Abstract: Background: Urticarias are frequent diseases, with 15% to 20% of the population presenting at least one acute episode in their lifetime. Urticaria are classified in acute ( ≤ 6 weeks) or chronic (> 6 weeks). They may be induced or spontaneous. Objectives: To verify the diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), according to the experience of Brazilian experts, regarding the available guidelines (international and US). Methods: A questionnaire was sent to Brazilian experts, with questions concerning diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for CSU in adults. Results: Sixteen Brazilian experts answered the questionnaire related to diagnosis and therapy of CSU in adults and data were analyzed. Final text was written, considering the available guidelines (International and US), adapted to the medical practices in Brazil. Diagnostic work up in CSU is rarely necessary. Biopsy of skin lesion and histopathology may be indicated to rule out other diseases, such as, urticarial vasculitis. Other laboratory tests, such as complete blood count, CRP, ESR and thyroid screening. Treatment of CSU includes second-generation anti-histamines (sgAH) at licensed doses, sgAH two, three to fourfold doses (non-licensed) and omalizumab. Other drugs, such as, cyclosporine, immunomodulatory drugs and immunosuppressants may be indicated (non-licensed and with limited scientific evidence). Conclusions: Most of the Brazilian experts in this study partially agreed with the diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations of the International and US guidelines. They agreed with the use of sgAH at licensed doses. Increase in the dose to fourfold of sgAH may be suggested with restrictions, due to its non-licensed dose. Sedating anti-histamines, as suggested by the US guideline, are indicated by some of the Brazilian experts, due to its availability. Adaptations are mandatory in the treatment of CSU, due to scarce or lack of other therapeutic resources in the public health system in Brazil, such as omalizumab or cyclosporine.

RESUMO: Introdução: A Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) deve ser o primeiro contato do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Contudo dois modelos de atenção operam concomitantemente no âmbito da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS): a ESF e o modelo tradicional. A expansão da ESF tem sido lenta e heterogênea em muitos municípios, tornando fundamental a condução de avaliações comparativas de atributos relacionados à qualidade dos modelos da APS. Objetivo: Comparar o desempenho dos modelos de atenção da APS de acordo com a percepção dos profissionais de saúde. Métodos: Estudo transversal com gestores e profissionais de saúde da APS do município de Divinópolis, Minas Gerais. Dados foram coletados por meio do Primary Care Assessment Tool. O desempenho dos modelos foi estimado por meio do Índice de Atenção Primária à Saúde (IAPS geral e específico). Regressão logística politômica univariada foi conduzida para comparação do desempenho dos modelos da APS de acordo com os atributos. A força da associação foi estimada por meio do odds ratio com intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados: Três gestores e 81 profissionais de saúde participaram do estudo. A ESF obteve melhor avaliação do que o modelo tradicional com relação ao IAPS geral e aos atributos vínculo, elenco de serviços, enfoque familiar e formação profissional. Conclusão: A ESF obteve escores superiores aos do modelo tradicional, entretanto ainda não atingiu o seu desempenho esperado. Esse cenário aponta para a necessidade de ampliação da cobertura da ESF e para a melhoria da qualidade das unidades de ESF existentes no Brasil.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The Family Health Strategy (FHS) should be first-contact care in the Brazilian Health System. However, Primary Health Care (PHC) still encompasses two models: the FHS and the traditional health care facilities. The expansion of the FHS has been slow and heterogeneous in many cities, rendering a comparative evaluation of key quality-related elements of PHC models crucial. Objective: To compare the performance of PHC models as perceived by health professionals. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving managers and health professionals from PHC of a medium-size city in South-eastern Brazil. Data were collected by applying the Primary Care Assessment Tool. The performance was estimated through primary health care indexes (general and partial PHCI by attributes). Univariate polytomous logistic regression was performed to compare care model performances according to their attributes. Strength of association was estimated by odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Results: Three managers and 81 health professionals participated in the study. The FHS had a better index rating than the traditional care model for general PHCI and for the attributes longitudinality, comprehensiveness, family focus and professional level. Conclusion: Although the FHS attained higher scores compared to the traditional model, it has not yet achieved the performance expected. This scenario points to the need for increased FHS cover and quality improvements at the existing units.

RESUMO: Introdução: A Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) deve ser o primeiro contato do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Contudo dois modelos de atenção operam concomitantemente no âmbito da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS): a ESF e o modelo tradicional. A expansão da ESF tem sido lenta e heterogênea em muitos municípios, tornando fundamental a condução de avaliações comparativas de atributos relacionados à qualidade dos modelos da APS. Objetivo: Comparar o desempenho dos modelos de atenção da APS de acordo com a percepção dos profissionais de saúde. Métodos: Estudo transversal com gestores e profissionais de saúde da APS do município de Divinópolis, Minas Gerais. Dados foram coletados por meio do Primary Care Assessment Tool. O desempenho dos modelos foi estimado por meio do Índice de Atenção Primária à Saúde (IAPS geral e específico). Regressão logística politômica univariada foi conduzida para comparação do desempenho dos modelos da APS de acordo com os atributos. A força da associação foi estimada por meio do odds ratio com intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados: Três gestores e 81 profissionais de saúde participaram do estudo. A ESF obteve melhor avaliação do que o modelo tradicional com relação ao IAPS geral e aos atributos vínculo, elenco de serviços, enfoque familiar e formação profissional. Conclusão: A ESF obteve escores superiores aos do modelo tradicional, entretanto ainda não atingiu o seu desempenho esperado. Esse cenário aponta para a necessidade de ampliação da cobertura da ESF e para a melhoria da qualidade das unidades de ESF existentes no Brasil.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The Family Health Strategy (FHS) should be first-contact care in the Brazilian Health System. However, Primary Health Care (PHC) still encompasses two models: the FHS and the traditional health care facilities. The expansion of the FHS has been slow and heterogeneous in many cities, rendering a comparative evaluation of key quality-related elements of PHC models crucial. Objective: To compare the performance of PHC models as perceived by health professionals. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving managers and health professionals from PHC of a medium-size city in South-eastern Brazil. Data were collected by applying the Primary Care Assessment Tool. The performance was estimated through primary health care indexes (general and partial PHCI by attributes). Univariate polytomous logistic regression was performed to compare care model performances according to their attributes. Strength of association was estimated by odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Results: Three managers and 81 health professionals participated in the study. The FHS had a better index rating than the traditional care model for general PHCI and for the attributes longitudinality, comprehensiveness, family focus and professional level. Conclusion: Although the FHS attained higher scores compared to the traditional model, it has not yet achieved the performance expected. This scenario points to the need for increased FHS cover and quality improvements at the existing units.