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Introdução: A COVID-19 é reconhecida como uma doença respiratória que apresenta elevada transmissibilidade e distribuição global, tendo as pessoas idosas como grupo de maior risco de desenvolver complicações, com potencial para debilidades. Objetivo: Avaliar as implicações da COVID-19 no estado funcional da pessoa idosa após infecção aguda e identificar os fatores associados ao comprometimento funcional. Método: O estudo foi dividido em duas etapas: 1) revisão de escopo, conduzida de acordo com o método proposto pelo Instituto Joanna Briggs. A busca na literatura ocorreu nos meses de dezembro de 2022 a fevereiro de 2023 nas bases de dados Cochrane Library; PubMed; Scopus e Web of Science. Foram utilizados os descritores constantes no Descritores em Ciência da Saúde (DecS) e Medical Subject Headings (MeSH); 2) estudo descritivo, transversal, realizado em uma unidade de Atenção Primária à Saúde do município de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, com pessoas idosas residentes da comunidade pós-covid-19. Foram coletados dados referentes às características sociodemográficas, estado nutricional, hábitos de vida e condições de saúde, bem como o nível de desempenho funcional. Resultados: 1) Identificou-se 817 estudos potencialmente elegíveis. Destes 12 foram selecionados por atenderem aos critérios de elegibilidade. A busca complementar possibilitou a inclusão de mais um artigo, totalizando 13 estudos que compuseram a amostra final. O comprometimento funcional pós-COVID-19 esteve presente na maioria dos estudos incluídos na amostra. Os fatores associados a este declínio incluíram fragilidade e inatividade física anterior à infecção, idade mais avançada, complicações durante a infecção, tempo de ventilação mecânica e de internação e comorbidades. 2) Dentre os 30 participantes avaliados, observou-se predomínio de baixo desempenho funcional, apresentando como fatores correlacionados, a idade avançada, gênero feminino, multimorbidades e ausência de atividade física. Considerações finais: A COVID19 pode ocasionar desfechos negativos na funcionalidade da pessoa idosa, mesmo após a recuperação, levando a limitações no desempenho físico das atividades de vida diária. Portanto, a implementação de um cuidado integral, estruturado na avaliação multidimensional é imprescindível (AU).

Introduction: COVID-19 is recognized as a respiratory disease that has high transmissibility and global distribution, with elderly people being the group most at risk of developing complications, with the potential for weaknesses. Objective: To evaluate the implications of COVID-19 on the functional status of elderly people after acute infection and identify factors associated with functional impairment. Method: The study was divided into two stages: 1) scoping review, conducted according to the method proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The literature search took place from December 2022 to February 2023 in the Cochrane Library databases; PubMed; Scopus and Web of Science. The descriptors contained in the Health Science Descriptors (DecS) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) were used; 2) descriptive, cross-sectional study, carried out in a Primary Health Care unit in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, with elderly people living in the post-covid-19 community. Data were collected regarding sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional status, lifestyle habits and health conditions, as well as the level of functional performance. Results: 1) 817 potentially eligible studies were identified. Of these, 12 were selected because they met the eligibility criteria. The complementary search allowed the inclusion of one more article, totaling 13 studies that made up the final sample. Post-COVID-19 functional impairment was present in most studies included in the sample. Factors associated with this decline included frailty and physical inactivity prior to infection, older age, complications during infection, length of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization, and comorbidities. 2) Among the 30 participants evaluated, a predominance of low functional performance was observed, with correlated factors including advanced age, female gender, multimorbidities and lack of physical activity. Final considerations: COVID-19 can cause negative outcomes in the functionality of elderly people, even after recovery, leading to limitations in the physical performance of activities of daily living. Therefore, the implementation of comprehensive care, structured in multidimensional assessment, is essential (AU).

