RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the medical indication and the use of elastic compression stockings, and to assess patient adherence to treatment in different regions of Brazil. METHOD: The prescription and clinical indication of elastic stockings were evaluated in a prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicentre study for a population of private patients. In 2009, 3414 patients from 123 treatment centres in southern, south-eastern and north-eastern Brazil were evaluated using a questionnaire. The following variables were analysed: sociodemographic (gender, age, occupation and education), lifestyle (physical activity and time spent standing); classification of venous disease (CEAP [clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathophysiological] classification--clinical criteria), indications for prescription, consumer behaviour (strength, acquisition and use of stockings) and criteria of satisfaction (improvement, duration of use, adherence). The effects of compression therapy were assessed at a follow-up visit approximately 30 days after starting treatment with the following items being assessed: complaints about pain, discomfort, burning sensation and oedema of the leg while using elastic stockings. Multivariate analysis was used to compare data with an alpha error of 5% (P value < 0.05) being considered acceptable. RESULTS: The average age increased with the severity of chronic venous insufficiency; the main indications used by physicians were leg pain and discomfort; 89.3% of patients bought stockings and thus started treatment with more than 90% of these reporting improvements in symptoms. CONCLUSION: Elastic stockings are available to the Brazilian population, look acceptable at the time of purchase and provide good results; however, some limitations regarding their use need to be addressed.
Assuntos
Meias de Compressão , Doenças Vasculares/terapia , Adulto , Brasil , Estudos Transversais , Elasticidade , Feminino , Humanos , Perna (Membro)/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise Multivariada , Cooperação do Paciente , Estudos Prospectivos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Veias/fisiopatologia , Insuficiência Venosa/terapiaRESUMO
AIM: The objective of the current study was to evaluate if age is related to the prevalence of neoplasms in patients presenting with deep venous thrombosis. METHODS: The existence of neoplasms was investigated in 221 female and 194 male patients suffering from deep venous thrombosis. Their ages ranged from 11 to 92 years old with a mean of 55.2 years. Thoracic radiography, endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance were requested in cases of clinically suspected neoplasms. The inclusion criterion was the presence of deep venous thrombosis and exclusion criterion was that the existence of neoplasms was not investigated. The patients were classified in age groups at 10-year intervals starting at the age of 40 years old. For statistical analysis the one sample t-test and Fisher exact test were utilized with an alpha-error of 5% considered acceptable. RESULTS: Neoplasms were detected in 3.4% of under 40-year-old patients, 5.6% between 40 and 50 years, 16.6% between 50 and 60 years, 26.8% between 60 and 70 years, 19.3% between 70 and 80 years and 10.8% in over 80-year-old. The association between neoplasms and age is significant for over 50-year-old when compared with those under 40-year-old (Fisher exact test P value <0.005) and there is a difference in percentages between the age groups (one sample t test P value=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion the prevalence of neoplasms is associated to age with the highest rate in the 60- to 70-year age group.
Assuntos
Neoplasias/epidemiologia , Trombose Venosa/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribuição por Idade , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias/diagnóstico , Prevalência , Trombose Venosa/diagnóstico , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Due to the lack of a specific treatment apparatus that enhances lymph flow, we developed a simple, easy-to-use, portable device for patients presenting with lower extremity lymphedema. The aims of the present study were to demonstrate the design and operation of the equipment and to test its efficacy. The new apparatus encourages articulation of the ankle and contraction of the muscles of the calves and feet. Eight patients with clinically diagnosed primary or secondary lymphedema were imaged by lymphscintigraphy before and after one week of using the apparatus. The images were evaluated by two experienced nuclear medicine physicians blinded to the other's results. An improvement in the lymphscintigram images was seen in all patients evaluated. This preliminary study suggests that the new apparatus was easily tolerated, enhanced lymph flow as assessed by lymphscintigraphy, and may have benefits as an adjunctive treatment. Further clinical studies are necessary to fully evaluate its use.