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BACKGROUND: Pharmaceutical Assistance (PA) is a dynamic and multidisciplinary process that aims to supply health systems, programs or services with quality medicines, enabling access and health care, in an efficient and timely manner. The objective of the study was to evaluate the profile of administrative processes for the treatment of PsA, identify the time elapsed in the flow of processes and its associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of medication requests for the treatment of PsA was carried out between November 2014 and December 2016. Linear regression was used to verify the factors associated with time to delivery. RESULTS: A total of 218 cases containing 250 drugs were analyzed. The median time between the medical appointment and the first dispensation was 66 days (interquartile range, 44-90). The State proceedings, which includes requesting the drug until the authorization of treatment, was the stage that most contributed to the total time spent. The factors associated with the longer time to delivery of medications were prescriptions coming from clinics and specialty centers, from dermatologists, non-authorized processes and non-persistent patients in the treatment in 12 months. CONCLUSION: The median time to receive medicines for the PsA treatment in Belo Horizonte health region after a medical prescription was higher than 2 months. The time between the solicitation of the medicines and the authorization of the treatment in the SUS (State administrative procedure) was the main component of the total time spent.

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Abstract Objective To describe the characteristics and progression of the supply of new rheumatologists in Brazil, from 2000 to 2015. Methods: Consultations to databases and official documents of institutions related to training and certification of rheumatologists in Brazil took place. The data were compared, summarized and presented descriptively. Results: From 2000 to 2015, Brazil qualified 1091 physicians as rheumatologists, of which 76.9% (n = 839) completed a medical residency program in rheumatology (MRPR); the others (n = 252) achieved this title without MRPR training. There was an expansion of MRPR positions. At the same time, there was a change in the profile of the newly qualified doctors. Early in the series, the fraction of new rheumatologists without MRPR, entering the market annually, was approaching 50%, dropping to about 15% in recent years. In 2015, Brazil offered 49 MRPR accredited programs, with 120 positions per year for access. There was an imbalance in the distribution of MRPR positions across the country, with a strong concentration in the southeast region, which in 2015 held 59.2% of the positions. Public institutions accounted for 94% (n = 789) of graduates in MRPR during the study period, while still maintaining 93.3% (n = 112) of seats for admission in 2015. Conclusions: In the last sixteen years, in parallel with the expansion of places of access, MRPR has established itself as the preferred route for rheumatology training in Brazil, mainly supported by public funds. Regional inequalities in the provision of MRPR positions still persist, as challenges that must be faced.

Resumo Objetivo: Descrever as características e a evolução da oferta de novos reumatologistas no Brasil, de 2000 a 2015. Métodos: Fizeram-se consultas a bases de dados e a documentos oficiais de instituições relacionadas à formação e à certificação de reumatologistas no país. Os dados foram cruzados, sumarizados e apresentados de forma descritiva. Resultados: De 2000 até 2015, o Brasil habilitou 1.091 médicos à condição de reumatologistas, dentre os quais 76,9% (n = 839) concluíram residência médica em reumatologia (RMR); os demais (n = 252) obtiveram o título sem cursar RMR. Houve expansão das vagas de RMR. Paralelamente, ocorreu uma modificação no perfil dos recém-habilitados. No início da série, a fração de novos reumatologistas sem RMR, ingressantes no mercado anualmente, aproximava-se dos 50%, reduziu-se para cerca de 15%, em anos recentes. Em 2015, havia no país 49 programas de RMR credenciados, com 120 vagas anuais de acesso. Observou-se desequilíbrio na distribuição de vagas de RMR pelo país, com forte concentração na Região Sudeste, que em 2015 detinha 59,2% das vagas. Instituições públicas responderam por 94% (n = 789) dos concluintes de RMR no período estudado, mantiveram ainda 93,3% (n = 112) das vagas para ingresso em 2015. Conclusões: Nos últimos 16 anos, paralelamente à expansão das vagas de acesso, a RMR consolidou-se como via preferencial para formação em reumatologia no Brasil, eminentemente suportada por recursos públicos. Desigualdades regionais na oferta de vagas de RMR persistem como desafios a serem enfrentados.

