IntroductionRespiratory illness, often associated with cough and sputum, is frequent. In Brazil, herbal medicines are often recommended as a first-line treatment for respiratory illness. There exists uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of these treatments. No systematic review has evaluated Brazilian medicinal plants (BMP) to treat upper respiratory tract and bronchial illness (URTI).Methods and analysisWe will conduct a systematic review and, if appropriate, a series of meta-analyses evaluating the safety and effectiveness of BMP for URTI. Eligible randomised controlled trials and observational studies will enrol adult or paediatric patients presenting with URTI treated by BMP approved by the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency compared with placebo, no treatment or an alternative therapy. Our search will include the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), which contains the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Illness Group's Specialized Register; MEDLINE; EMBASE; CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature); Web of Science; AMED; LILACS; CAB abstracts; clinical trial.gov; the WHO Trial Register and the Brazilian thesis database (CAPES) without any language restrictions. Outcomes of interest are time to resolution of clinical symptoms and/or signs (cough, sputum production or activity limitations), severity of symptoms prior to resolution and major/minor adverse events. Teams of reviewers will, independently and in duplicate, screen titles and abstracts and the complete full text to determine eligibility. For eligible studies, reviewers will perform data abstraction and assess risk of bias of eligible trials. When appropriate, we will conduct meta-analyses. We will also assess the quality of body of evidence (confidence in estimates of effect) for each of the outcomes using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.Ethics and disseminationThe systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Brief reports of review findings will be disseminated directly to appropriate audiences via email and other modes of communication. The review will guide healthcare practice and policy in Brazil.Trial registration numberProspero CRD42014007057.

Background: An introductory acupuncture course has been offered to primary health care physicians and family medicine residents in southern Brazil since 2011. Objective: To analyze the profile of acupuncture utilization of primary care physicians who completed an introductory course of acupuncture between 2011 and 2018. Method: A survey using an electronic questionnaire was sent to all 119 physicians who completed the course. Results: Fifty-five physicians answered the questionnaire. The majority of them reported continuation of the practice of acupuncture in scheduled appointments and on spontaneous demand. The most commonly used principles of point selection were traditional acupuncture point function, myofascial trigger point needling and point protocols. As barriers to the practice of acupuncture, time limitation and inadequate physical space were predominant. The participants described the problem-solving potential of the procedure and good patient acceptance as facilitators. The most common problems treated with acupuncture were musculoskeletal pain, and mood and anxiety disorders. A reduction in referrals to specialists and reduced prescription of pain medications were also reported. Most physicians answered that they often combined acupuncture with other medications or associated acupuncture with other complementary practices. The main adverse events reported by the participants were vascular trauma and fainting. Conclusion: Most primary care physicians who completed the introductory course and answered the survey still used acupuncture in their routine, primarily for the management of musculoskeletal conditions and mental health conditions. These physicians reported reductions in specialist referrals and prescription of pain medication after integrating basic acupuncture skills into primary care practice.

