Self-medication is frequent among the elderly, with different prevalence values found in the selected studies, probably because of heterogeneity in definitions and samples. Future studies are necessary, utilizing a standard self-medication criterion to facilitate comparison and elucidate the factors associated with this behaviour.

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O objetivo do estudo foi apreender as representações sociais do cuidado à saúde bucal, buscando a compreensão desse saber construído na prática vivida por uma população de baixa renda do Nordeste brasileiro. Foram investigados 30 indivíduos moradores do bairro de Cidade da Esperança, Natal (RN) Brasil. A coleta de dados, realizada através de uma entrevista semi-estruturada, foi averiguada pela Análise de Conteúdo Temática (Bardin¹) e pelo software Alceste 4,5. A análise dos dados possibilitou a construção das categorias: Experiência de Dor e Perda Dentária. Se por um lado a Experiência de Dor indica o acesso restrito aos serviços odontológicos, por outro a Perda Dentária denuncia a existência de uma prática mutiladora imposta pelos serviços de saúde pública para solucionar a dor. Nesta categoria está presente ainda a prótese dentária, cujo desejo tem a sua possibilidade limitada pelas condições econômicas. As representações sociais do cuidado à saúde bucal salientam as conseqüências negativas da prática odontológica vigente e aponta para a necessidade de reestruturação dos serviços, levando em conta a percepção da população em relação ao cuidado à saúde bucal.

The increase in non-communicable chronic diseases has aroused interest in the research of adjuvants to the classic forms of treatments. Obesity and metabolic syndrome are the main targets of confrontation because they relate directly to other chronic diseases. In this context, trypsin inhibitors, molecules with wide heterologous application, appear as possibilities in the treatment of overweight and obesity due to the action on satiety related mechanisms, mainly in the modulation of satiety hormones, such as cholecystokinin. In addition, trypsin inhibitors have the ability to also act on some biochemical parameters related to these diseases, thus, emerging as potential candidates and promising molecules in the treatment of the obesity and metabolic syndrome. Thus, the present article proposes to approach, through a systematic literature review, the advantages, disadvantages and viabilities for the use of trypsin inhibitors directed to the treatment of overweight and obesity.

Background Communication skills are essential for health professionals to establish a positive relationship with their patients, improving their health and quality of life. In this perspective, communication skills training can be effective strategies to improve the care provided by professionals in patient care and the quality of health services. Objective To identify the best available evidence on training programs in communication skills to promote changes in attitude and behavior or self-efficacy of health professionals. Methods Systematic searches were performed in eight databases, evaluating Randomized Controlled Trials and quasi-experimental studies with a control group, focusing on training communication skills for health professionals, who assessed self-efficacy or behaviors related to these skills. The phases of study selection and data extraction were carried out by two independent researchers, and the conflicts were resolved by a third. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane method. Results Eight studies were included in the review. Most programs lasted between 4½ h and 2 days, involved information about communication skills and the content was applied to the health professionals’ context. Several teaching strategies were used, such as lectures, videos and dramatizations and the evaluation was carried out using different instruments. Improvements in the performance and in the self-efficacy of communication skills were observed in the trained groups. The RCT had a low risk of bias and the quasi-experimental studies had a moderate risk. Conclusion Training in communication skills can improve the performance and self-efficacy of health professionals. Programs that approach the conceptual issues and promote the space for experiential learning could be effective in communication skills training for professionals. PROSPERO: CRD42019129384

High level of tooth loss and low level of rehabilitation demonstrate precarious oral health. It is therefore necessary to improve institutional access mechanisms to public health facilities for the institutionalised elderly.

Este estudo analisou os fatores associados ao custo direto das internações por doenças infecciosas em idosos. Realizou-se um estudo de caso dos custos de internações em idosos com 60 ou mais anos, internados em um hospital de referência no município de Natal, estado do Rio Grande do Norte, durante o período de janeiro de 2005 a dezembro de 2009. O modelo de Regressão Linear Múltipla (log-linear) foi aplicado para analisar os fatores associados aos custos de internação. Os resultados do modelo de regressão mostraram que cada dia adicional de internação determinou um acréscimo de 3% na média dos gastos e internações que evoluíram para óbito produziram um aumento de 71,6% nos custos em relação às internações dos pacientes que receberam alta.

Prevalence and factors associated with alterations of the temporomandibular joint in institutionalized elderlyPrevalência e fatores associados a alterações na articulação temporomandibular em idosos institucionalizados Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar a prevalência e os fatores associados a alterações na ATM em idosos institucionalizados. Estudo observacional e transversal, conduzido em 1.192 idosos brasileiros. Foram realizados exames intra e extraoral, baseados na Ficha de Avaliação da OMS (1997). Dados demográficos e nível de dependência também foram coletados. A autopercepção do idoso quanto à saúde bucal foi obtida através do GOHAI (Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index). Na análise dos dados foram usados o teste do Qui-quadrado e a Regressão robusta de Poisson (nível de significância de 5%). A presença de alguma alteração na ATM foi pouco prevalente quando comparada a dos adultos, e esteve associada à condição de dependência do idoso (os independentes tiveram 45,4% mais alterações do que os dependentes), ao sexo (mulheres tiveram 47,4% mais alterações), à autopercepção de saúde bucal (quem avaliou negativamente teve 65,6% mais alterações) e à necessidade de prótese (PT) superior (quem necessita de algum tipo de PT superior teve 45,8%). Apesar de ter sido baixa, a presença de alterações na ATM esteve mais frequente em idosos independentes, do sexo feminino, que avaliaram negativamente a saúde bucal e que necessitam de algum tipo de PT superior. Abstract This article aims to analyze the prevalence and associated factors of TMJ alterations in elderly institutionalized. An cross-sectional study of 1192 elderly institutionalized in Brazil was undertaken. Intra and extra-oral exams were performed and the TMJ was evaluated based on the Oral Health Assessment Form of the WHO (1997). Demographic data and elderly dependence were also collected. The self-perception of the elderly regarding oral health was measured using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index -GOHAI. Data analysis was performed using the Chi-squared test and robust Poisson regression (level of significance of 5%). The prevalence of TMJ alteration was low compared to adults and was only associated with the state of dependence of the elderly individual (independent had 45.4% more alterations than dependent individuals), gender (women had 47.4% more alterations), self-perception of oral health (who evaluated negatively had 65.6% more alterations) and the need of upper dentures (who needed some kind of upper dentures had 45.8% more alterations than those who did not). Despite being low, the presence of alterations in the TMJ was more frequent in elderly independent, women, who evaluated negatively oral health and need some kind of upper dentures.