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Factors associated with the successful aging of the socially-active elderly in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre Fatores associados ao envelhecimento bem-sucedido de idosos socialmente ativos da região metropolitana de Porto Alegre A b s t r a c t Objective: To identify the factors associated with aging of the socially-active elderly in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving a sample of 400 elderly subjects. Through a conglomerate analysis using the combined results of the Flanagan Scale and the quality of life assessment instrument developed by the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-100), the subjects classified as presenting a higher quality of life were considered to have aged successfully. Subjects were considered socially active if they participated in groups for elderly people or engaged in any activities outside of the nuclear family.Research data were collected using the following instruments: the Flanagan Quality of Life Scale; the World Health Organization WHOQOL-100 quality of life assessment instrument; Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS); Geriatric Depression Scale, 15-item version (GDS-15, abridged from Yesavage),16 as well as a form used to collect participant information. Structured interviews were carried out with the help of psychology, nursing and physical education students, who had been previously trained to that end. Interviews were carried out between May and December 2002.All data were initially stored in an Excel spreadsheet and later transferred to and analyzed using the SPSS program, version 11.5.The cutoff points on the GDS-15 scale for elderly subjects were: scores lower than 5 indicated normality regarding depression; scores from 5 to 10 indicated mild to moderate depression; scores higher than 10 indicated severe depression.We preliminarily conducted two methodological studies: one to validate the Flanagan Quality of Life Scale and one to validate the WHOQOL-100. A cluster analysis was carried out, using as entry variables the predicted factorial analysis scores. In accordance with this analysis, the elderly subjects were classified into two groups: superior quality of life and inferior quality of life. 17In this study, we defined successful aging as having a superior quality of life, meeting the criterion established by the cluster analysis, which was carried out using the Flanagan Quality of Life Scale and the WHOQOL-100. Similarly, those classified as having an inferior quality of life were considered normally aging elderly subjects (presenting ordinary or usual aging). Statistical analysisUsing the Student's t-test for the study of two independent samples, we compared the two groups (superior quality of life versus inferior quality of life) regarding the following variables: age, hopelessness, depression and the factors retained in the factorial analysis of the Flanagan Quality of Life Scale and WHOQOL-100. While conducting the test, the equivalence of population variances was assumed for age, but we considered different...

Objective: To evaluate, using histological analysis, the systemic action and repair process of wounds produced on the back of rats and treated with red, infrared, or both lasers applied directly or indirectly to the wounds. Background Data: Skin tissue repair and wound healing are complex processes that involve a series of dynamic events. Many benefits are associated with biomodulation uisng laser therapy. Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (without laser), red laser (aluminium gallium indium phosphide (AlGaInP); λ = 685 nm; λ = 0.0314 cm Three wounds were produced on the back of each animal. Only the wound closest to the head was irradiated in the experimental groups. For the evaluation of skin reaction and wound healing, three animals of each group were killed at 3, 5, and 7 days postoperatively. The irradiation protocol established 48-hour intervals between applications, with the first application immediately after the surgical procedure. Results: In the red and infrared laser group, healing was more advanced in the wound located furthest from the point of laser application. The most effective healing of a proximal wound was verified in the control group on the 7th postoperative day. Conclusion: The combined application of red and infrared lasers resulted in the most evident systemic effect on the repair of skin wounds produced in rats.

Abstract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in chronic renal failure in patients on hemodialysis (HD). A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of oral sildenafil (50 mg) administered as required in HD patients with ED was designed. Patients on HD for at least 6 mo and who had a stable relationship with a female sexual partner were included. Patients older than 70 yr with penile anatomic abnormalities, cirrhosis, diabetes, angina, severe anemia, and those who were on nitrate treatment or with a recent history of stroke or myocardial infarction were not included. The International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF) was employed to evaluate ED and treatment response. Forty-one patients were evaluated (21 received placebo, and 20 sildenafil). Baseline clinical and demographic parameters were similar in both groups. Sildenafil was associated with improvement in the score of all questions and domains of the IIEF, except those related to sexual desire. Using the erectile function domain to evaluate primary efficacy, improvement was observed in 85% of the sildenafil patients compared with 9.5% of placebo patients. Sildenafil use resulted in normal EF scores in 35% of sildenafil patients. Sildenafil was well tolerated. Headaches and flushing occurred in both groups. Dyspepsia was reported by two patients in the sildenafil group. In conclusion, oral sildenafil seems to be an effective and safe treatment for ED in selected patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis.Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient to permit satisfactory sexual performance, and the resulting stress often impacts interaction with others (1). End-stage renal failure patients on hemodialysis (HD) are frequently affected by ED. The prevalence of ED in these patients has been estimated to be between 71 and 82% (2,3). This prevalence is positively associated with increasing age and diabetes and inversely associated with use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, even among patients with good functional status (3). In the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), we have estimated the prevalence of ED in HD patients to be 75% (unpublished observation).There are several management guidelines for ED. The UK guidelines (4) suggest that a detailed history is the most important aspect in the assessment of patients with ED. Treatment options for men with ED include psychosexual therapy, drug therapy, transurethral or intracavernosal therapy, treatment with vacuum-constriction devices, and surgical treatment (5).Recently, sildenafil, a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type-5, which is the predominant isozyme inactivating cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the corpus cavernosum, has been shown to be an effective, well-tolerated treatment for non-uremic men with ED (6). Its use results in increased smooth muscle relaxation and improved erection when nitric oxide is released in the p...