Objetivo: Avaliar as evidências sobre eficácia e efeitos adversos dos relaxantes musculares de uso oral disponíveis no Brasil para espasticidade, condições musculoesqueléticas, fibromialgia e cefaleia tensional. Métodos: Realizou-se uma revisão da literatura a partir de revisões sistemáticas publicadas no Medline, BVS, biblioteca Cochrane e National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) até dezembro de 2016, que avaliaram os fármacos considerados relaxantes musculares pela Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) e disponíveis no Brasil na forma oral: ciclobenzaprina, tizanidina, carisoprodol, orfenadrina e baclofeno. Resultados: Foram identificados 20 estudos, sendo 17 revisões sistemáticas e três meta-análises. As evidências de eficácia dos relaxantes musculares consistem principalmente em estudos com concepção metodológica ruim. Estudos de comparação não mostraram que um relaxante muscular esquelético seja superior a outro. Ciclobenzaprina demonstrou eficácia em condições musculoesqueléticas, como dor miofascial mandibular, fibromialgia e dor lombar. Na fibromialgia, demonstrou benefício na melhora geral e no sono. No manejo da dor lombar, a ciclobenzaprina mostrou efeito modesto, mais presente nos quatro primeiros dias. Carisoprodol na dor lombar baixa não parece ter diferença de ciclobenzaprina, mas esse medicamento pode causar dependência. Baclofeno e tizanidina parecem ser eficazes em comparação com placebo e equivalentes em doentes com espasticidade. Conclusões: Os relaxantes musculares em geral, comparados a placebo ou entre si, apresentaram poucas evidências com estatística significante. Portanto, a seleção do medicamento deve ser baseada no perfil de efeitos adversos, preferência do paciente, potencial de abuso, potencial de interação com outros medicamentos, custo e outras características dos fármacos. (39)1500 www.rbmfc.org.br ARTIGOS DE PESQUISAS Evidencias sobre relajantes musculares para el uso ambulatorio: Una revisión de la literaturaObjective: To evaluate the evidence on the efficacy and adverse effects of oral muscle relaxants available in Brazil for spasticity, musculoskeletal conditions, fibromyalgia and tension headache. Methods: A literature review assessment was carried out based on systematic reviews published in the Medline, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Cochrane Library and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) up to December 2016, that evaluated the drugs considered to be muscle relaxants by Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) and available in Brazil in oral form: cyclobenzaprine, tizanidine, carisoprodol, orphenadrine and baclofen. Results: Twenty studies were identified, 17 of which were systematic reviews and three meta-analyzes. Evidence on the efficacy of muscle relaxants consists mainly of studies with poor methodological design. Comparison studies have not shown that one skeletal muscle relaxant is superior to another. Cyclobenzaprine demonstrated efficacy in musculoskeletal conditions, such as myofascial mandibular pain, fibromyalgia and low back ...

IntroductionAntiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV/AIDS is associated with adverse events (AEs). However, little is known about the differences in the risk of AEs between women and men living with HIV/AIDS. This study aims to determine (1) whether there are sex differences in the risk of AEs in people with HIV/AIDS treated with ART and (2) the prevalence of AEs to the reproductive system and bone mineral density in women.Methods and analysisThis systematic review (SR) will include randomised trials evaluating ART in people living with HIV/AIDS with at least 12 weeks of duration follow-up. Searches will be conducted in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, Lilacs, trial registries and grey literature databases, without restriction on publication status, year of publication and language. The primary outcome will be the risk of ART discontinuation or drop-outs/withdrawals of ART due to AEs and the number of any treatment-emergent AE. The secondary outcomes are the incidence of serious clinic or laboratory (grade 3 and/or 4) treatment-emergent AEs, hospitalisation, death and AEs specific to the reproductive system and bone mineral density (osteoporosis, osteopenia and fractures) of women. Selection, data extraction and quality assessment will be performed by pairs of reviewers. Cochrane collaboration tools will be used to assess the risk of bias. If appropriate, a meta-analysis will be conducted to synthesise results. The overall quality of the evidence for each outcome will be determined by the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation.Ethics and disseminationThe results of this SR will assist the formulation of public policies aimed at the management and monitoring of AEs of ART in people living with HIV/AIDS. A deliberative dialogue will be scheduled with the Department of Chronic Conditions and Sexually Transmitted Infections of Brazil’s Ministry of Health to align the project with policymakers’ interests.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021251051.

