ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on healthcare costs remains unclear in the literature. OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of MetS on primary healthcare costs of adults, as well as to identify the impact of physical activity and other covariates on this phenomenon. DESIGN AND SETTING: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Presidente Prudente, State of São Paulo/Brazil, in 2016. METHODS: The sample comprised 159 older adults (> 50 years) of both sexes (110 women) who were identified from their medical records in the Brazilian National Health Service. Healthcare costs (US$) were assessed through medical records and divided into medical consultations, medications, laboratory tests, and total costs. MetS was assessed using medical records. RESULTS: The Brazilian National Health Service spent more on consultations (US$ 22.75 versus US$ 19.39; + 17.3%) and medication (US$ 19.65 versus US$ 8.32; + 136.1%) among adults with MetS than among those without MetS, but the costs for laboratory tests were similar (P = 0.343). Total costs were 53.9% higher in adults with MetS than in those without the diagnosis of the disease (P = 0.001). Regarding total costs, there was an increase of US$ 38.97 when five components of MetS were present (P = 0.015), representing an increase of approximately 700%, even after adjusting for sex, age, and physical activity. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the presence of the MetS is responsible for increasing primary care costs among older adults, especially in those related to medicines. BACKGROUND (MetS literature OBJECTIVES phenomenon SETTING crosssectional cross sectional Prudente PauloBrazil Paulo Brazil Paulo/Brazil 2016 METHODS 15 > ( 5 years 110 (11 women US medications RESULTS (US 2275 22 75 22.7 19.39 1939 19 39 17.3% 173 17 3 1965 65 19.6 8.32 832 8 32 136.1% 1361 136 1 P 0.343. 0343 0.343 . 0 343 0.343) 539 53 9 53.9 0.001. 0001 0.001 001 0.001) 3897 38 97 38.9 0.015, 0015 0.015 , 015 0.015) 700 700% sex age CONCLUSION conclusion medicines 201 11 (1 227 2 7 22. 19.3 193 17.3 196 6 19. 8.3 83 136.1 13 034 0.34 34 53. 000 0.00 00 389 38. 0.01 01 70 20 17. 8. 136. 03 0.3 0.0 0.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Studies have indicated a substantial increase in alcohol consumption among university students. Specifically, abusive consumption among health students can adversely affect their academic training and future professional practice. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze alcohol consumption habits among healthcare students and investigate the associations between alcohol consumption patterns and sociodemographic and academic variables. DESIGN AND SETTING: We performed this cross-sectional study at a private university located in the city of Salvador, Bahia. METHODS: We conducted this study with 770 students using a printed, self-administered, anonymous questionnaire containing sociodemographic and academic performance data, as well as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Rutgers Alcohol Problems Inventory (RAPI). RESULTS: We observed that the prevalence of alcohol consumption (65.1%) and binge drinking (57.5%) among Brazilian healthcare students was high, with more frequent consumption among men (73.1%), in medicine (83.0%) and veterinary medicine (79.1%) programs and in semesters beyond the fourth (71.7%). We found associations between drinking habits and sex (P = 0.016), religion (P < 0.000), course (P < 0.000) and semester (P = 0.047). Binge drinking was associated with attending academic activities without getting any sleep (P < 0.000), missing classes due to hangovers (P < 0.000), encountering issues with the institution’s administration (P = 0.028), and failing to complete activities due to alcohol consumption (P < 0.000). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking among Brazilian healthcare students was high and associated with sex, religion, course, academic semester, risky behaviors, and negative academic impacts. BACKGROUND Specifically practice OBJECTIVE variables SETTING crosssectional cross sectional Salvador Bahia METHODS 77 printed selfadministered, selfadministered self administered, administered self-administered data AUDIT (AUDIT RAPI. RAPI . (RAPI) RESULTS 65.1% 651 65 1 (65.1% 57.5% 575 57 5 (57.5% 73.1%, 731 73.1% , 73 (73.1%) 83.0% 830 83 0 (83.0% 79.1% 791 79 (79.1% 71.7%. 