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Abstract Objectives: Describe Brazilian rheumatologists's competence in interventional rheumatology; assess the association between this ability and demographic and training variables. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 500 Brazilian rheumatologists. Participants were assessed by self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographics, training, practice in office and knowledge in interventional rheumatology data. Results: 463 participants had their data analyzed. The mean age was 40.2 years (±11.2). 70% had performed periarticular injections and 78% had performed intra-articular injections. The sample was divided into three groups: non-interventionist, little interventionist and very interventionist. The non-interventionist group showed (p < 0.001-0.04) higher mean age, lower proportion of university bond, lower training history, higher proportion of graduates in the Southeast country, and higher proportion of graduates in the 1980s to 1989. The very interventionist group showed higher (p < 0.001-0.018) proportion of adult rheumatologists, higher proportion of university bond, longer training time with greater practice of complex procedures, and higher proportion of graduates, trained and with private practice in the South country. Variables most associated with the very interventionist subgroup are performing axial intra-articular injections (OR: 7.4, p < 0.001), synovial biopsy (OR: 5.75, p = 0.043), image-guided IAI (OR: 4.16, p < 0.001), viscosupplementation (OR = 3.41, p < 0.001), joint lavage (OR = 3.22, p = 0.019), salivary gland biopsy (OR = 2.16, p = 0.034) and over 6-month training (OR: 2.16, p = 0.008). Conclusions: Performing more complex invasive procedures and over 6-month training in interventional rheumatology were variables associated with enhanced interventional profile.

Resumo Objetivos: Descrever a competência dos reumatologistas brasileiros na reumatologia intervencionista (RI); avaliar a associação entre essa capacidade e variáveis demográficas e de treinamento. Métodos: Fez-se um estudo transversal com 500 reumatologistas brasileiros. Os participantes foram avaliados por questionário autoadministrado, constituído por dados demográficos, treinamento, prática em consultório e conhecimento em dados de RI. Resultados: Analisaram-se os dados de 463 participantes. A média foi de 40,2 anos (± 11,2). Desses, 70% fizeram injeções periarticulares (IPA) e 78% intra-articulares (IIA). A amostra foi dividida em três grupos: não intervencionista, pouco intervencionista e muito intervencionista. O grupo não intervencionista apresentou (p < 0,001 - 0,04) maior média de idade, menor proporção de vínculo universitário, menor história de treinamento, maior proporção de graduados na Região Sudeste do país e maior proporção de graduados nas décadas de 1980 a 1989. O grupo muito intervencionista apresentou (p < 0,001 - 0,018) maior proporção de reumatologias que atendem pacientes adultos, maior proporção de vínculo universitário, maior tempo de treinamento de prática de procedimentos complexos, maior proporção de graduados no sul do país, treinados e com consultório particular nessa região. As variáveis mais frequentemente associadas ao subgrupo muito intervencionista foram realização de IIA axial (OR: 7,4, p < 0,001), biópsia sinovial (OR: 5,75, p = 0,043), IIA guiada por imagem (OR: 4,16, p < 0,001), viscossuplementação (OR = 3,41, p < 0,001), lavagem articular (OR = 3,22, p = 0,019), biópsia da glândula salivar (OR = 2,16, p = 0,034) e mais de seis meses de treinamento (OR: 2,16; p = 0,008). Conclusões: Fazer procedimentos invasivos mais complexos e ter mais de seis meses de treinamento em RI foram as variáveis associadas a um maior perfil intervencionista.

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OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics and progression of the supply of new rheumatologists in Brazil, from 2000 to 2015. METHODS: Consultations to databases and official documents of institutions related to training and certification of rheumatologists in Brazil took place. The data were compared, summarized and presented descriptively. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2015, Brazil qualified 1091 physicians as rheumatologists, of which 76.9% (n=839) completed a medical residency program in rheumatology (MRPR); the others (n=252) achieved this title without MRPR training. There was an expansion of MRPR positions. At the same time, there was a change in the profile of the newly qualified doctors. Early in the series, the fraction of new rheumatologists without MRPR, entering the market annually, was approaching 50%, dropping to about 15% in recent years. In 2015, Brazil offered 49 MRPR accredited programs, with 120 positions per year for access. There was an imbalance in the distribution of MRPR positions across the country, with a strong concentration in the southeast region, which in 2015 held 59.2% of the positions. Public institutions accounted for 94% (n=789) of graduates in MRPR during the study period, while still maintaining 93.3% (n=112) of seats for admission in 2015. CONCLUSIONS: In the last sixteen years, in parallel with the expansion of places of access, MRPR has established itself as the preferred route for rheumatology training in Brazil, mainly supported by public funds. Regional inequalities in the provision of MRPR positions still persist, as challenges that must be faced.