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BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem worldwide. Although TBI is common in developing countries, there are few epidemiological studies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sociodemographic and clinical features of patients with TBI at the Hospital João XXIII, a public reference center for trauma in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and to systematically review the available literature on TBI in Brazil. METHODS: Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected from electronic medical records for the entire month of July 2016. The literature on epidemiology of TBI in Brazil was systematically reviewed using MeSH/DeCS descriptors in the PubMed and Lilacs databases. RESULTS: Most patients admitted with TBI were male and under 60 years of age. Mild TBI was the most prevalent form and the most common cause of TBI was falls. A Glasgow Coma Scale score below 12, neuroimaging changes on computer tomography, and presence of any medical conditions were significantly associated with longer hospital stay. Brazilian studies showed that TBI affected mainly men and young adults. In addition, mild TBI was the most common TBI severity reported and the most common causes were motor vehicle accidents and falls. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the profile of TBI in this center reflects the data from other Brazilian studies.

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Design The study was a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement and the guidelines from the Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions.Data sources Literature searches of free text and MeSH terms were performed using Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library (from 2000 to 30 June 2020). The search strategy was: ("oral screening devices" or "autofluorescence" or "chemiluminescence" or "optical imaging" or "imaging technique") and ("oral dysplasia" or "oral malignant lesions" or "oral precancerosis").Data analysis After identification of 1,282 potential articles, an analysis applying the eligibility criteria to the research identified 43 articles for qualitative evaluation and 34 for quantitative analysis.Results The results presented were inconsistent, both in the whole and in technique groups. There was evidence of high risk of bias in the evaluated studies. Moreover, the results were homogeneous across studies, which makes it challenging to carry out a reliable comparison of measures like specificity or positive/negative predictive values.Conclusions Imaging-based techniques for early diagnosis of potentially malignant oral lesions must improve technology and accuracy. In addition, none of the evaluated methods can substitute the oral biopsy.

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Resumen Los estudio de cohortes (EC), son estudios de carácter longitudinal, observacional y analíticos. Corresponden a uno de los diseños más utilizados en investigación clínica, aportando altos niveles de evidencia, según el tipo de escenario en los que se aplique. Los EC tienen como objetivos, determinar asociación entre un factor de exposición y el desarrollo de alguna enfermedad o evento de interés, a partir de la estimación de riesgos; conocer la historia natural o el curso clínico de una enfermedad o de un evento de interés; determinar supervivencia; estudiar factores protectores y pronósticos. Los EC tienen diversas aplicaciones, por ejemplo: investigación de brotes epidemiológicos, estudios de causalidad, evaluación de intervenciones educacionales, etc. Teóricamente, la mejor aproximación es mediante un estudio de cohortes prospectivas; sin embargo, suelen exigir largos períodos de tiempo de seguimiento para obtener resultados útiles; por lo tanto, se puede recurrir a otras estrategias, como a los estudios retrospectivos y otros, que pueden resultar más factibles respecto de recursos y tiempos de seguimiento. El objetivo de este manuscrito fue generar un documento de estudio referente a descripción, metodología y aplicaciones de los EC en ciencias de la salud.

Cohort studies (CS) are longitudinal, observational and analytical studies. As one of the most utilized designs in clinical research, CS provides high levels of evidence, depending on the type of scenario in which they are applied. The objectives of CS are to determine the association between an exposure factor and the development of a disease or event of interest, based on the estimation of risks. Additionally, CS aim to provide insight into the natural history or the clinical course of an event of interest as well as generate results with regard to determine survival; study protective studies and prognostic factors. CS have various applications, for example: epidemiological outbreak research, causality studies, evaluation of educational interventions, etc. Theoretically, the method to generate the best approximations is through the use of a prospective CS; however, these usually require long periods of time performing follow-up to obtain useful results; therefore, it is possible to use other strategies, such as retrospective CS among others, which may be more feasible with respect to resources and monitoring times. The aim of this manuscript was to generate a document with reference to the description, methodology and applications of the CS in health sciences

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ABSTRACT Objective To establish hematotoxic alterations through clinical and paraclinical exploration in workers who are exposed to organophosphorus pesticides, carbamates and pyrethroids (OPCP) due to their work in production, packaging, distribution and fumigation processes in Cundinamarca-Colombia between 2016 and 2017. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological study was carried out on a sample of 92 workers from six companies, mostly aged between 18 and 30 years, of which 61 % were males and 39 % females, and 71 % were workers in the operational area and 29 % in the administrative area. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results Clinical exploration reported findings in 17 % of the sample group, of which only 2 % presented with erythrocyte cholinesterase outside the reference range. The values of hematological parameters such as peripheral blood smear (PBS) and complete blood count (CBC) were outside the range in 15 % and 47 % of the sample, respectively. Discussion The results suggest that there are hematological alterations in this group that could possibly be associated with chronic exposure to OPCP.

