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Performance Comparison of the enzymatic parameters obtained by the participants of the PNCQ and the PNAEQ – “Study Collaboration” between Brazil and Portugal

2013-06-04T10:53:01Z

Title: Performance Comparison of the enzymatic parameters obtained by the participants of the PNCQ and the PNAEQ – “Study Collaboration” between Brazil and Portugal Authors: Valpassos, André; Menezes, Maria Elizabeth; Corrêa, José Abol; Correia, Helena; Silva, Rita; Brito, Cristina; Faria, Ana Paula Abstract: The National External Quality Assessment Program (PNAEQ), inserted in the National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA, IP) and the National Program of Quality Control (PNCQ), supported by the Brazilian Society of Clinical Analysis, organizes and coordinates programs for the External Quality Assessment Laboratory. A comparative study was performed between Portugal and Brazil in order to detect similarities, and/or differences, of the results provided by the laboratories that participate in the program “External Quality Control” in both countries. Given the wide range and the variability in the determination of enzymes, a comparative test was performed between the two countries.

Patterns and trends of tobacco consumption in the Portuguese population: National Health Survey data 1987 - 2005

2013-06-04T10:56:19Z

Title: Patterns and trends of tobacco consumption in the Portuguese population: National Health Survey data 1987 - 2005 Authors: Leite, Andreia; Machado, Ausenda; Dias, Carlos Matias Abstract: Background: Smoking is a significant risk factor for many diseases, particularly respiratory, cardiovascular and cancer. Describing smoking patterns in the Portuguese population is important for monitoring and planning preventative strategies for this public health problem. This study aims to contribute to the epidemiological survey of smoking in Portugal using data from the several National Health Surveys. Objectives: Estimate prevalence of smoking and its evolution from 1987 to 2005 according to socio-demographic characteristics. Methods: We used data collected in National Health Surveys 1987, 1995, 1998 and 2005. For each survey, gender specific smoking prevalences were computed for different age-groups. Also, age-standardized prevalences were estimated (direct method, standard European population), stratified by occupation, educational degree, professional category, marital status and region. Results: Smoking prevalences suggest cohort effects both in men and in women, with higher estimates moving from survey to survey to older age-groups. Removing the effect of the different age structures smoking prevalence in men is decreasing between periods, from 35.2% [95% Confidence Interval (95%CI): 34.2; 36.2] for 1987 to 28.8% (95%CI: 27.8; 29.9) in 2005/2006. Unemployed (from 40.6 in 2005 to 51.6 in 1995), divorced (range: 44.9% in 2005 to 58.4% in 1987), resident in Alentejo (range: 34.1% in 2005 to 46.8% in 1987), non-qualified workers (range: 35.8% in 1995 to 42.7% in 1987) had the highest smoking prevalences. No trends were observed by occupation, marital status, region and professional category. Similar analysis in women showed that smoking prevalence is increasing: 6.0% (95%CI: 5.6; 6.4) in 1987 to 11% (95%CI: 10.6; 11.9) in 2005/2006. Across the different surveys we observed that divorced (range: 19.3% in 1987 to 27.4% in 1995) and resident in Lisbon (range: 9.2 % in 1987 to 16.0% in 2005) women had the highest smoking prevalences. No trends were observed in marital status and region. In the educational level we observed a trend, where a higher prevalence was verified for the high education in 1987 (23.4%) and 1995 (18.2) switching for high school in more recent surveys (18.9% and 14.8% for 1998 and 2005, respectively). No patterns were identified for the remaining variables in either gender. Conclusions: Smoking trends have some differences in Portuguese men and women irrespective of age effects, with prevalence diminishing among men and rising among women. Smokers profiles also differ by gender, with highest tobacco consumption in men observed in more deprived socio-economical groups, while in women the pattern seems to affect more affluent groups.

