Highlights Incorporation of secukinumab and ustekinumab was economically feasible. These drugs are options for those who do not respond to or have contraindications to etanercept. ABSTRACT Objective: Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of secukinumab and ustekinumab against moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in a Brazilian pediatric population with access to public healthcare. Methods: A survey of immunobiological treatments registered for use against pediatric psoriasis at the National Health Surveillance Agency was conducted. These treatments were compared to the list […]

Highlights Foreign body aspiration into the airways is common in adults and children, especially in the extremes of age. Coughing, wheezing, and dyspnea may occur and can be life-threatening. In airway foreign body, clinical suspicion is more important than imaging exams. Bronchoscopy under general anesthesia is safe and effective for removing foreign bodies; it ensures timely relief and prevents further complications. ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the clinical, bronchoscopic, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects between children and adults. Methods: This retrospective study […]

Highlights The levonorgestrel intrauterine system treatment prevents 67.7% of surgeries in patients with heavy menstrual bleeding and enlarged uteri.   ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system in the treatment of patients with heavy menstrual bleeding and an enlarged uterus and to compare satisfaction and its complications with hysterectomy. Methods This was a comparative cross-sectional observational study of women with heavy menstrual bleeding and an enlarged uterus. Sixty-two women were treated and followed up for four […]

ABSTRACT Objective We performed a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients. Methods We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS (January 2019 to March 2021) for patients aged 18 years or older, who had COVID-19 and were treated with hydroxychloroquine versus placebo or standard of care. We also searched the WHO Clinical Trials Registry for ongoing and recently completed studies, and the […]

ABSTRACT Objective Lupus nephritis is one of the most severe complications of systemic lupus erythematosus and it has been estimated that can occur in up to 60% of patients. Direct costs of lupus nephritis have not been studied in developing countries. This study aimed to describe lupus nephritis direct costs in Colombia. Methods Administrative data from two Colombian health maintenance organizations for 2014 and 2015 was obtained. An algorithm based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health […]

ABSTRACT The article describes the use of blended care as a mechanism of action in the construction of a therapy that uses digital means to improve and support current clinical treatments. The so-called digital therapeutics provides evidence-based therapeutic interventions for patients, who are guided by software to prevent, manage, or treat a medical disorder or disease. They are used independently or together with drugs, devices, or other therapies to optimize patient care and health outcomes. They are similar to popular […]

ABSTRACT The biology of stem cells is one of the most dynamic and promising fields of the biological sciences, since it is the basis for the development of organisms. Its biological complexity demands efforts from several lines of research aimed mainly at its therapeutic use. Nanotechnology has been emerging as a new field of study, which shows great potential in the treatment of various diseases. This new area of health has been called “Nanomedicine” or “Bionanotechnology”, which can be applied […]

Over the last 120 years, few things contributed more to our understanding of immune system than the study of its behavior in the host/parasite relationship. Despite the advances though, a few questions remain, such as what drives the immune system? What are its guiding principles? If we ask these questions randomly, most will immediately answer “defend the body from external threats,” but what exactly do we defend ourselves from? How do these threats harm us? What criteria define what constitutes […]

OBJECTIVE: To identify and evaluate latent variables (variables that are not directly observed) for adopting and using nuclear technologies in diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases. The measurement and management of these latent factors are important for healthcare due to complexities of the sector. METHODS: An exploratory factor analysis study was conducted among 52 physicians practicing in the areas of Cardiology, Neurology and Oncology in the State of Sao Paulo who agreed to participate in the study between 2009 and […]

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify how the Brazilian hematology centers treated and diagnosed cases of acute myeloid leukemia in 2009. Methods: An epidemiological observational multicenter study of 11 listed Brazilian centers that treat acute myeloid leukemia and perform bone marrow transplantation. Data were collected from clinical charts of patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated at the said centers between 2005 and 2009. The availability for immunophenotyping and cytogenetic tests was assessed. Results: During 2009, a total of 345 new cases of […]