RESUMEN Objetivo Determinar las alteraciones hematotóxicas a través de una exploración clínica y paraclínica, en trabajadores que por su oficio se exponen a pesticidas organofosforados, carbamatos y piretroides (POCP), en procesos de producción, envase, distribución y fumigación, en el departamento de Cundinamarca Colombia. Metodología Se realizó un estudio epidemiológico descriptivo de corte transversal. Se realizó un análisis univariado, bivariado y multivariado. La muestra se conforma por 92 trabajadores de seis empresas, la mayoría entre los 18 y 30 años, de los cuales el 61 % son hombres y el 39 % mujeres, 71 % se desempeñan en el área operativa y 29 % en el área administrativa. Resultados Es de resaltar que se tienen hallazgos en la exploración clínica en el 17 % del grupo participante, solo el 2 % presenta la colinesterasa eritrocitaria por fuera del rango de referencia. Los parámetros hematológicos como el frotis de sangre periférica (FSP) presentan valores por fuera de los rangos en el 15 % y el cuadro hemático (CH) tiene valores por fuera de los rangos en el 47 % de las personas. Discusión Los resultados sugieren que existen alteraciones hematológicas en este grupo y que posiblemente podrían estar asociadas con la exposición crónica a POCP.

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RESUMEN Objetivos Describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los pacientes diagnosticados con epidermólisis bullosa (EB), en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño (INSN) en Lima, Perú; centro de referencia nacional para esta enfermedad. Material y métodos Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Se revisaron las historias clínicas y exámenes de laboratorio de los pacientes diagnosticados de EB atendidos en el INSN desde 1993 al 2015. Resultados Fueron registrados 93 pacientes. La edad promedio fue de 7,9 ± 5,6 años; el 53,8% (n=50) fueron hombres. Las formas clínicas correspondieron a EB distrófica con 41 (44,1%) casos, EB simple con 39 (41,9%) casos, EB de la unión con 8 (8,6%) y al síndrome de Kindler con 4 (4,3%) casos. No se pudo identificar la forma clínica en un caso. Procedían de Lima y Callao 48 casos (51,6%) y 45 casos (48,4%) de otras provincias del país. Entre las manifestaciones extracutáneas se registraron compromiso gastrointestinal (44,1%), ocular (37,6%), odontogénico (87,1%), nutricional (79,6%), además de pseudosindactilia (16,1%). Se halló desnutrición crónica (71,6%), desnutrición aguda (17,6%) y anemia en (62,4%). La mortalidad correspondió a 6 casos (6,5%). Conclusiones Se reportan 93 casos de EB en el INSN, la presentación clínica predominante fue la forma distrófica.

ABSTRACT Objectives To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) at the Instituto Nacional de Salud (INSN) in Lima, Peru; a National Reference Center for this disease. Materials and methods Observational, descriptive and transversal study. We reviewed the clinical histories and laboratory tests of patients diagnosed with EB treated in INSN from 1993 to 2015. Results 93 patients were registered. The average age was 7.9 ± 5.6 years; 53.8% (n = 50) were boys. Clinical forms corresponded to dystrophic EB with 41 (44.1%) cases, simple EB with 39 (41.9%), union EB cases with 8 (8.6%) and Kindler syndrome with 4 (4.3%) cases. The clinical form could not be identified in a case. A total of 48 cases (51.6%) came from Lima and Callao, and 45 cases (48.4%) from other provinces of the country. Extracutaneous manifestations involved gastrointestinal (44.1%), ocular (37.6%), odontogenic (87.1%), and nutritional (79.6%) involvement, as well as pseudosindactilia (16.1%). Chronic malnutrition (71.6%), acute malnutrition (17.6%) and anemia (62.4%) were found. Mortality corresponded to 6 cases (6.5%). Conclusions 93 cases of EB were reported in INSN, the predominant clinical presentation was the dystrophic form.