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OBJECTIVES: Describe Brazilian rheumatologists's competence in interventional rheumatology; assess the association between this ability and demographic and training variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 500 Brazilian rheumatologists. Participants were assessed by self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographics, training, practice in office and knowledge in interventional rheumatology data. RESULTS: 463 participants had their data analyzed. The mean age was 40.2 years (±11.2). 70% had performed periarticular injections and 78% had performed intra-articular injections. The sample was divided into three groups: non-interventionist, little interventionist and very interventionist. The non-interventionist group showed (p<0.001-0.04) higher mean age, lower proportion of university bond, lower training history, higher proportion of graduates in the Southeast country, and higher proportion of graduates in the 1980s to 1989. The very interventionist group showed higher (p<0.001-0.018) proportion of adult rheumatologists, higher proportion of university bond, longer training time with greater practice of complex procedures, and higher proportion of graduates, trained and with private practice in the South country. Variables most associated with the very interventionist subgroup are performing axial intra-articular injections (OR: 7.4, p<0.001), synovial biopsy (OR: 5.75, p=0.043), image-guided IAI (OR: 4.16, p<0.001), viscosupplementation (OR=3.41, p<0.001), joint lavage (OR=3.22, p=0.019), salivary gland biopsy (OR=2.16, p=0.034) and over 6-month training (OR: 2.16, p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Performing more complex invasive procedures and over 6-month training in interventional rheumatology were variables associated with enhanced interventional profile.

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Abstract Introduction: Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease which shows extreme heterogeneity in its clinical presentation and that follows a variable and unpredictable course. Although some discrepancies in the incidence and prevalence rates between geographical regions may reflect methodological differences in the definition and verification of cases, they may also reflect true local differences. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and incidence of systemic sclerosis in the city of Campo Grande, state capital of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil, during the period from January to December 2014. Methods: All health care services of the city of Campo Grande – MS with attending in the specialty of Rheumatology were invited to participate in the study through a standardized form of clinical and socio-demographic assessment. Physicians of any specialty could report a suspected case of systemic sclerosis, but necessarily the definitive diagnosis should be established by a rheumatologist, in order to warrant the standardization of diagnostic criteria and exclusion of other diseases resembling systemic sclerosis. At the end of the study, 15 rheumatologists reported that they attended patients with systemic sclerosis and sent the completed forms containing epidemiological data of patients. Results: The incidence rate of systemic sclerosis in Campo Grande for the year 2014 was 11.9 per million inhabitants and the prevalence rate was 105.6 per million inhabitants. Systemic sclerosis patients were mostly women, white, with a mean age of 50.58 years, showing the limited form of the disease with a mean duration of the disease of 8.19 years. Regarding laboratory tests, 94.4% were positive for antinuclear antibody, 41.6% for anti-centromere antibody and 19.1% for anti-Scl70; anti-RNA Polymerase III was performed in 37 patients, with 16.2% positive. Conclusions: The city of Campo Grande, the state capital of MS, presented a lower incidence/prevalence of systemic sclerosis in comparison with those numbers found in US studies and close to European studies’ data.

