Objective: To evaluate serum levels of different biomarkers associated with cardiovascular disease in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Patients were prospectively evaluated in two separate instances: during acute mania and after remission of manic symptoms. All measurements were compared with those of healthy controls. Methods: The study included 30 patients with BD and 30 healthy controls, matched for gender and age. Biochemical parameters evaluated included homocysteine (Hcy), folic acid, vitamin B12, ferritin, creatine kinase (CK) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Results: Hcy levels were significantly higher in the BD patients, both during mania and after achieving euthymia. When Hcy was adjusted for body mass index, there was no significant difference between patients and controls. Ferritin was the only marker that showed a significant decrease during mania when compared to both euthymic patients and controls. There were no significant differences for folate, vitamin B12, CK and CRP. Conclusions: These findings do not show an association between alterations of markers of cardiovascular risk during manic episodes. Further studies are necessary to determine factors and mechanisms associated with cardiovascular risk in patients with BD.

A mudança das instituições hospitalares verificada internacionalmente envolve particularmente os Hospitais Universitários (HU). O presente artigo objetiva promover uma reflexão acerca de desafios dos HU brasileiros. O texto atém-se à análise daqueles hospitais vinculados às Instituições Federais de Ensino Superior. Há substantiva heterogeneidade entre os HU, envolvendo desde os perfis assistenciais, porte e modelos de gestão. No Brasil, os HU são agentes nucleares de duas políticas de Estado - educação e saúde. É no âmbito dos HU que se manifestam os tensionamentos inerentes à complexidade de articulação de tais políticas. Os HU têm sido incitados a oferecer respostas a problemas que transcendem sua capacidade. Cabe fortalecer a sustentabilidade organizacional dos HU, incluindo a capacidade de implantação de mecanismos de saneamento financeiro, de indicadores de avaliação e gestão, a incorporação das questões afetas à qualidade dos serviços prestados, a transparência e a responsabilidade social. Aos HU cabem melhorar as condições de saúde da população. A efetivação desses papéis é mais ampla do que conceber os HU somente como instituições prestadoras de serviços. O futuro e a afirmação dos HU dependerá da sua capacidade de contribuir para ações integradoras nas políticas de Estado para a saúde e educação.

The changing process of health care services affects the University Hospitals (UH) in a particular manner. This paper aims to analyse the challenges and future perspectives of the Brazilian UH. In order to do so, only the UH affiliated to the Brazilian Federal Teaching Institutions were analysed. There is a substantial heterogeneity amongst UH in Brazil, in terms of size and organizational structure as well as in the type of health care provided. Brazilian UH represent core elements of two State policies: Education and Health. Consequently, the existing tensions between these two policies, to some extent, often reflect on the UH. Also, the UH must frequently address challenges that go beyond their purpose. Organizational sustainability remains a crucial issue to the UH. This concept entails effective financial and management skills, outcomes monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and accountability. UH in Brazil have two main roles: providing health care and integrating the National Health System. From a future perspective, the UH shall be conceived from a much broader perspective than that of institutions that only provide health care. The future of Brazilian UH relies on their capacity to provide effective support to the State Health and Education policies.

A mudança das instituições hospitalares verificada internacionalmente envolve particularmente os Hospitais Universitários (HU). O presente artigo objetiva promover uma reflexão acerca de desafios dos HU brasileiros. O texto atém-se à análise daqueles hospitais vinculados às Instituições Federais de Ensino Superior. Há substantiva heterogeneidade entre os HU, envolvendo desde os perfis assistenciais, porte e modelos de gestão. No Brasil, os HU são agentes nucleares de duas políticas de Estado - educação e saúde. É no âmbito dos HU que se manifestam os tensionamentos inerentes à complexidade de articulação de tais políticas. Os HU têm sido incitados a oferecer respostas a problemas que transcendem sua capacidade. Cabe fortalecer a sustentabilidade organizacional dos HU, incluindo a capacidade de implantação de mecanismos de saneamento financeiro, de indicadores de avaliação e gestão, a incorporação das questões afetas à qualidade dos serviços prestados, a transparência e a responsabilidade social. Aos HU cabem melhorar as condições de saúde da população. A efetivação desses papéis é mais ampla do que conceber os HU somente como instituições prestadoras de serviços. O futuro e a afirmação dos HU dependerá da sua capacidade de contribuir para ações integradoras nas políticas de Estado para a saúde e educação.

The changing process of health care services affects the University Hospitals (UH) in a particular manner. This paper aims to analyse the challenges and future perspectives of the Brazilian UH. In order to do so, only the UH affiliated to the Brazilian Federal Teaching Institutions were analysed. There is a substantial heterogeneity amongst UH in Brazil, in terms of size and organizational structure as well as in the type of health care provided. Brazilian UH represent core elements of two State policies: Education and Health. Consequently, the existing tensions between these two policies, to some extent, often reflect on the UH. Also, the UH must frequently address challenges that go beyond their purpose. Organizational sustainability remains a crucial issue to the UH. This concept entails effective financial and management skills, outcomes monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and accountability. UH in Brazil have two main roles: providing health care and integrating the National Health System. From a future perspective, the UH shall be conceived from a much broader perspective than that of institutions that only provide health care. The future of Brazilian UH relies on their capacity to provide effective support to the State Health and Education policies.