ResumoObjetivo: o objetivo desta avaliação de tecnologia em saúde foi analisar as evidências sobre tratamentos clínicos conservadores para doença hemorroidária utilizáveis na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Métodos: buscou-se no Embase, LILACS e MEDLINE via Pubmed por meta-análises, revisões sistemáticas e ensaios clínicos controlados e aleatorizados, publicados até dezembro de 2012, sem limite de linguagem. Os estudos deveriam avaliar os efeitos dos tratamentos clínicos conservadores (fibras ou laxantes, flavonoides, analgésicos, corticosteroides, banhos de assento ou pomadas de nitroglicerina) comparados a placebo ou entre si. Os desfechos considerados foram: melhora global dos sintomas, sangramento, prurido, dor, prolapso e efeitos adversos. Resultados: uma meta-análise demonstrou que fibras promovem melhora global dos sintomas e do sangramento e diminuem a recorrência após procedimentos ambulatoriais. Três meta-análises mostraram a eficácia de flavonoides para sangramento agudo e pós-operatório, melhora global dos sintomas, exsudação perianal e recorrência após episódio agudo. Não houve diferença estatística para prurido, dor, prolapso ou efeitos adversos nos dois casos. Flavonoides do tipo rutosídeos reduziram sintomas em gestantes, apesar da insuficiência dos dados para comprovar sua segurança. Não foram encontrados estudos que preenchessem os critérios de seleção para os demais tipos de tratamento. Conclusões: fibras ou flavonoides orais podem ser utilizados na atenção primária para a melhora global dos sintomas e sangramento na doença hemorroidária graus I e II; para paciente grau III que não deseje se submeter a procedimento ambulatorial; e no pós-operatório. Ensaios clínicos controlados e aleatorizados com qualidade metodológica adequada são necessários para confirmar estes resultados. AbstractObjective: The objective of this health technology assessment was to analyse the evidence on conservative clinical treatments for haemorrhoids usable in Primary Health Care. Methods: We searched in Embase, LILACS and MEDLINE through Pubmed for meta-analyses, systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials published until December 2012, without limits of language. Studies should evaluate the effects of conservative medical treatments (fibres or laxatives, flavonoids, analgesics, corticosteroids, sitz baths or nitro-glycerine ointments) compared to placebo or each other. The outcomes considered were overall symptom improvement, bleeding, itching, pain, prolapse and adverse effects. Results: One meta-analysis showed that fibres promote overall improvement of symptoms and bleeding; and decrease recurrence after outpatient procedures. Three meta-analyses showed efficacy of flavonoids for acute and postoperative bleeding, overall symptom improvement, perianal discharge and recurrence after acute episode. There was no statistical difference for itching, pain, prolapse, or adverse effects in both cases. Rutosides, a type of flavonoid, reduced symptoms in pregnant women, despite the insufficiency of data to prove its safety...

IntroductionAtypical antipsychotics have been studied to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, like little is known about whether these drugs are effective and safe when compared in controlled and non-controlled settings. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of second-generation antipsychotics in ASD in randomised controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies.Methods and analysisThis systematic review will include RCT and prospective cohorts evaluating second-generation antipsychotics in people 5 years and older diagnosed with ASD. Searches will be conducted in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, Lilacs, CINAHL, PsycINFO, trial registries and grey literature databases without restriction on publication status, year of publication and language. The primary outcomes will be symptoms of aggressive behaviour, quality of life for the individual or their careers, and discontinuation or dropouts/withdrawals of antipsychotics due to adverse events. The secondary outcomes are other not serious adverse events and adherence to pharmacotherapy. Selection, data extraction, and quality assessment will be performed by pairs of reviewers, independently. The Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) and Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tools will be used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. If appropriate, a meta-analysis and network meta-analysis will be conducted to synthesise the results. The overall quality of the evidence for each outcome will be determined by the Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach.Ethics and disseminationThis study will systematically summarise the existing evidence evaluating the use of second-generation antipsychotics for treating ASD, in controlled and uncontrolled studies. The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022353795.

