Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) has been highlighted in the health care sector in recent decades. On the other hand, due to its low demand, POCT is at a disadvantage compared to conventional equipment, since its cost is inversely proportional to the volume of use. In addition, for the implementation of POCT to succeed, it is essential to rely on the work of a multidisciplinary team. The awareness of health professionals of the importance of each step is perhaps the critical success factor. The trend towards the continuous advancement of the use of POCT and the great potential of its contributions reinforce the need to implement quality management tools, including performance indicators, to ensure their results. This review presents some advantages and disadvantages concerning POCT and the real need to use it. A worldwide call for the availability of easy-to-use health technologies that are increasingly closer to the final user is one of the main reasons for this focus.

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Objectives: To assess QoL of obese patients in the Brazilian public healthcare system, before and after bariatric surgery, and to determine the appropriateness of the Moorehead-Ardelt Questionnaire II (M-A-QoLQII) compared with the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Subjects and methods: Forty-one severe obese patients in a waiting-list, and 84 patients who underwent bariatric surgery were included. Correlations were tested and reliability determined by the Cronbach's coefficient. Results: BMI differed between the pre-and post-surgery groups (52.3 ± 8.3 kg/m 2 vs. 32.5 ± 6.4 kg/m 2 , p < 0.001). The latter showed better scores in the SF-36 domains than in the pre-surgery. SF-36 and M-A-QoLQII categories were correlated (r = 0.53, 0.49 and 0.47, for vitality, mental health, and general health domains, p < 0.001). In the logistic regression, age, previous BMI, and loss of excess weight were associated with functional capacity. Conclusions: The outcomes of bariatric surgery obtained in a Brazilian public healthcare center were successful. M-A-QoLII represents a useful tool to assess surgery outcomes, including QoL. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(1):33-8 KeywordsSevere obesity; quality of life; assessment; bariatric surgery; public health system RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar a qualidade de vida de pacientes obesos do sistema público de saúde brasileiro antes e após cirurgia bariátrica e a adequação do questionário Moorehead-Ardelt II (M--A-QoLQII) em relação ao SF-36. Sujeitos e métodos: Quarenta e um pacientes obesos graves em lista de espera e 84 submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica foram incluídos. Correlações foram testadas e confiabilidade determinada pelo coeficiente de Cronbach. Resultados: O IMC diferiu entre os grupos pré-e pós-cirurgia (52,3 ± 8,3 kg/m 2 vs. 32,5 ± 6,4 kg/m 2 , p < 0,001). O último apresentou melhores escores nos domínios do SF-36 que o pré-cirurgia. As categorias do SF-36 e M-A-QoLQII se correlacionaram (r = 0,53; 0,49; 0,47 para vitalidade, saúde mental e saúde geral, p 0,001). Na regressão logística, idade, IMC prévio e excesso de peso perdido associaram-se independentemente à capacidade funcional. Conclusões: Resultados da cirurgia bariátrica em centro de saúde público brasileiro foram promissores. O M-A-QoLQII representa ferramenta útil para avaliar seus resultados, inclusive a QV. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(1):33-8 Descritores Obesidade