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Los estudios económicos han ido ganando importancia en el mundo de las publicaciones científicas. De apenas quinientos estudios registrados en la base de datos de PubMed en 2000 con el descriptor "Costos y Análisis de Costo ("Costs and Cost Analysis"[Mesh]), se ha pasado a nueve mil publicaciones en 2014. Para nadie es un secreto que el costo de una terapia debe entrar en la fórmula, junto a su efectividad y su seguridad, al momento de tomar una decisión clínica. Muchos de los estudios se concentran en enfermedades de alto costo, como el cáncer, que registra 771 estudios publicados en el lapso 2013-2014. Pero también son de interés las enfermedades de alta prevalencia, así el costo del tratamiento del paciente individual no sea tan elevado. Es el caso de la depresión, con 602 estudios económicos en el mismo lapso.Este número de Acta Médica Colombiana presenta los resultados de la "Evaluación económica de las principales intervenciones farmacológicas como monoterapia para el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial leve a moderada recién diagnosticada" adelantada por el equipo que lideró Rodolfo Dennis, de la Fundación Cardioinfantil de Bogotá (1). Su conclusión es que, en el paciente hipotético de 65 años que inicia terapia antihipertensiva, la monoterapia con diuréticos, al ser similar en efectividad a las terapias con inhibidores de enzima convertidora, bloqueadores del receptor de angiotensina o calcio antagonistas, resulta ser la opción más adecuada, al repre-sentar un ahorro para el sistema de salud de entre seis y veinte millones de pesos de 2011 por paciente, en valor presente, y considerando toda la vida del paciente.

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The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence on the barriers and facilitators to the use of bicycles in adults. Search terms were defined using Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and evidence was searched in the following databases: Lilacs, SciELO, PubMed, Web of Science and Science Direct. A total of seven studies met the inclusion criteria and showed that the main barriers and facilitators to the use of bicycles are related to the physical, social and natural environment characteristics and individual characteristics (cognitive, psychological and emotional aspects). Interventions in the area of public health should consider these features to increase the use of bicycles in adults.

O objetivo desta revisão sistemática foi sintetizar as evidências sobre as barreiras e os facilitadores para o uso de bicicleta em adultos. Foram utilizados termos de busca padronizados pelos Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS) e Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) para localizar as evidências nas bases Lilacs, SciELO, PubMed, Web of Science e Science Direct. Sete estudos atenderam os critérios de inclusão e mostraram que as principais barreiras e facilitadores para o uso da bicicleta guardam relação com características do ambiente físico, social e natural, além de características individuais e aspectos cognitivos, psicológicos e emocionais. Intervenções na área da saúde pública poderiam considerar estas características para aumentar o uso de bicicleta em adultos.

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Os objetivos desta revisão foram sintetizar as evidências e identificar as variáveis associadas com o uso de espaços públicos abertos para a prática de atividade física. A revisão sistemática foi realizada em periódicos revisados por pares e indexados nas bases de dados Lilacs, SciELO, PubMed e Web of Science utilizando descritores padronizados pelo Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) e Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS). Foram incluídos estudos originais, quantitativos, publicados a partir de 1998 e realizados com adultos. Quinze estudos atenderam os critérios de inclusão e, no total, 42 variáveis individuais, sociais e ambientais foram testadas. Idade mais jovem e prática de atividade física foram consistentemente associadas com o uso dos locais, enquanto sexo masculino e proximidade da residência apresentaram possível associação positiva. Estes resultados podem auxiliar profissionais a focarem as intervenções para aumentar o uso dos locais em grupos específicos da população.

The aims of this review were to summarize the evidence and to identify the variables associated with the use of public open spaces for physical activity (POSPA). A systematic review was conducted in peer-reviewed journals and indexed in the databases Lilacs, SciELO, PubMed and Web of Science, according to descriptors from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS). Only empirical quantitative studies, published since 1998 and conducted with adults were included. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria and 42 individual, social and environmental variables were identified. Younger age and physical activity practices were consistently associated with the use of POSPA, while males and proximity of residence showed possible positive association. These results can help practitioners to target interventions to specific population groups to increase the use POSPA.