ResumoContexto: A qualidade de vida é um constructo que vem ganhando importância como uma forma de acessar o impacto tanto de uma patologia quanto de uma estratégia terapêutica na vida dos sujeitos. Este parâmetro tem sido pesquisado nas mais variadas áreas, entre as quais o tabagismo. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre a qualidade de vida e a gravidade da dependência do tabaco. Método: Foi realizado um estudo transversal, com uma amostra por conveniência de 276 dependentes de tabaco da população geral, sem doenças tabaco-relacionadas. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence e ficha com dados sociodemográficos. Resultados: Foi verificada associação entre a gravidade da dependência de tabaco e piores escores em todos os domínios da qualidade de vida, avaliada por WHOQOL-BREF, tendo sido esse resultado influenciado por sintomas de ansiedade e depressão. Conclusão: Os tabagistas mais graves têm mais prejuízos na qualidade de vida, no entanto esse grupo é o que apresenta os escores mais elevados de sintomas depressivos e de ansiedade, sendo importante realizar mais estudos a esse respeito.Castro, M.G. et al. / Rev. Psiq. Clín. 34 (2); 61-67, 2007 Palavras-chave: Nicotina, qualidade de vida, tabaco. AbstractBackground: Quality of life is a construct that has been increasing its importance as a means to access the impact, either of a given pathology or of a therapeutic strategy applied to a given subject. This parameter has been researched in the most various areas, among which, smoking. Objective: Evaluating the association between quality of life and the severity of tobacco dependence. Method: A transversal study has been applied, using a convenience sample of 276 tobacco users, selected at random, tobacco-related diseases free. The instruments used were: World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence and a social and demographic data file. Results: It has been found association between the severity of tobacco dependence and the lowest scores in all domains of quality of life, evaluated by WHOQOL-BREF. Such result has been influenced by anxiety and depression symptoms. Conclusion: Heavy smokers have less quality of life but this group its also that with heavy depressive and anxiety symptoms, therefore, it is important that more studies are applied on the topic.

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Resumo: FUNDAMENTOS -O aspecto visível das lesões de pele e seu impacto psicológico interferem na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. OBJETIVOS -Avaliar qualidade de vida e localização da lesão dermatológica, verificar associação entre variáveis e comparar níveis de qualidade de vida em pacientes com lesões na face/ou mãos e pacientes somente com lesões em outras regiões do corpo que não face e/ou mãos. MÉTODO -Estudo transversal, descritivo, de associação. Foram avaliados 205 sujeitos através do Questionário Genérico de Qualidade de Vida-SF-36 "The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey" (SF-36) e do Dermatology Life quality Index, fichas de dados sócio-demográficos e de localização da lesão. RESULTADOS -Não foram observadas diferenças significativas na qualidade de vida entre os dois grupos, mas o número de associações entre SF-36 e DLQI-BRA foi superior no grupo com lesões em face e/ou mãos. Diferenças significativas foram verificadas quando da divisão em cinco grupos. A diferença significativa (p=0,05) foi entre o grupo com lesões somente em face e/ou mãos e o grupo com lesões generalizadas, sendo que este último teve posto médio de 114,06 contra 69,1935 do outro grupo. CONCLUSÕES -Independente da localização da lesão, o sentimento de exposição e os prejuízos a que fica sujeito o paciente dermatológico são semelhantes. As doenças da pele, ao que parece, provocam sentimento de exposição e constrangimento, independente do local do corpo acometido, pois na aproximação mais íntima de outra pessoa está implicada certa exposição. Palavras-chave: Dermatologia; Psicologia; Qualidade de vida Abstract: Background -The visible aspect of skin lesions and its psychological impact interfere in the quality of life of patients. Objectives-To assess the quality of life and site of dermatological lesion; to check associations between variables and compare levels of quality of life in patients with lesions on the face and/or hands and patients with lesions in parts of the body other than face and/or hands. Methods -descriptive, association-based cross-sectional study. Two hundred and five subjects were assessed using SF-36 Generic Life Quality Questionnaire "The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey" (SF-36); the Dermatology Life Quality Index DLQI-BRA, and socio-demographical and lesion site data files. Results -No significant differences were observed in the results for quality of life between the two groups but the number of associations between SF-36 and DLQI-BRA was higher in the group with lesions on the face and/or hands. Significant differences were verified in a further detailed division into five groups. The significant difference (p=0.05) appeared between the group with lesions on the face and/or hands and the group with generalized lesions, being that the latter presented an average ranking of 114.06 compared with 69.1935 in the former group. Conclusion -Regardless of the site of lesion, the feeling of exposure and the damages to which the dermatological patients are exposed are simi...

Objective: The objective of this article was to investigate the biopsychosocial factors that influence adherence to treatment and the quality of life of individuals who have been successfully following the HIV/AIDS treatment. Methods: It is a cross-sectional study carried out with 120 HIV positive participants in the south of Brazil. Among the variables studied, of note are: perceived stress, social support, symptoms of anxiety and depression and quality of life. Results:The results show that a moderate to high adherence to the treatment paired with a strong sense of social support indicate a higher quality of life. Conclusion: The combination of social support and antiretroviral treatment have an impact on physical conditions, improving immune response and quality of life. rESUMoObjetivo: O objetivo deste artigo foi investigar os fatores biopsicossociais para adesão e qualidade de vida de pessoas que vivem com HIV/AIDS bem-sucedidas no tratamento de saúde. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal realizado com 120 participantes portadores de HIV do sul do Brasil. Entre as variáveis estudadas, destacam-se: estresse percebido, suporte social, sintomas de ansiedade e depressão e qualidade de vida. Resultados: Os resultados apontam que a adesão ao tratamento moderada para alta com boa percepção do suporte social indica melhor qualidade de vida. Conclusão: O suporte social e o tratamento antirretroviral têm impacto nas condições físicas, promovendo aumento na resposta imunológica e na qualidade de vida.