Abstract Coronary artery calcification is an early marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, but little research has been done in asymptomatic individuals under 45 years. In this cohort study with 17 years of follow-up, 155 participants were assessed in 2016 with a coronary calcium score for the association with cardiovascular risk factors. During follow-up, there was a significant increase in anthropometric measurements, cholesterol and fractions, and diastolic pressure. Participants who gained 1 cm in waist circumference had a mean reduction of 0.36 mg/dL in HDL-cholesterol and those who gained 1 kg/m2 in body mass index had a reduction of 0.72 mg/dL in HDL-cholesterol. Married participants had a 4.78 mg/dL reduction in HDL-cholesterol levels compared to singles. There was an increase of 2.09 mg/dL in HDL-cholesterol at each higher level of self-perceived health. One single case, a 32-year-old male, smoker, sedentary individual with a family history of cardiovascular disease, presented coronary calcification (0.6%). His HDL-cholesterol was reduced by 43.4%, with levels of less than 25 mg/dL at the time of coronary calcium scoring. Our findings may prompt broader studies of populations under 35 years with HDL-C levels below 25 mg/dL and family histories of cardiovascular disease, associated with obesity, sedentary lifestyle and smoking.

Resumo Este estudo objetivou conhecer as vivências da morte de pacientes idosos na prática médica e a dignidade humana em ambiente hospitalar. Aborda o olhar do médico em suas experiências com a morte de pacientes idosos, bem como o comportamento e as reações dos familiares na iminência da morte de seus entes queridos. Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa, de caráter exploratório e descritivo. Realizaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas com 11 médicos que atuam há mais de cinco anos em hospital de grande porte do interior do Rio Grande do Sul. Por meio de análise temática de conteúdo, esta pesquisa analisa a categoria “vivências da morte de pacientes idosos na prática médica” e suas subcategorias. Conclui-se que é necessário inserir na formação médica a discussão e o estudo sobre abordagem e enfrentamento da morte, a fim de minimizar dilemas éticos vivenciados pelos profissionais em sua prática cotidiana.

Abstract This study focuses on the experiences of death of older adults in medical practice, and human dignity in hospital environments. It discusses the medical perspective regarding their experience with death of older adults, as well as the behavior and reactions of the family when their loved ones are on the verge of death. The research was qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with eleven doctors, who have worked for over five years in a large hospital in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Through thematic content analysis, this research analyzed the “experiences of death of older adults in medical practice” and the subcategories related to it. It concludes that it is necessary to include within medical training opportunities for the discussion and study of how to approach and deal with death, in order to minimize ethical dilemmas faced by professionals in their daily practice.

Resumen El estudio tuvo como objetivo conocer las vivencias en torno a la muerte de pacientes de edad avanzada en la práctica médica y la dignidad humana en el ambiente hospitalario. Se aborda la perspectiva del médico en sus experiencias con la muerte de pacientes ancianos, así como el comportamiento y las reacciones de los familiares ante la inminencia de la muerte de sus seres queridos. La investigación fue cualitativa y de carácter exploratorio y descriptivo. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas con 11 médicos, que trabajan desde hace más de cinco años en un hospital de gran porte en Río Grande do Sul, Brasil. A través del análisis temático de contenido, esta investigación analizó la categoría “vivencias en torno a la muerte de pacientes de edad avanzada en la práctica médica” y las subcategorías relacionadas a la misma. Se concluye que es necesaria la inserción en la formación médica de espacios de discusión y estudio sobre el abordaje y el afrontamiento de la muerte, con el fin de minimizar los dilemas éticos que enfrentan los profesionales en su práctica cotidiana.

Objetivou-se com este estudo conhecer as vivências e abordagens de médicos envolvendo o processo de morte e morrer de pacientes idosos em ambiente hospitalar. O fato aqui abordado detém-se na formação acadêmica e no enfrentamento da morte. O estudo é qualitativo e tem caráter exploratório e descritivo. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto, foram utilizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas em que participaram 11 médicos formados há mais de cinco anos, que atuam em um hospital de grande porte no interior do Rio Grande do Sul. Por meio da análise temática de conteúdo de Bardin, modificada por Minayo, foi possível construir cinco categorias. Aborda-se aqui apenas uma das categorias criadas para o estudo, que é "conversas sobre formação acadêmica". O estudo mostrou a preocupação do profissional médico quanto ao cuidado com o paciente e o respeito aos familiares, evidenciando, porém, a necessidade de reflexões com discussões amplas e profundas sobre a formação acadêmica, já que se percebe pelo estudo que, na visão de profissionais graduados há mais de cinco anos, a morte e o morrer não são contemplados nos projetos pedagógicos.

The aim of this study was to learn of experiences and approaches of doctors involving the process of death and dying of elderly patients in a hospital environment, and how their facing of death can be related to their medical training. This exploratory and descriptive study employed a qualitative research methodology involving semi-structured interviews with eleven doctors, who had graduated more than five years ago and were working in a large hospital in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Using the content analysis technique first proposed by Bardin, and further developed by Minayo, five categories were established. The Only one of the categories, namely "Conversations about Academic Training", is addressed in this paper. The study reveals the concern of the medical professional regarding patient care and respect, demonstrating, however, the need for broader and deeper reflections on academic training, as it is found that, in the eyes of the professionals who graduated more than five years ago, death death and dying are not covered in the curriculum.