Jornal Brasileiro De Pneumologia 

About: Jornal Brasileiro De Pneumologia is an academic journal published by Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Internal medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 1806-3713. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 2730 publications have been published receiving 34234 citations. The journal is also known as: Brazilian Journal of Pulmonology.

New reference values for forced spirometry in white adults in Brazil.

Abstract: OBJETIVO: Descrever novas equacoes de referencia para a espirometria em adultos brasileiros saudaveis que nunca fumaram, e comparar os valores previstos atuais com os valores derivados em 1992. METODOS: Equacoes e limites de referencia foram derivados em 270 homens e 373 mulheres, habitantes de oito cidades brasileiras, por espirometro. A idade variou de 20 a 85 anos nas mulheres e 26 a 86 anos nos homens. Os exames seguiram as normas recomendadas pela Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia. Os limites inferiores foram derivados pela analise do 5o percentil dos residuos. RESULTADOS: Os valores previstos para capacidade vital forcada (CVF), volume expiratorio forcado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) e para as relacoes VEF1/CVF e VEF1/volume expiratorio forcado nos primeiros seis segundos (VEF6) se ajustaram melhor em regressoes lineares. Os fluxos ajustaram-se melhor em equacoes logaritmicas. Em ambos os sexos, maiores estaturas resultaram em menores valores para as relacoes VEF1/CVF, VEF1/VEF6 e fluxos/CVF. Os valores de referencia do VEF1 e da CVF, no presente estudo, foram maiores do que aqueles derivados para adultos brasileiros em 1992. CONCLUSAO: Novos valores previstos para a espirometria forcada foram obtidos em uma amostra da populacao brasileira de raca branca. Os valores sao maiores do que os obtidos em 1992, provavelmente em decorrencia de fatores tecnicos.

Portuguese-language version of the Epworth sleepiness scale: validation for use in Brazil

Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a Portuguese-language version of the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) for use in Brazil. Methods: The steps involved in creating the ESS in Brazilian Portuguese (ESS-BR) were as follows: translation; back-translation; comparison (by a committee) between the translation and the back-translation; and testing in bilingual individuals. The ESS-BR was applied to a group of patients who were submitted to overnight polysomnography in order to identify obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), insomnia and primary snoring. A control group was composed of subjects with a history of normal sleep habits, without reported snoring. Results: A total of 114 patients and 21 controls were included. The 8-item scores of the ESS-BR had an overall reliability coefficient of 0.83. The study group was composed of 59 patients with OSAHS, 34 patients with primary snoring and 21 patients with insomnia. One-way ANOVA demonstrated significant differences in ESS-BR scores among the four diagnostic groups (p 0.05). The ESS-BR scores were significantly higher for OSAHS patients and for primary snorers than for controls (p < 0.05). In addition, the scores for OSAHS patients were significantly higher than were those for primary snorers (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrate that the ESS-BR is a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of daytime sleepiness, equivalent to its original version when applied to individuals who speak Brazilian Portuguese.

III Brazilian Thoracic Association Guidelines on tuberculosis.

Abstract: New scientific articles about tuberculosis (TB) are published daily worldwide. However, it is difficult for health care workers, overloaded with work, to stay abreast of the latest research findings and to discern which information can and should be used in their daily practice on assisting TB patients. The purpose of the III Brazilian Thoracic Association (BTA) Guidelines on TB is to critically review the most recent national and international scientific information on TB, presenting an updated text with the most current and useful tools against TB to health care workers in our country. The III BTA Guidelines on TB have been developed by the BTA Committee on TB and the TB Work Group, based on the text of the II BTA Guidelines on TB (2004). We reviewed the following databases: LILACS (SciELO) and PubMed (Medline). The level of evidence of the cited articles was determined, and 24 recommendations on TB have been evaluated, discussed by all of the members of the BTA Committee on TB and of the TB Work Group, and highlighted. The first version of the present Guidelines was posted on the BTA website and was available for public consultation for three weeks. Comments and critiques were evaluated. The level of scientific evidence of each reference was evaluated before its acceptance for use in the final text.

Validation of the Modified Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire and the Medical Research Council scale for use in Brazilian patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity and reproducibility of two subjective instruments to assess limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Brazil: the Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire - Modified version (PFSDQ-M) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. METHODS: Thirty patients with COPD (age, 67 ± 10 years; males, 17; forced expiratory volume in one second, 42% ± 13% of predicted) completed the Portuguese-language versions of the two instruments on two occasions, one week apart. The PFSDQ-M has three components: influence of dyspnea on ADLs, influence of fatigue on ADLs change in ADLs experienced by the patient. The MRC scale is simple, with only five items, in which patients report the degree to which dyspnea limits their performance of ADLs. The traditional Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), previously validated for use in Brazil, was used as a validation criterion. RESULTS: The test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient) of the PFSDQ-M was 0.93, 0.92 and 0.90 for dyspnea, fatigue and change components, respectively, compared with 0.83 for the MRC scale. Bland-Altman plots showed good test-retest agreement for the PFSDQ-M. The components of the PFSDQ-M and the MRC scale correlated significantly with all of the domains and the total score of the SGRQ (0.49 < r < 0.80; p < 0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The Portuguese-language versions of the PFSDQ-M and the MRC scale proved reproducible and valid for use in patients with COPD in Brazil.

Antituberculosis drugs: drug interactions, adverse effects, and use in special situations - part 2: second line drugs

Abstract: The main objectives of tuberculosis therapy are to cure the patients and to minimize the possibility of transmission of the bacillus to healthy subjects. Adverse effects of antituberculosis drugs or drug interactions (among antituberculosis drugs or between antituberculosis drugs and other drugs) can make it necessary to modify or discontinue treatment. We describe the general mechanism of action, absorption, metabolization, and excretion of the drugs used to treat multidrug resistant tuberculosis (aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, cycloserine/terizidone, ethionamide, capreomycin, and para-aminosalicylic acid). We describe adverse drug reactions and interactions (with other drugs, food, and antacids), as well as the most appropriate approach to special situations, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver failure, and kidney failure.