary care. Objective: To correlate clinical findings and self-care with feet in patients with DM2 in primary care in the city of Mossoró-RN. Methods: This is an exploratory and descriptive study carried out in 5 Basic Health Units in Mossoró-RN, using the SISPED and a self-authored questionnaire about self-care of the feet directed to patients with DM2 for data collection. Results: In the clinical findings of the SISPED, a higher prevalence of the use of inappropriate footwear, dry/scaly feet and fissures/cracks was observed. In the assessment of self-care of the feet, the inefficiency of providing basic guidelines was verified. Conclusions:The high prevalence of clinical findings associated with diabetic foot is intrinsically related to inefficiency in performing self-care with the feet, requiring an immediate preventive intervention in primary health care.
Copyright (c) 2025 Felipe Cabral Duarte, Carlos Menandro de Lima Firmino, Allysson Felipe de Farias Alexandre, Emilli Joice Saldanha Diógenes https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Health status and actions of patients under palliative care assisted by a multidisciplinary home care team: an epidemiological analysis
Introduction: Palliative care comprises a set of measures aimed at improving the quality of life of patients and family members who are faced with issues related to a disease that threatens the continuity of life. This care encompasses the prevention and relief of suffering, made possible by early identification, efficient assessment, and treatment of pain, as well as attention to other physical, psychological, and spiritual symptoms. Objectives: To identify the health status and actions of patients in palliative care assisted by a multidisciplinary home care team (MHCT). Materials and Methods: Retrospective research through the analysis of medical records of patients in palliative care assisted by an MHCT in Ceara, Brazil, between January and June 2022, to identify the epidemiological profile and compare the variables analyzed between sexes. Results: In total, 52 participants were included, 21 female and 31 male, median age 80 and 73 years, respectively, without differences between the two groups. The majority of patients were classified as complementary palliation both in the male (64.5%) and female (61.9%) groups. There were no differences between the two groups when comparing the stratification of the palliative care (p=0.38) and monthly income (p=0.98). There was a higher percentage of the presence of a partner in the group of men (74.2%; p= 0.03). Concerning comorbidities, there was a higher percentage of hypertensive women (p=0.02), without differences for other comorbidities. Conclusion: The data presented in this study highlight the importance of the multidisciplinary home care team in attending patients in palliative care.
cuidados paliativos na assistência ao paciente
Copyright (c) 2025 Thales Bezerra de Alcântara, Yára Juliano, Patrícia Colombo-Souza, Ana Paula Ribeiro, Carolina Nunes França, Neil Ferreira Novo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0