Papers by Valéria Maria Azeredo Passos
Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 1996
Acta Tropica, 1999
Skin biopsies from 53 patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) from the State of Mina... more Skin biopsies from 53 patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) from the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, were used for a characterization of the Leishmania parasites. A pair of primers flanking the conserved region of the Leishmania minicircle kDNA was used to obtain amplified DNA via the polymerase chain reaction. The amplified products were subsequently hybridized with Leishmania subgenus-specific radiolabeled
The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 2019
The association between cognitive performance and hemoglobin concentration has long been a topic ... more The association between cognitive performance and hemoglobin concentration has long been a topic of debate, but few data for middle-aged persons have been explored. The authors examined the association between anemia and cognitive performance at baseline assessment in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a multicenter cohort study of individuals from six Brazilian cities. Methods: A total of 13,624 participants (mean age=51.6 years [SD=9.0]) were included in this cross-sectional study. Cognitive performance was evaluated by using standardized scores for verbal learning, late recall, word recognition, a semantic verbal fluency test, and the Trail-Making Test, Part B (TMT-B). The association between anemia and cognitive performance was examined by using linear regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors. Results: Anemia was diagnosed in 713 (5.2%) participants. No association was found between anemia and worse cognitive performance for the main models. Global cognitive scores were similar between participants with and without anemia in adjusted models for the entire sample (b=-0.004; 95% CI=-0.052, 0.044) or for men (b=0.047; 95% CI=-0.053, 0.146) and women (b=-0.015; 95% CI=-0.070, 0.040) separately. In addition, hemoglobin levels (in quintile groups) were not associated with global cognitive scores. Similarly, no significant associations with anemia or hemoglobin levels were observed when each cognitive performance test was evaluated separately. Conclusions: Anemia and hemoglobin levels were not associated with worse cognitive performance in this large cohort.
Sao Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicina
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading health problem globally and generate high numbers... more Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading health problem globally and generate high numbers of premature deaths and loss of quality of life. The aim here was to describe the major groups of causes of death due to NCDs and the ranking of the leading causes of premature death between 1990 and 2015, according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2015 study estimates for Brazil. Cross-sectional study covering Brazil and its 27 federal states. This was a descriptive study on rates of mortality due to NCDs, with corrections for garbage codes and underreporting of deaths. This study shows the epidemiological transition in Brazil between 1990 and 2015, with increasing proportional mortality due to NCDs, followed by violence, and decreasing mortality due to communicable, maternal and neonatal causes within the global burden of diseases. NCDs had the highest mortality rates over the whole period, but with reductions in cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and cancer. D...
Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria, 2016
Stroke mortality rates are declining in Brazil, but diferences among regions need to be better in... more Stroke mortality rates are declining in Brazil, but diferences among regions need to be better investigated. The age-adjusted stroke mortality trends among adults (30-69 years-old) from Brazilian regions were studied between 1996 and 2011. Method Data were analyzed after: 1) reallocation of deaths with non-registered sex or age; 2) redistribution of garbage codes and 3) underreporting correction. A linear regression model with autoregressive errors and a state space model were fitted to the data, aiming the estimation of annual trends at every point in time. Results Although there were high values, a steady decrease of rates was observed. The decreasing trends among all regions were statistically significant, with higher values of decline among the Northeast and Northern regions, where rates were the highest. Conclusion Standardized methodology use is mandatory for correct interpretation of mortality estimates. Although declining, rates are still extremely high and efforts must be m...
Bulletin of The World Health Organization, 2000
While relapses following clinical cure of American cutaneous leishmaniasis are frequent, no test ... more While relapses following clinical cure of American cutaneous leishmaniasis are frequent, no test has been described until now to predict such relapses. A cohort of 318 American cutaneous leishmaniasis patients was followed up for two years after treatment with meglumine antimoniate, during which time 32 relapses occurred, 30 in the first year and two in the second (accumulated risk: 10.5%). No association was found between these relapses and the parasite-specific antibody response before and after treatment, or between the relapses and stratification by sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. However when Leishmania was used as antigen, patients with a negative skin test at the time of diagnosis presented a 3.4-fold higher risk (hazard risk = 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-7.0) of American cutaneous leishmaniasis relapse, compared with patients with a positive response. This result shows that the skin test can be a predictor of American cutaneous leishmaniasis relapse after treatment.