Occupational exposure in a contaminated estuarine environment epidemiological study

2013-06-04T10:56:18Z

Title: Occupational exposure in a contaminated estuarine environment epidemiological study Authors: Paixão, Eleonora; Machado, Ausenda; Caeiro, Sandra; Dias, Carlos Matias Abstract: Introduction: Previous environmental studies on Sado estuary indicated high concentrations of heavy metals (such as Cu, Zn, Ni, As, Cr, e Pb) on its sediments due to industrial contamination along with non-point anthropogenic sources. Although considerable investigation has been done on environmental contamination assessment and its effects to ecological systems, in this particular geographical area no study relating the health effects due to exposure to heavy metals was ever conducted. Thus an epidemiological study, was implemented in a small fisherman community living in Carrasqueira Village at Sado Estuary (exposed population) and in Vila Nova de Mil Fontes- VNMF (non exposed).The results to be presented reflect the analysis of occupational exposure comparing both populations. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed and data was collected through an epidemiological questionnaire. Face to face interviews of selected individuals was done during June and July 2011. Participants, from all ages and sex, were selected by simple randomization, using the medical registrations lists of local Health Centers. Dimensions measured in the two groups included among others i) Exposure factors related to levels of contaminants, including socio-demographic, occupational, leisure habits and hobbies, ii) Route of contamination (with special attention to subsistence fishing and farming) and iii) Health effects. To each respondent was required to describe the tasks inherent to their actual or past job. From this description indicators of a potential route exposure to contaminants were created. It was considered direct exposure (fishing inherent tasks); indirect exposure (agriculture inherent tasks), other routes of contamination (tasks with other sources of contamination such as painting). The absence of the previous exposures indicates that no relevant exposure existed. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive analysis and associations were tested using Chi-squared test. A 5% significance level was used in all the tests. Results: A total of 202 participants were included in the study (102 in Carrasqueira and 100 in VNMF) and no significant differences were observed in age distribution (p=0.267), but there were significant differences in the educational (p<0.001) level and occupation (p<0.001). Professions like fishers and agricultures are more likely to have higher risks of exposure to estuary river contaminants and were more common in Carrasqueira. The participants of Carrasqueira reported a significant higher proportion of tasks inherent to their actual job, promoting direct (48.8%) and/or indirect (30.0%) exposure to contaminants (p<0.001 and p=0.006 respectively). There were no differences in the other routes of contamination (p=0.511). On the opposite VNMF participants were not exposed to any contaminant route. Similar results were found in the analysis of tasks in previous professions. Also the period of time that was spent in the fishers and agricultures activities in Carrasqueira was higher than in VNMF (about 90% of individuals had more than 8 years of exposure, p<0.001). Conclusions: On exposure epidemiological studies the selection of non exposed population is critical to avoid bias. The results obtained showed that VNMF population was a good selection since they differ from Carrasqueira in the exposure indicators.

Risk assessment in an estuarine environment: a case-study in the Sado Estuary

2013-06-04T10:56:15Z

Title: Risk assessment in an estuarine environment: a case-study in the Sado Estuary Authors: Machado, Ausenda; Paixão, Eleonora; Caeiro, Sandra; Dias, Carlos Matias Abstract: Introduction Previous studies found high heavy metal concentration on Sado estuary, its sediments and marine species, related with industrial and non-point anthropogenic sources. Heavy metal human exposure is associated with neoplasic, renal and neurological diseases, as well as teratogenic effects, but has never been assessed in populations living on this estuary. The HERA project (Environmental Risk Assessment of a contaminated estuarine environment: a case study) aimed to characterize human exposure pathways and potential health effects of estuarine contamination. Materials and Method The cross-sectional epidemiological study compared the population of a small fisherman community (Carrasqueira) on the southern shore of the Sado Estuary, with a non exposed population living in Vila Nova de Mil Fontes (VNMF). Face to face data collection took place between June and July 2011 using a structured questionnaire. Participants were selected by simple randomization of medical registration lists of local Health Centers. Written informed consent was obtained. Identification of potential confounders and adjusted OR were computed using Mantel-Haenszel and non-conditional logistic regression. Significance level was set at 5%. Results Results relate to 202 participants. Carrasqueira population showed a significantly higher risk of exposure from several sources (occupation, leisure habits, estuarine fish consumption, estuarine water for drinking, food preparation, irrigation, as well as own grown vegetable consumption). A higher proportion of chronic heavy metal related morbidity (OR= 1,913; IC95%: 1,007-3,635), and congenital anomalies (OR= 1,527; IC95%: 0,474- 4,918) were observed in Carrasqueira. Only age was retained as confounder in logistic regression, resulting in a 2,361 higher risk of having at least one of the diseases in Carrasqueira compared to VNMF (IC95%: 1,189-4,691). Conclusions These results support possible health effects of exposure to Sado estuary. However, small sample size and self-reported nature of exposure and outcomes advice caution in interpretation. Further studies should use bioindicators of exposure and outcome.