RESUMOAvaliamos a resposta do perfil lipídico a uma intervenção não-farmacológica de curta duração, e investigamos se alterações nas lipoproteí -nas estavam presentes, antes da nefropatia diabética (ND) clínica, em 46 pacientes jovens com diabetes tipo 1 (DM1), com idade de 15,5±1,5 anos submetidos a um programa de 8 dias de dieta apropriada e exercícios, durante controle glicêmico estável (glicemia média 110,3±27,1mg/dl e HbA1c 6,9±1,3%). No início, 65% dos jovens apresentavam colesterol total ≥160mg/dl (IC 95% 0,51-0,78), enquanto que ao final somente 38% (IC 95% 0,24-0,51) tinham tais níveis. A melhora no perfil lipídico foi ainda melhor para a fração LDL, considerando que inicialmente 67% mostravam valores acima de 100mg/dl (IC 95% 0,55-0,78) e 24% (IC 95% 0,12-0,36) ao final. Valores de HDL-colesterol subnormais (≤ 40mg/dl) ocorreram em 38% (95% IC 0,24-0,51) e 11% (IC 95% 0,02-0,20) deles, no início e final do período. A razão albumina/creatinina média foi 9,0±8,0mg/g de creatinina. Encontramos fracas correlações entre a razão albumina/creatinina e os níveis de colesterol total (r= 0,21), LDL (r= 0,24), VLDL (r= 0,30), HDL (r= -0,17) e de triglicérides (r= 0,31). Dentro da faixa de referência de albuminúria, não foi encontrada nenhuma associação entre a excreção urinária de albumina e os níveis de lípides nos pacientes com DM1 estável. Um programa de exercícios regulares é eficaz em otimizar o perfil lipídico nestes pacientes, independentemente do controle glicêmico. Nossos dados não apoiam a hipótese de que mudanças no metabolismo lipídico precederiam a microalbuminúria no curso da ND. We assessed the response of lipid profile to short-term non-pharmacological intervention and investigated if lipoprotein abnormalities were present before overt diabetic nephropathy (DN) in 46 type 1 diabetic (DM1) youngsters aged 15.5±1.5 yrs. They were submitted to a 8-day program of adequate diet and exercise, during stable glycemic control (mean glycemia 110.3±27.1mg/dl and HbA1c 6.9±1.3%) to minimize the influence of disturbed glucose homeostasis on urinary albumin excretion and lipid profile. Mean albumin-to-creatinine ratio was 9.0±8.0mg/g creatinine. At the beginning of the program, 65% of the subjects had total cholesterol ≥ 160mg/dl (95% CI 0.51-0.78), whereas only 38% (95% CI 0.51-0.24) maintained such levels at the end. The improvement in lipid profile was even better concerning LDL fraction, considering that initially 67% of the subjects showed values ≥ 100mg/dl (95% CI 0.55-0.78) and 24% (95% CI 0.12-0.36) at the end. Initial HDL-cholesterol was ≤ 40mg/dl in 38% (95% CI 0.24-0.51) and in 11% (95% CI 0.02-0.20) at the end. In addition, HDLcholesterol increased significantly. Poor correlations were found between albumin-to-creatinine ratio and total cholesterol (r= 0.21), LDL (r= 0.24), VLDL (r= 0.31), HDL (r= -0.17) and triglycerides levels (r= 0.31). A regular exercise program is effective on optimizing lipid profile in DM1 artigo original

RESUMOA crescente prevalência de diabetes mellitus (DM) em países em desenvolvimento, associada à facilidade de se identificar indivíduos de alto risco para a doença, tornam interessante a idéia de se introduzir medidas que visem à prevenção da doença. Vários estudos comprovam os benefícios de mudanças no estilo de vida em prevenir ou retardar a progressão da tolerância à glicose diminuída para o DM. A revisão destes estudos mostra que é possível reduzir em 50 a 60% a incidência de DM intervindo-se no estilo de vida destes indivíduos, resultado superior ao obtido naqueles que, até o momento, utilizaram medidas farmacológi-cas com o mesmo objetivo. Apesar da eficácia destas simples medidas de prevenção por meio de mudanças no estilo de vida, estas são de difícil aderência e implementação em comunidades. Em nosso meio, são necessários estudos para avaliar as dificuldades de se implantar um programa nacional de prevenção de DM e outras doenças relacionadas ao estilo de vida em brasileiros de alto risco. Considering the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in underdeveloped countries as well as the simplicity of identifying individuals at high risk for such disease, implementation of intervention measures for its prevention is of great interest. Several studies have confirmed the benefits of lifestyle changes in preventing or postponig the progression from impaired glucose tolerance to DM. The review of these studies showed a 50% to 60% reduction in the incidence of DM by means of lifestyle modifications. Such results are better than those reported in studies in which pharmacological interventions were used with the same purpose. Despite the efficacy of lifestyle changes for the prevention of DM, compliance may represent a limitation to be implemented in communities. In our country, studies are necessary to assess the barriers for the implementation of a population-based program for the prevention of DM and other lifestyle related diseases in high-risk Brazilian subjects.