Medicine, 2015
To estimate the association between 2 markers for atherosclerosis, measurements of carotid artery... more To estimate the association between 2 markers for atherosclerosis, measurements of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and of peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT), and to evaluate the role of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in this association.We applied the 2 diagnostic tests to 588 participants from the ELSA-Brazil longitudinal study cohort. The PAT measurements, obtained with the EndoPAT2000, were the reactive hyperemia index (RHI), the Framingham RHI (F-RHI), and the mean basal pulse amplitude (BPA). We used the mean of the mean scores of carotid IMT of the distal layers of the left and right common carotids obtained by ultrasonography after 3 cardiac cycles. We used linear regression and the Spearman correlation coefficient to test the relationship between the 2 markers, and multiple linear regressions to exam the relationship between the RHI/F-RHI scores and the mean BPA and IMT scores after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.In the multivariate analysis,...
The Journal of rheumatology, 2006
To investigate the association of arthritis with health status indicators among elders living in ... more To investigate the association of arthritis with health status indicators among elders living in Bambuí, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1606 elders using baseline data from the Bambuí Health and Aging Study, a population based cohort study of older adults. Arthritis was self-reported and defined as a physician diagnosis of arthritis or rheumatism, and/or chronic hand and knee symptoms. Health status indicators, defined a priori as the main independent variables, were self-rated health, psychological distress (based on the General Health Questionnaire), report of sleep complaints, disability in activities of daily living (ADL), "2-week" disability, mobility disability, and 2 composite indexes of mental health problems and physical disability problems. Logistic regression compared health status indicators among elders reporting arthritis (N = 833) and non-arthritis subjects. After controlling for sociodemographics and chronic conditions, all measures wer...
Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache, Jan 12, 2014
Background and aim: Most studies assessing the association between migraine and obesity have show... more Background and aim: Most studies assessing the association between migraine and obesity have shown conflicting results. We aimed to evaluate the association between obesity and migraine in ELSA-Brasil, a cohort study of 15,105 individuals aged 35-74 years. Methods: We assessed migraine using a validated questionnaire based on International Headache Society criteria and anthropometric measurements using standard techniques. Migraine was categorized as daily and non-daily. World Health Organization criteria were used to categorize overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity (AbO). We performed a cross-sectional analysis using multivariate logistic regression models to study the association between migraine and obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m(2)), compared to controls without migraine. Results: We found an association between daily migraine and obesity (odds ratio (OR) 1.86; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.12-3.09). Although the presence of AbO was not associated with migrai...
Sao Paulo Medical Journal, 2005
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Diabetes is an increasing cause of death in developing countries. Our obje... more CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Diabetes is an increasing cause of death in developing countries. Our objective was to describe the prevalence and clinical factors associated with diabetes and impaired fasting glycemia among adults (18-59 years) and elderly adults (60+ years). DESIGN AND SETTING: Population based, cross-sectional study in Bambuí, Brazil. METHODS: 816 adult and 1,494 elderly participants were interviewed; weight, height and blood pressure measured; and blood samples collected. Diabetes was defined as plasma fasting glucose > 126 mg/dl and/or use of hypoglycemic agents; impaired fasting glycemia as glycemia of 110-125 mg/dl. Associations were investigated using multinomial logistical regression (reference: fasting glycemia < 109 mg/dl). RESULTS: Among the elderly, 218 (14.59%) presented diabetes and 199 (13.32%) impaired fasting glycemia, whereas adult prevalences were 2.33% and 5.64%. After multinomial analysis, diabetes remained associated, for adults, with increased w...
Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 1997
Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 2014
ObjectiveTo describe the relationship between mood/anxiety disorders and migraine headaches empha... more ObjectiveTo describe the relationship between mood/anxiety disorders and migraine headaches emphasizing the frequency of episodes based in a cross‐sectional analysis in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health.BackgroundIt has been suggested that frequency of migraine headaches can be directly associated with the presence of psychiatric disorders.MethodsMigraine headaches (International Headache Society criteria) was classified as <1×/month, 1×/month‐1×/week, 2‐6×/week, and daily. Psychiatric disorders using the Clinical Interview Schedule – Revised were classified in 6 categories: common mental (CMD), major depressive (MDD), generalized anxiety (GAD), panic, obsessive‐compulsive (OCD), and mixed anxiety and depressive (MADD) disorders. We performed multivariate logistic models adjusted for age, race, education, marital status, income, and use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.ResultsIn our sample, 1261 presented definite migraine and 10,531 without migraine head...
Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 2003
The coexistence of obesity (body mass index, BMI > or = 30kg/m²) and underweight (BMI <= 20... more The coexistence of obesity (body mass index, BMI > or = 30kg/m²) and underweight (BMI <= 20kg/m²) and related factors were investigated among all residents aged 60+ years in Bambuí, Minas Gerais State, using multinomial logistic regression. 1,451 (85.5%) of the town's elderly participated. Mean BMI was 25.0 (SD = 4.9kg/m²) and was higher for women and decreased with age. Prevalence of obesity was 12.5% and was positively associated with female gender, family income, hypertension, and diabetes and inversely related to physical activity. Underweight affected 14.8% of participants, increased with age, and was higher among men and low-income families. It was negatively associated with hypertension and diabetes and directly associated with Trypanosoma cruzi infection and > or = 2 hospitalizations in the previous 12 months. Both obesity and underweight were associated with increased morbidity. The association of underweight with T. cruzi infection, increased hospitalization, ...
Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 1998
Human T-lymphotropic virus types I and II (HTLV-I/II) are blood-transmitted retroviruses associat... more Human T-lymphotropic virus types I and II (HTLV-I/II) are blood-transmitted retroviruses associated with leukemia, myelopathy, and uveitis. From 51,135 eligible blood donors at the Fundação Hemominas tested in 1993, 689 (1.35%) were repeatedly reactive to HTLV-I/II antibodies by enzyme immunoassay and were notified accordingly. Routes of transmission and preventive measures were emphasized in the orientation. Supplementary laboratory tests should be available and free of cost. Health services should recommend the use of latex condoms and make them available. Avoiding shared use of needles or syringes is important for both the seropositive donor and public health in general. In a country with such widespread malnutrition, the benefits of breast-feeding usually outweigh the risks of virus transmission. Based on our experience, we recommend that: 1) identical orientation be given to donors by all health professionals involved in counseling; 2) level of schooling be considered and information provided accordingly; 3) donors be assisted in understanding and assessing available information; 4) psychological assistance be provided to anxious or depressed donors; and 5) joint counseling be offered to donors with stable partners.
Epidemiologia e Serviços de Saúde, 2006
Resumo Estudos epidemiológicos sobre a hipertensão arterial são fundamentais para conhecer a dist... more Resumo Estudos epidemiológicos sobre a hipertensão arterial são fundamentais para conhecer a distribuição da exposição e do adoecimento e as condições que influenciam a dinâmica de risco e controle na comunidade. Este artigo analisa estudos de prevalência de hipertensão no Brasil, de base populacional, em adultos, a partir de 1990. Foram incluídos todos os estudos publicados nas bases Medline e LILACS. A análise considerou a população-alvo, o desenho do estudo, o plano amostral, as características sociodemográficas da população-alvo, os critério de definição de hipertensão e a análise estatística. Nos 13 estudos selecionados, as taxas de prevalência mostram que cerca de 20% dos adultos apresentam hipertensão, sem distinção por sexo, mas também com evidente tendência de aumento com a idade. Os estudos ainda estão restritos às Regiões Sul e Sudeste. É marcante a preocupação com a metodologia e precisão da estimativa da prevalência. Ainda são escassos, entretanto, estudos sobre conhecimento, tratamento e controle da hipertensão.
