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Biomedical subjects

G Nunes

Publications and source records attributed to G Nunes.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Headache is not more frequent among patients with moderate to severe hypertension.

The association between hypertension and headache has been a contentious issue. Most studies have showed that mild hypertension and headache are not associated, but this may not be the case in patients with hypertension classified at more severe stages. We investigated the association between hypertension classified at moderate to severe stages and headache in a cross-sectional study conducted in the hypertension clinic of a tertiary care University hospital. In total, 1763 referred patients with a medical diagnosis of hypertension in most cases (95.7%) were evaluated by an extensive protocol questionnaire, detailed physical examination, laboratory examination, and had their blood pressure classified according to the VI Joint National Committee (JNC-VI) recommendation. Logistic regression models were used to explore the association between severity of hypertension and pulse pressure with the presence of headache, controlling for several potential confounders. The complaint of headache was referred by 903 (51.3% of whole sample), and a total of 378 patients (21.4%) were classified at the moderate to severe stage (stage III of the JNC-VI report). The diagnosis of moderate to severe hypertension was not associated with the complaint of headache (OR 1.02, 95% CI from 0.79 to 1.30). Pulse pressure and headache were inversely associated (OR 0.91, 95% CI from 0.86 to 0.97, for 10 mmHg). We concluded that headache and hypertension classified at moderate to severe stages were not associated in patients attending to a hypertension clinic. The novel finding of an inverse association between pulse pressure and headache should be addressed in further investigations.

Adult↗

Penile paraffinoma.

A 40-year-old Caucasian man, originating from Ukraine, but living for the last year and a half in Portugal, presented to our department with a one year history of an irregular penile mass and phimosis. He reluctantly admitted that 8 years previously he had multiple mineral oil injections in the penis, for the purpose of penile enlargement. A diagnosis of penile paraffinoma was made and surgical excision was performed at the urology department. Paraffinoma results from mineral-oil injections: such practice is very rare in the western world nowadays, however, it still is performed in many Eastern European Countries.

Adult↗

[Percutaneous myocardial revascularization procedures in Brazil in 1996-1997 compared to the 1992-1993 period. A report of the National Registry--National Center for Cardiovascular Interventions (CENIC)].

PURPOSE: To report the results of percutaneous coronary interventions, in Brazil, in the years 1996-97, comparing them to those of 1992-93. METHODS: Data were collected in a standard form and the 1996-97 results were compared to those of 1992-93. RESULTS: The current Registry received data from 79% effective members of the SBHCI in 127 hospitals, including 22,025 patients, 60.67% of whom underwent PTCA, 36.57% stent implantation, 2.3% PTRA, 0.06% DCA and 0.4% laser angioplasty. Balloon angioplasty was the most frequent procedure in 1996-97, but its overall rate fell from 6.75% to 55.8% (p = 0.0001) concomitantly, there was a 35% relative increase in the use of stents from 1992-93 to 1996-97. The success rate of the later period was higher (89.7% vs 92.8%, p = 0.000001), with lower residual stenosis (22% vs 19%, p = 0.001). Besides, there were lower major complications rates: acute myocardial infarction (2.5% vs 1.2%, p = 0.002) and death (1.8% vs 1.4%, p = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: The procedures most often carried out in both periods were balloon angioplasty (60.67%) and implantation of stents (36.57%); the success rate high, abrupt closure rate was low (1.5%). These favorable results corroborate the high standards of the Brazilian Interventional Cardiology.

Aged↗

[Emphysematous pyelonephritis].

A case of emphysematous pyelonephritis to E. coli, in a 63-year-old female diabetic patient is presented herein. Imaging techniques (plain abdomen X-Ray, ultra-sonography and computed tomography) allowed the authors to make the diagnosis. Percutaneous nephrostomy, combined with medical therapeutics, contributed to a favourable clinical evolution of the patient.

Diabetes Complications↗

Active replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in HIV type 1 and in HIV type 2 infected patients.

To evaluate the effect of concurrent infection by HIV on HBV infection or immunity, we have studied a group of 66 HIV1+ symptomatic Caucasian patients and another of 38 African HIV2+ asymptomatic individuals, concerning their HBV status: serological markers of infection and presence of HBV-DNA in serum, the last taken as sign of hepatitis B virus active replication, were monitored. HIV+ groups were compared with seronegative controls, adequately matched for age, sex and ethnological background. HBV DNA was found in 7.6% of HIV1+ Caucasian patients and 3.2% of seronegative controls; in African HIV2+ individuals 2.6% were also HBV DNA+, a percentage close to that found in HIV2 seronegative controls (2.9%). No correlation was found between HIV infection and HBV active replication. Immunodepression that follows HIV infection over time may be compatible with a degree of T cell function capable of avoiding reinfection with or reactivation of HBV, even in symptomatic stages of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Our findings are relevant to the choice of preventive strategies in populations at risk for HIV and HBV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