Avaliação nutricional e alimentar de pacientes portadores de hanseníase tratados em unidades de saúde da grande Vitória, Estado do Espírito Santo

Abstract

RESUMO ABSTRACTIntroduction: The present study investigated leprosy in relation to the clinical, sociodemographic, nutritional and dietary profiles of patients diagnosed at primary healthcare units in the suburbs of Greater Vitória, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil, from January to December 2009. Methods: The study involved 152 male and female patients initiating polychemotherapy treatment. The collected data included sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical and dietary aspects derived from a questionnaire of eating frequency (QEF) that was validated and adapted for Brazilian culture. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated to evaluate patient nutritional status. Results: The study showed that: 79 (52%) of the participants were women, average age was 40.4 years-old (±16.9); 81 (53.3%) were employed; the mean number of years of schooling was 7.1 (±4.5). Concerning the disease, 79 (52%) of the participants were multibacillary and 73 (48%) paucibacillary. The bacilloscopy index was negative in 125 (82.2%) patients. Excess weight was identified in 11.8% and 5.3% were underweight. Rice and beans were mentioned frequently, 87.3% and 88.7%, respectively. Conclusions: The study showed that simple actions, initiated during primary healthcare, can help to improve the treatment of patients with the leprosy.

Correlation between therapy and lipid profile of leprosy patients: is there a higher risk for developing cardiovascular diseases after treatment?

“…A low education level is a reality in the northern region of Brazil, which, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics [19], has the second highest illiteracy rate in the country. Similar results have been reported by Montenegro et al [16]. The percentage of low-income patients receiving 248–496 American dollars was high in the present study (63.10%), in agreement with other reports [20].…”

“…According to data from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey (2010) on nutritional status, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is high in Brazil, affecting half the adult population [19]. Similar results have been reported in other studies [16, 29]. In contrast, a high degree of malnutrition has been observed in studies conducted in India (BMI < 17 kg/m 2 ) [30, 31].…”

“…The main changes in food intake reported involved the meat group (pork, duck, fish, sausage, and eggs) since they are “unhealthy foods” that worsen the disease and are responsible for its dissemination. Montenegro et al [16] reported similar results in terms of the most consumed foods (chicken meat, whole milk, eggs, and beans), low protein intake, and low intake of legumes and vegetables compared to the recommendation of the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population.…”

“…However, Montenegro et al [16] observed a trend towards a higher proportion of females, which can be explained by the fact that women have gained a more active role in the labour market.…”

Percepções de portadores de hanseníase sobre as reações hansênicas e o cuidado de si

“…É comum a esses indivíduos, que lutam contra essa condição de sofrimento, haver limitação alimentar, o que pode suscitar a ansiedade ou o sentimento de culpa associado à falta de compreensão sobre o que causa tais reações. A orientação profissional sobre os alimentos e as manifestações da hanseníase pode auxiliar no acompanhamento aos portadores da doença 13 .…”