Resumo Introdução: A esclerose sistêmica (ES) é uma enfermidade autoimune, extremamente heterogênea na sua apresentação clínica e segue um curso variável e imprevisível. Embora algumas discrepâncias nas taxas de incidência e prevalência entre regiões possam refletir as diferenças metodológicas na definição e verificação dos casos, elas também podem refletir as verdadeiras diferenças locais. Objetivos: Conhecer a prevalência e incidência da ES na cidade de Campo Grande, capital do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brasil, de janeiro a dezembro de 2014. Métodos: Todos os serviços de saúde de Campo Grande (MS) que tinham atendimentos na especialidade de reumatologia foram convidados a participar do estudo por meio de ficha padronizada de avaliação clínica e sociodemográfica. Médicos de qualquer especialidade poderiam reportar um caso suspeito de ES, mas obrigatoriamente o diagnóstico definitivo deveria ser feito por um reumatologista, para garantir a padronização dos critérios diagnósticos e excluir outras doenças que se assemelham à ES. No fim do estudo 15 reumatologistas relataram ter atendido pacientes com diagnóstico de ES e enviaram os formulários preenchidos com os dados epidemiológicos dos pacientes. Resultados: A taxa de incidência de ES em Campo Grande em 2014 foi de 11,9 por milhão/habitantes e a de prevalência foi de 105,6 por milhão/habitantes. Os pacientes com ES eram principalmente mulheres, da cor branca, média de 50,58 anos, forma limitada da doença e tempo de evolução médio da doença de 8,19 anos. Em relação aos exames laboratoriais, observou-se a positividade de 94,4% para o ANA, 41,6% para ACA e 19,1% para anti-Scl70, o anticorpo anti-POL3 foi feito em apenas 37 pacientes, com positividade de 16,2%. Conclusões: A capital do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, apresentou dados de incidência e prevalência de ES inferiores aos encontrados em estudos americanos e próximos aos dados observados em estudos europeus.

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INTRODUCTION: Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease which shows extreme heterogeneity in its clinical presentation and that follows a variable and unpredictable course. Although some discrepancies in the incidence and prevalence rates between geographical regions may reflect methodological differences in the definition and verification of cases, they may also reflect true local differences. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and incidence of systemic sclerosis in the city of Campo Grande, state capital of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil, during the period from January to December 2014. METHODS: All health care services of the city of Campo Grande - MS with attending in the specialty of Rheumatology were invited to participate in the study through a standardized form of clinical and socio-demographic assessment. Physicians of any specialty could report a suspected case of systemic sclerosis, but necessarily the definitive diagnosis should be established by a rheumatologist, in order to warrant the standardization of diagnostic criteria and exclusion of other diseases resembling systemic sclerosis. At the end of the study, 15 rheumatologists reported that they attended patients with systemic sclerosis and sent the completed forms containing epidemiological data of patients. RESULTS: The incidence rate of systemic sclerosis in Campo Grande for the year 2014 was 11.9 per million inhabitants and the prevalence rate was 105.6 per million inhabitants. Systemic sclerosis patients were mostly women, white, with a mean age of 50.58 years, showing the limited form of the disease with a mean duration of the disease of 8.19 years. Regarding laboratory tests, 94.4% were positive for antinuclear antibody, 41.6% for anti-centromere antibody and 19.1% for anti-Scl70; anti-RNA Polymerase III was performed in 37 patients, with 16.2% positive. CONCLUSIONS: The city of Campo Grande, the state capital of MS, presented a lower incidence/prevalence of systemic sclerosis in comparison with those numbers found in US studies and close to European studies' data.

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BACKGROUND: Ocular involvement in patients with Behçet disease represents a significant clinical morbidity in this disease, and the prevention of visual impairment is an important treatment goal. There are no randomized controlled trials for the treatment of ocular Behçet disease; however, clinicians must still make treatment decisions. OBJECTIVES: The goals of this study were to describe the treatment preferences of rheumatologists and ophthalmologists for the treatment of ocular Behçet disease and to identify factors that influence these decisions. METHODS: Eight hundred fifty-two rheumatologists and 934 ophthalmologists were surveyed via e-mail regarding their choice of therapy for a hypothetical patient with ocular Behçet disease. Respondents were asked to select first- and second-choice therapies and then reselect first and second choices assuming there would be no issues with cost or insurance prior authorization. RESULTS: One hundred thirty two physicians (7.4%) who were willing to recommend treatment completed the survey: 68 rheumatologists and 64 ophthalmologists. The most common first-choice therapy for both specialties was a biologic agent. Significantly more rheumatologists than ophthalmologists chose methotrexate (P < 0.025) and azathioprine (P < 0.005) as their first-choice therapy. After assuming there were no concerns with cost or prior authorization, rheumatologists were still more likely to choose azathioprine compared with ophthalmologists (P < 0.02), and ophthalmologists were more likely to choose local steroid implants (P < 0.02). Both rheumatologists and ophthalmologists increased their choice of an anti-tumor necrosis factor agent when cost and prior authorization issues were removed (P < 0.0001 and 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Physician decision making is influenced by medical specialty and concerns regarding cost and prior authorization.

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