Sao Paulo Medical Journal, 2014
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE:Many uncertainties concerning risk factors and evolution of cognitive disor... more CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE:Many uncertainties concerning risk factors and evolution of cognitive disorders remain. We describe the methods and preliminary results from the investigation of the cognitive function in the Longitudinal Study on Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).DESIGN AND SETTING:Multicenter cohort study on public employees at six public teaching and research institutions.METHODS:The participants were interviewed and examined to obtain a broad range of social, clinical and environmental characteristics. The following standardized tools were used to assess memory, language and visuospatial and executive functions: words or figure memory test; semantic (animals) and phonemic (letter F) verbal fluency tests; and trail test B.RESULTS:15,101 out of 15,105 participants took the cognitive tests: 54% were women; the mean age was 51 years; and 52% had a university degree. 14,965 participants (99%) did the word test and 136 (1%) did the figure test due to low schooling level. The scores from...
Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública, 2007
Objective. To estimate diabetes-related deaths among Brazilian adults between 1999 and 2003 and t... more Objective. To estimate diabetes-related deaths among Brazilian adults between 1999 and 2003 and to investigate demographic factors associated with reporting diabetes as an associated cause of death. Methods. All deaths with diabetes as the underlying or associated cause were identified using the Brazilian Mortality Data System. Analysis was performed by sex, age, year, state of residence, and place of death. Mortality rates were age standardized by the 2000 Brazilian population. Findings. A total of 237 946 deaths (8.8%) were related to diabetes; in 4.2% of deaths it was the underlying cause and in 4.6% it was an associated cause. Between 1999 and 2003, agestandardized mortality rates for diabetes as the underlying cause increased 14% among males and 9% among females, while mortality with diabetes as an associated cause increased 22% and 28%, respectively. Diabetes appeared more often as an associated cause in death certificates among older individuals and in those residing in São Paulo State; it appeared less often as an associated cause among women, brown-and black-skinned populations, and in deaths occurring outside hospitals. Cardiovascular diseases accounted for 54.5% of the underlying causes of death when diabetes was an associated cause. Conclusion. Diabetes was related to almost 9% of the deaths in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. Mortality from diabetes is increasing, especially deaths with diabetes as an associated cause. The probability of having diabetes as the underlying cause of death is greater among women and nonwhite individuals. Our results reinforce the importance of using multiple causes of death to monitor diabetes, because half the individuals with the disease will die of another cause, especially cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes mellitus; mortality; causes of death; death certificates; Brazil.
Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública, 2009
Journal of Hypertension, 2013
Background: Endothelial dysfunction is associated to cardiovascular risk factors and predicts car... more Background: Endothelial dysfunction is associated to cardiovascular risk factors and predicts cardiovascular events. Peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) is a non-invasive method to assess endothelial function. However, there is a paucity of data about its reproducibility. Knowing the reproducibility of PAT is essential to interpret its results, as well as to contribute to sample size planning. The aim of this study was to assess the reproducibility of PAT in adults concurrently by parameters of agreement and reliability. methods: PAT exams were performed twice in the same day in 123 participants of a cohort about the determinants of cardiovascular diseases (Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health [[Unable to Display Character: –]] ELSA-Brasil). Endothelial function in PAT method is measured by reactive hyperemia index (RHI), an automatically calculated index, which evaluates arterial pulsatile volume changes in response to hyperemia. Agreement of RHI values was compared by Bland-Altman method and coefficient of variation. Reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). results: Mean values of RHI did not differ significantly between the exams of each participant (1.92±0.56 vs. 1.96±0.58, p=0.48). There were no systematic errors between the exams (mean of differences =-0.03±0.5). Measurement error was 0.35, coefficient of variation was 18.0% and ICC was 0.61. Gender, age or the presence of obesity did not have a considerable influence on the reproducibility of PAT. conclusions:PAT exam is feasible and has acceptable reproducibility in adults when compared to other non-invasive methods for endothelial function assessment. This performance makes PAT a promising method for clinical and epidemiological studies.
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 1999
Electrocardiographic changes during meglumine therapy Electrocardiographic changes during low-dos... more Electrocardiographic changes during meglumine therapy Electrocardiographic changes during low-dose, short-term therapy of cutaneous leishmaniasis with the pentavalent antimonial meglumine
Uploads
Papers by Valéria Maria Azeredo Passos