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OBJECTIVES: To perform a systematic review of neurologic involvement in Systemic sclerosis (SSc) and Localized Scleroderma (LS), describing clinical features, neuroimaging, and treatment. METHODS: We performed a literature search in PubMed using the following MeSH terms, scleroderma, systemic sclerosis, localized scleroderma, localized scleroderma "en coup de sabre", Parry-Romberg syndrome, cognitive impairment, memory, seizures, epilepsy, headache, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D), SF-36, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), neuropsychiatric, psychosis, neurologic involvement, neuropathy, peripheral nerves, cranial nerves, carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar entrapment, tarsal tunnel syndrome, mononeuropathy, polyneuropathy, radiculopathy, myelopathy, autonomic nervous system, nervous system, electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Patients with other connective tissue disease knowingly responsible for nervous system involvement were excluded from the analyses. RESULTS: A total of 182 case reports/studies addressing SSc and 50 referring to LS were identified. SSc patients totalized 9506, while data on 224 LS patients were available. In LS, seizures (41.58%) and headache (18.81%) predominated. Nonetheless, descriptions of varied cranial nerve involvement and hemiparesis were made. Central nervous system involvement in SSc was characterized by headache (23.73%), seizures (13.56%) and cognitive impairment (8.47%). Depression and anxiety were frequently observed (73.15% and 23.95%, respectively). Myopathy (51.8%), trigeminal neuropathy (16.52%), peripheral sensorimotor polyneuropathy (14.25%), and carpal tunnel syndrome (6.56%) were the most frequent peripheral nervous system involvement in SSc. Autonomic neuropathy involving cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems was regularly described. Treatment of nervous system involvement, on the other hand, varied in a case-to-case basis. However, corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide were usually prescribed in severe cases. CONCLUSIONS: Previously considered a rare event, nervous system involvement in scleroderma has been increasingly recognized. Seizures and headache are the most reported features in LS en coup de sabre, while peripheral and autonomic nervous systems involvement predominate in SSc. Moreover, recently, reports have frequently documented white matter lesions in asymptomatic SSc patients, suggesting smaller branches and perforating arteries involvement.

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OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic review of HIV progression models to identify the mathematical structures used, the main research questions and key model aspects in terms of quality and robustness. METHODS: We searched for articles published before February 2009 that described models of HIV progression in humans. We included two strategies of search with and without MeSH terms. We classified the models by their mathematical structure and research question. We created a checklist of desirable features of the models, reviewed and classified the articles to inform our conclusions. RESULTS: Among 3491 articles found, 93 met the inclusion criteria. Among the selected articles, 60 used transition models, 25 applied differential equations, and eight had other structures. We did not find a relation between the type of question explored and the modeling method used. None of the studies complied with the complete set of items in the checklist, but 6.5% cover at least 90% of them. CONCLUSION: There is an enormous heterogeneity of HIV modeling exercises in terms of methods used and topics addressed, as well as in the presentation of key aspects of the articles in terms of quality and robustness.

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Objetivo: El virus linfotrópico de células T humanas (HTLV) fue el primer retrovirus humano descubierto en 1979, sin embargo actualmente no se tiene un estimado real a nivel mundial y nacional de su prevalencia en población general. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en Medline, LILACS y en 4 revistas biomédicas peruanas usando los términos DeCS/Mesh: ôHTLV-Iõ, ôHTLV-I infectionõ, ôHuman T-lymphotropic virus Iõ, ôHTLV-IIõ, ôHTLV-II infectionõ y ôPeruõ. Se determinó la prevalencia en grupos vulnerables y en grupos seleccionados de población general. Resultados: En la búsqueda en Medline y LILACS un total de 50 artículos fueron publicados entre 1988 y 2010; de los cuales sólo 19 (38%) de ellos fueron estudios epidemiológicos de HTLV en el Perú. Adicionalmente, en las cuatro revistas biomédicas peruanas analizadas, cinco estudios fueron observacionales de tipo transversal. Los estudios analizados incluyeron 20805 participantes, de los cuales 846 tuvieron serología positiva para HTLV I/II. La prevalencia promedio de HTLV I/II en los grupos seleccionados de población general fue de 4.85% (IC95%: 2.84-7.36) y 5.11% (IC95%: 2.28-8.99) en grupos vulnerables. Conclusiones: En el Perú no existe información sobre la prevalencia de HTLV I/II en la población general. En base a los estudios analizados, Perú es un país endémico de HTLV-I, en grupos seleccionados de población general y en grupos de vulnerables para infecciones de transmisión sexual. En base a estas conclusiones es necesario implementar políticas de salud preventivas como tamizaje prenatal de HTLV y recomendación de lactancia materna hasta el sexto mes o el tamizaje neonatal.