IntroductionThe production of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) has grown in the past years. Notwithstanding, the quality of these documents and their recommendations for the treatment of schizophrenia in children and adolescents is still unknown.ObjectiveTo assess the quality of the guidelines and recommendations for the treatment of schizophrenia in this population.MethodsCPGs from 2004 to December 2020 were identified through a systematic search on EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Epistemonikos, VHL, Global Index Medicus and specific CPG databases. The CPGs’ quality was independently assessed by three reviewers using AGREE II and they were considered of high quality if they scored ≥60% in domains 3 and 6. The evidence classification systems were described, the quality of recommendations was assessed in pairs using AGREE-REX and the recommendations were compared.ResultsThe database search retrieved 3182 results; 2030 were screened and 29 were selected for full-text reading. Four guidelines were selected for extraction. Two CPGs were considered of high quality in the AGREE II assessment. We described the commonly agreed recommendations for each treatment phase. The pharmacological recommendations were described in all treatment phases. Scores of AGREE-REX were lower for psychosocial recommendations.ConclusionThere are still few clinical studies and CPGs regarding schizophrenia in children and adolescents. The quality of the documents was overall low, and the quality of the recommendations report has much to improve. There is also a lack of transparency about the quality of the evidence and the strength of the recommendations.Protocol registration numberCRD42020164899.

Objetivos: Elaborar infográficos para decisão compartilhada sobre o benefício e risco do uso de estatinas como prevenção primária em pacientes com alto risco cardiovascular. Métodos: A partir do “the NNT”, que analisou o uso de estatinas para prevenção primária em pessoas de baixo risco cardiovascular a partir de meta-análises do US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) e da Cochrane, buscou-se definir o balanço de risco e benefício dessa terapia na prevenção primária de pessoas com alto risco. Como o USPSTF e a Cochrane tinham 10 estudos primários diferentes incluídos em suas análises e populações com risco cardiovascular variável, foi realizada uma busca adicional por revisões sistemáticas e meta-análises publicadas desde a data da revisão Cochrane (dezembro de 2012) até outubro de 2017. Buscou-se no Medline via PubMed, na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, na Cochrane e no NHS Evidence por estudos de pessoas com risco cardiovascular estimado em 10 anos de mais de 10% com mais um fator de risco ou com mais de 20%, sem história de doença cardiovascular prévia, que comparassem o uso de estatina com placebo ou nenhum tratamento. Os desfechos deveriam ser a redução de doenças cardio e cerebrovasculares, da mortalidade cardiovascular ou geral e a ocorrência de eventos adversos. Resultados: Foram encontrados 225 estudos entre meta-análises e revisões sistemáticas elaboradas desde dezembro de 2012 até outubro de 2017. Foram excluídos 224 estudos por motivos diversos. Selecionou-se para elaboração do infográfico de benefícios o Statins for primary prevention, 2012, com população de 100% de diabéticos sem eventos cardiovasculares prévios com redução de risco absoluto (RRA) quanto a AVC fatal de 0,78 pontos percentuais/NNT 128 e Doenças Cardio/Cerebrovasculares RRA 2,6 pontos percentuais/NNT 39, cardiovascular. Quanto à redução de mortalidade geral (RR 0,79; IC95% 0,58-1,08) e revascularização (RR 0,74; IC 95% 0,55-1,00) não foi encontrada diferença estatística significante. Devido às limitações encontradas nas revisões sistemáticas avaliadas, não foi possível compilar dados, no formato de infográfico, sobre a incidência de diabetes e abandono de terapia. Assim, para elaboração da parte referente a danos, foi selecionado o ECR Aspen, com população de diabéticos de alto risco para desenvolvimento de eventos cardiovasculares, sem eventos prévios, quanto à mialgia com aumento do risco absoluto (ARA) de 1,43 pontos percentuais/NND 70 (RR 1,91; IC95% 1,03-3,53). Conclusão: Foi elaborado infográfico, com e sem uso de estatina, para desfechos cardiocerebrovasculares não fatais, AVC fatal, necessidade de revascularização, mortalidade geral e para ocorrência adversa de sintomas musculares. Esse instrumento pode ser utilizado na Atenção Primária durante o encontro clínico visando à tomada de decisão compartilhada, facilitando a compreensão dos riscos e benefícios do uso de estatina em pacientes de alto risco cardiovascular (RCV 10% com pelo menos um fator de risco adicional ou > 20 % em 10 anos), diabéticos, nos quais a prescrição de estatina seja cogitada.