The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) is a widely used screening instrument. One- and two-factor structures have been identified in some countries. In Brazil, the best factor structure is still unclear. This study aimed at knowing its factorial validity and reliability, and testing the one-factor and two-factor models. The participants were 7,512 Brazilian physicians. They answered the GHQ-12 and demographic questions. Unrotated (one-factor) and rotated (two-factor) structures of the GHQ-12 were extracted by principal component analysis. Confirmatory factor analyses (ML) were used to compare the one- and two-factor solutions. The two-factor model fitted the data better than the one-factor one. Those two factors were depression and social dysfunction, and they showed themselves to be directly correlated to one another. They also showed adequate reliability coefficients. The two-factor model is remarkably adequate, showing better fit indices, although it is acceptable to admit a common factor, which could be defined as psychological distress.

Objective: To identify and classify risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized patients, as well as to evaluate medical practices regarding prophylaxis for the disease. Methods: An observational crosssectional study, carried out between January and March of 2006, involving inpatients at three hospitals in the city of Manaus, Brazil. Risk stratification for VTE was based on the criteria established by the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery and by the International Union of Angiology. Clinical, surgical and medicationrelated risk factors were analyzed. The statistical analysis of the data obtained was conducted, adopting an alpha error of 5% and 95% CI. Qualitative data were analyzed using the chi-square test, whereas quantitative data were analyzed using Student's t-test. Results: Of the 1,036 patients included (total number of admissions, 1,051), 515 (49.7%) were male, and 521 (50.3%) were female. A total of 23 risk factors for VTE were identified (total number of occurrences, 2,319). The stratified risk for VTE was 50.6%, 16.6% and 30.8% among the admissions of high-, moderate-and low-risk cases, respectively. In 73.3% of the admissions, nonpharmacological prophylaxis was not employed at any point during the study period. In 74% of those classified as high-or moderate-risk cases, no prophylactic medications were administered. Conclusions: This study showed that, in the population studied, risk factors were common and that prophylactic measures were not employed in patients prone to developing VTE and its complications.Keywords: Venous thromboembolism; Risk factors; Venous thrombosis/prevention & control. ResumoObjetivo: Identificar e classificar os fatores de risco para tromboembolismo venoso (TEV) em pacientes internados, avaliando as condutas médicas adotadas para a profilaxia da doença. Métodos: Estudo observacional, de corte transversal no período de janeiro a março de 2006, envolvendo uma população de pacientes internados em três hospitais na cidade de Manaus (AM). A estratificação do risco para TEV foi feita com base nos critérios da Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular e da International Union of Angiology. Foram avaliados variáveis sobre os fatores de risco clínicos, cirúrgicos e medicamentosos, assim como os métodos profiláticos para TEV. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente, adotando-se um alfa de 5% e IC95%. Os dados qualitativos foram analisados pelo teste do qui-quadrado e os dados quantitativos pelo teste t de Student. Resultados: Foram estudados 1.036 pacientes num total de 1.051 internações, sendo 515 (49,7%) homens e 521 (50,3%) mulheres. Um total de 23 de fatores de risco para TEV foram identificados (número total de eventos, 2.319). O risco estratificado para TEV foi de 50,6%, 18,6% e 30,8% das internações para risco alto, moderado e baixo, respectivamente. Em 73,3% das internações, não foram adotadas medidas profiláticas não-medicamentosas durante o período do estudo, e em 74% das internações que apresentavam risco moderado ...

The results underscore the need to be aware of the fact that the supply of new health services could bring about their increased use without a real demand.