Human T-cel Lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) was the first human retrovirus discovered at 1979, however currently do not have a real estimate global and national prevalence in general population. Methods: We realized a systemic research in Medline, LILACS and four Peruvian biomedical journals using DeCS/Mesh terms: ôHTLV-Iõ, ôHTLV-I infectionõ, ôHTLV-IIõ, ôHTLV-II infectionõ and ôPeruõ. We determinate the prevalence in vulnerable groups and in selected groups of general population. Results: In the search in Medline and LILACS a total of 50 articles were published between 1988 and 2010. Of these, only 19 (38%) were epidemiological studies in Peru. Additionally, in the four Peruvian biomedical journals analyzed, 5 studies were cross sectional studies. The studies analyzed included 20 805 participants, of whom 846 had tested positive for HTLV I / II. The average prevalence of HTLV I/II in selected groups of general population was 4.85% (95% CI: 2.84-7.36) and 5.11% (95% CI: 2.28-8.99) in vulnerable groups. Conclusions: In Peru, there is no information about prevalence of HTLV I/II in general population. Based on the studies reviewed, Peru is an endemic country for HTLV-I in selected groups of general population and vulnerable groups for sexually transmitted infection. Based on these findings is necessary to develop preventive health as HTLV antenatal screening and recommendation of breastfeeding until the sixth month or neonatal screening.

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Introducción: Durante las dos últimas décadas ha habido una explosión de estudios de evaluación de la calidad de vida. En este estudio se abordaron las principales estrategias metodológicas, entre ellas la elección del instrumento óptimo, propiedades psicométricas básicas y tiempos de evaluación de la calidad de vida. Objetivos: Proporcionar definiciones fundamentales útiles, describir las herramientas existentes y enunciar los desafíos en la interpretación de estudios de calidad de vida. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda narrativa de la literatura con la siguiente estrategia de búsqueda: “(‘Quality of Life’[MeSH] AND (‘Research’[MeSH] OR ‘Epidemiologic Research Design’[MeSH] OR ‘Health Services Research’[MeSH])) AND (‘Oncology Service, Hospital’[MeSH] OR ‘Medical Oncology’[MeSH])”. La indagación contempló el período comprendido entre 1966 y 2007. La estrategia de búsqueda fue adaptada a cada una de las bases de datos consultadas: Medline, Cochrane, LILACS y SciELO. Resultados: Se encontraron, por título y resumen, 189 artículos, a criterio de los autores, de los cuales fueron seleccionados 54 para esta revisión. No se obtuvieron cuatro artículos, por no tener acceso a los correspondientes journals. Conclusiones: La calidad de vida se ha convertido en un tema de interés para muchos investigadores en oncología, ya que no es suficiente con aumentar el tiempo de sobrevida, sino garantizar un estándar de calidad de vida generado a partir del tratamiento médico...

Introduction: During the last two decades, there has been an explosion of studies assessing the quality of life. Main methodological strategies have been addressed, including the optimal choice of instrument, basic psychometric properties and times of evaluation of quality of life. Objectives: To provide basic definitions and tools, to describe the existing tools, and to articulate the challenges of interpreting studies of quality of life. Methods: We conducted a narrative literature search with the following search strategy “(‘Quality of Life’[MeSH] AND (‘Research’[MeSH] OR ‘Epidemiologic Research Design’[MeSH] OR ‘Health Services Research’[MeSH])) AND (‘Oncology Service, Hospital’[MeSH] OR ‘Medical Oncology’ [MeSH]). The search comprised the period between 1966 and 2007. The search strategy was adapted to each of the searchable databases: Medline, Cochrane, LILACS and SciELO. Results: 189 articles were found by title and abstract, of which 54 were selected for this review. Four articles were not obtained for not having access to relevant journals. Conclusions: The quality of life has become a topic of interest to many researchers in oncology since it is not enough to increase survival time, inasmuch as a standard quality of life must ensue from the medical treatment as well...

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