Abstract Objective To evaluate patients’ and healthcare professionals’ knowledge about vaccination protocols in post-liver transplantation before and after applying an educational awareness strategy in this population. Methods Patients (n=124) underwent the educational intervention through access to a webpage containing educational videos and, for health professionals (n=111), through a symposium and access to information on the project’s virtual page. To analyze the effect of the intervention, qualitative analyses of knowledge were carried out using questionnaires before and after the interventions. Results Among patients, males were predominant (66.9%) and the mean age was 55.2 years old (SD + 15.9). 82.2% of patients visited a UBS to be vaccinated and 13.7% of them the CRIEs (Reference Center for Special Immunobiologicals). Only 46.7% received orientation about vaccines after liver transplantation. From the 111 questionnaires answered by health professionals, 46.5% did not check the vaccine portfolio, 61.3% referred patients to UBS and 38.7% to a CRIE. In the post-intervention analysis, 66.1% of patients watched educational videos about vaccination. Of these, 62.2% said they had improved their understanding about vaccines and 91.4% feel safer to vaccinate. After the educational intervention, 45 health professionals answered the questionnaire. 30.4% said they knew which vaccines to prescribe, and 67.4% recommended vaccines to patients’ relatives. Conclusion The proposed educational strategy applied in this study shown to increase awareness regarding the post-liver transplant immunization protocols. This may contribute to avoiding the potential risk of lack of information and failure to address vaccination by healthcare professionals.

Resumen Objetivo Evaluar los conocimientos de pacientes y profesionales de la salud sobre protocolos de vacunación tras un trasplante hepático, antes y después de aplicar una estrategia educativa de sensibilización en esta población. Métodos Los pacientes (n=124) fueron sometidos a la intervención educativa mediante el acceso a un sitio web con videos educativos, y los profesionales de la salud (n=11), mediante un simposio y el acceso a información en la página web del proyecto. Para analizar el efecto de la intervención, se realizaron análisis cualitativos de conocimiento con cuestionaros antes y después de la intervención. Resultados Entre los pacientes, el sexo masculino fue predominante (66,9 %) y la edad promedio fue 52,2 años (SD + 15,9). El 82,2 % de los pacientes fue a una Unidad Básica de Salud (UBS) para recibir la vacuna y el 13,7 % de ellos acudió a un Centro de Referencia para Inmunobiológicos Especiales (CRIE). Solo el 46,7 % recibió instrucciones sobre vacunación tras el trasplante hepático. De los 111 cuestionarios respondidos por profesionales de la salud, el 46,5 % no consultó el catálogo de vacunas, el 61,3 % derivó a los pacientes a una UBS y el 38,7 % a un CRIE. En el análisis posintervención, el 66,1 % de los pacientes miró los videos educativos sobre vacunación. De ellos, el 62,2 % mencionó haber mejorado su comprensión sobre vacunas y el 91,4 % se sintió más seguro para vacunarse. Después de la intervención educativa, 45 profesionales de la salud respondieron el cuestionario. El 30,4 % afirmó saber qué vacunas prescribir y el 67,4 % recomendó vacunas a familiares de los pacientes. Conclusión La estrategia educativa propuesta aplicada en este estudio demostró un aumento de conocimiento sobre los protocolos de inmunización tras un trasplante hepático. Esto pude ayudar a evitar el riesgo potencial de la falta de información y el no abordar el tema de la vacunación por parte de los profesionales de la salud.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o conhecimento de pacientes e profissionais de saúde sobre os protocolos de vacinação no pós-transplante hepático antes e após a aplicação de uma estratégia educativa de conscientização nessa população. Métodos Os pacientes (n=124) foram submetidos à intervenção educativa através do acesso a uma página web com vídeos educativos e, para os profissionais de saúde (n=111), através de um simpósio e acesso à informação na página virtual do projeto. Para analisar o efeito da intervenção, análises qualitativas de conhecimento foram realizadas por meio de questionários antes e depois das intervenções. Resultados Entre os pacientes, predominou o sexo masculino (66,9%) e a média de idade foi de 55,2 anos (DP + 15,9). 82,2% dos pacientes procuraram uma UBS para serem vacinados e 13,7% deles, os CRIEs (Centro de Referência para Imunobiológicos Especiais). Apenas 46,7% receberam orientações sobre vacinas após o transplante hepático. Dos 111 questionários respondidos pelos profissionais de saúde, 46,5% não consultaram a carteira de vacinas, 61,3% encaminharam os pacientes para UBS e 38,7%, para um CRIE. Na análise pós-intervenção, 66,1% dos pacientes assistiram a vídeos educativos sobre vacinação. Destes, 62,2% disseram ter melhorado seu entendimento sobre as vacinas e 91,4% se sentem mais seguros para vacinar. Após a intervenção educativa, 45 profissionais de saúde responderam ao questionário. 30,4% afirmaram saber quais vacinas prescrever e 67,4% indicaram vacinas para familiares de pacientes. Conclusão A estratégia educacional proposta aplicada neste estudo mostrou aumentar a conscientização sobre os protocolos de imunização pós-transplante hepático. Isso pode contribuir para evitar o risco potencial de falta de informação e não abordagem da vacinação pelos profissionais de saúde.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Although autonomic dysfunction has been shown to be associated with liver cirrhosis, the prevalence and prognostic implications are unclear. Abnormal heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic function, has not been well investigated in cirrhosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of high-risk HRV parameters in a cohort of cirrhotic patients and their association with cardiac dysfunction and mortality. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective observational study conducted in the Federal University of São Paulo. METHOD: A cohort of 120 patients, comprising 17 healthy controls and 103 cirrhotic outpatients, was evaluated and followed for 10 months. HRV analysis was based on 24-hour Holter monitoring and defined using time-domain and frequency-domain parameters. RESULTS: The HRV parameters were statistically lower in cirrhotic patients than in healthy subjects. High-risk HRV parameters were prevalent, such that 64% had at least one high-risk parameter. Time-domain parameters correlated with Child scores (P < 0.0001). In regression models, HRV parameters were independent predictors of diastolic dysfunction and mortality. During 10 months of follow-up, there were 11 deaths, all of patients with at least one high-risk HRV parameter. Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated low survival rates among patients with standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN) < 100. CONCLUSION: Reduced HRV is prevalent in liver cirrhosis and is related to cardiac dysfunction, severity of liver disease and mortality. Abnormal high-risk HRV parameters are prevalent among cirrhotic patients and are also predictors of mortality. Our findings highlight the need for a more careful cardiac evaluation of cirrhotic patients.