Objective: To describe the results of the surgical treatment of children with necrotizing pneumonia. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the medical charts of 20 children diagnosed with necrotizing pneumonia and submitted to surgical treatment between March of 1997 and September of 2008 in the thoracic surgery departments of two hospitals in the city of Manaus, Brazil. We compiled data regarding age, gender, etiologic agent, indications for surgery, type of surgical resection performed, and postoperative complications. Results: The mean age of the patients was 30 months. Of the 20 patients studied, 12 (60%) were female. The most common etiologic agents were Staphylococcus aureus, in 5 patients (25%), and Klebsiella sp., in 2 (10%). The indications for surgery were sepsis, in 16 patients (80%), and bronchopleural fistula, in 4 (20%). The types of surgical procedures performed were lobectomy, in 12 patients (60%), segmentectomy, in 7 (35%), and bilobectomy, in 1 (5%). There were 8 patients (40%) who also underwent decortication. The postoperative complications were as follows: bronchopleural fistula, in 4 patients (20%); empyema, in 1 (5%); pneumatocele, in 1 (5%); and phlebitis of the left arm, in 1 (5%). Four (20%) of the patients died. Conclusions: Surgical resection should be considered in patients with evidence of pulmonary necrosis. Resection is indicated in cases of severe sepsis, high output bronchopleural fistula, or acute respiratory failure that are refractory to clinical treatment.Keywords: Pneumonia; Necrosis; Lung abscess; Empyema, pleural. ResumoObjetivo: Descrever os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico de crianças com pneumonia necrosante. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva dos prontuários de 20 crianças diagnosticadas com pneumonia necrosante e submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico nos serviços de cirurgia torácica de dois hospitais na cidade de Manaus (AM) entre março de 1997 e setembro de 2008. Dados referentes a idade, sexo, agente etiológico, motivos da indicação cirúrgica, tipo de ressecção cirúrgica realizada e complicações pós-operatórias foram compilados. Resultados: Dos 20 pacientes analisados, 12 (60%) eram do sexo feminino. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 30 meses. Os agentes etiológicos mais encontrados foram Staphylococcus aureus, em 5 pacientes (25%), e Klebsiella sp., em 2 (10%). Os motivos de indicação cirúrgica foram sepse, em 16 pacientes (80%), e fístula broncopleural, em 4 (20%). Os tipos de procedimentos cirúrgicos realizados foram lobectomia, em 12 pacientes (60%), segmentectomia, em 7 (35%), e bilobectomia, em 1 (5%). Além desses procedimentos, 8 pacientes (40%) foram submetidos à descorticação pulmonar. As complicações pós-operatórias foram as seguintes: fístula broncopleural, em 4 pacientes (20%); empiema, em 1 (5%); pneumatocele, em 1 (5%); e flebite em membro superior esquerdo, em 1 (5%). Quatro pacientes (20%) morreram. Conclusões: Pacientes com evidências de necrose pulmonar devem ser considerados para a ressecção cirúrgica, que está indicada em casos graves de ...

Resumo As peculiaridades do diagnóstico de câncer impõem ao médico abordagem diferenciada, tornando necessário o estudo dos aspectos psicossociais do doente e de técnicas comunicacionais, de modo a não gerar iatrogenias. O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar a relação médico-paciente com câncer em um centro de referência em oncologia do serviço público. Trata-se de estudo exploratório qualitativo e descritivo, envolvendo 17 pacientes diagnosticados com câncer na Fundação Centro de Controle de Oncologia do Estado do Amazonas. Os entrevistados demonstraram diversos sentimentos: desejaram mais sinceridade e clareza dos médicos no diagnóstico; questionaram a dificuldade do acesso ao sistema de saúde; queixaram-se dos efeitos do tratamento e das limitações emocionais e físicas vivenciadas; e, por fim, destacaram a importância da relação médico-paciente. Portanto, foram reconhecidos aspectos importantes do diagnóstico e tratamento de câncer, devidamente contextualizados, de modo a se repensar a prática médica e a relação médico-paciente.

No abstract

Summary Introduction: The Code of Medical Ethics (CME) of the Federal Council of Medicine is the legal document that exposes the moral discourse of Brazilian physicians to society and the profession. It is a set of propositions based on which doctors say they are committed to values of conduct aimed at fair and proper professional practice. Objectives: To verify through lexical analysis of the CME corpus if the goals presented in the arguments of the resolution that established the code are properly addressed in these regulations. Methods: This is a quantitative and qualitative study of descriptive nature, aiming at a lexical analysis of the CME. The lexical analysis was performed using a method of Top-Down Hierarchical Classification of vocabulary, as described by Reinert in 1987, assuming that words used in similar contexts are associated with a single lexical world. In addition to the analysis of results, an improved representation of the charts related with Factorial and Similitude Analyses was made. Results: Six clusters were extracted, leading to the identification of three major branches: health care, professional practice and research. These branches revolve around the figures of physician and patient. The similitude analysis revealed a complementarity status between these two figures. Conclusion: The lexical analysis showed that the purposes contained in the resolution that established the CME were adequately represented in the document body.

No abstract