717 71.7% 71 7 (71.7%) P 0.016, 0016 0.016 016 0.016) 0.000, 0000 0.000 000 0.047. 0047 0.047 047 0.047) institutions institution s 0.028, 0028 0.028 028 0.028) 0.000. CONCLUSION behaviors impacts (RAPI 65.1 6 (65.1 57.5 (57.5 73.1 (73.1% 83.0 8 (83.0 79.1 (79.1 71.7 (71.7% 001 0.01 01 0.00 00 004 0.04 04 002 0.02 02 65. (65. 57. (57. 73. (73.1 83. (83. 79. (79. 71. (71.7 0.0 (65 (57 (73. (83 (79 (71. 0. (6 (5 (73 (8 (7 (71 (

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Accelerated development of atherosclerosis has been observed in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are vascular enzymes that play important roles in vascular development and angiogenesis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Ang-2 and VEGF and atherosclerosis in RTRs. DESIGN AND SETTING: This study was conducted at Ankara City Hospital, Turkey. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 36 (37.5%) female and 60 (62.5%) male RTRs. All findings were compared with those of 70 healthy controls. Ultrasonographic measurements of the carotid artery intima-media thickness (CA-IMT) and renal resistive index (RRI) were used as indicators of atherosclerosis. RESULTS: Log10 Ang-2, log10 VEGF, CA-IMT, and RRI levels were significantly higher in patients than in healthy controls. No significant differences were detected in CA-IMT and RRI between those with log10 Ang-2 ≥ 3.53 pg/mL and those with < 3.53 pg/mL. No significant differences were detected in CA-IMT and RRI between those with log10 VEGF ≥ 1.98 pg/mL and those with < 1.98 pg/mL. No correlation was detected between log10 Ang-2 and log10 VEGF, CA-IMT, or RRI. CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum angiogenic growth factor levels and increased atherosclerosis development were detected in RTRs compared to healthy individuals. No relationship was observed between angiogenic growth factors and atherosclerosis. This may be due to the decreased synthesis and effect of angiogenic growth factor receptors synthesized from atherosclerotic plaques due to atherosclerosis, which improves after renal transplantation. BACKGROUND . (RTRs) Angiopoietin2 Angiopoietin 2 Angiopoietin- Ang2 Ang (Ang-2 (VEGF angiogenesis OBJECTIVE Ang- SETTING Hospital Turkey METHODS crosssectional cross sectional 3 37.5% 375 37 5 (37.5% 6 62.5% 625 62 (62.5% 7 controls intimamedia intima media CAIMT CA IMT (CA-IMT (RRI RESULTS Log Log1 Ang2, 2, log log1 CAIMT, IMT, 353 53 3.5 pgmL pg mL 198 1 98 1.9 CONCLUSIONS individuals transplantation (RTRs (Ang- 37.5 (37.5 62.5 (62.5 35 3. 19 9 1. (Ang 37. (37. 62. (62. (37 (62 (3 (6 (

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Vaccination hesitation spans from historical diseases such as smallpox to the current challenges with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In Brazil, vaccination faces obstacles related to trust and convenience. Despite the National Immunization Program, fear of adverse effects as well as misinformation challenge confidence in vaccines, and anti-vaccine movements have gained momentum. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated childhood vaccine refusal, including COVID-19 vaccines, by comparing the reasons for and sociodemographic differences between vaccinated individuals and those who hesitated or refused immunization. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study was conducted in São Paulo, Brazil, using questionnaires administered during pediatric consultations between January and April 2023. METHODS: This study investigated vaccine hesitancy and the attitudes of parents and caregivers of children (0–12 years) towards vaccines. The questionnaire was administered during routine pediatric consultations at three different locations, each with 50 participants for a total of 150 participants, to avoid selection bias. RESULTS: Marked differences were evident among caregivers in terms of sex, race, income, education, and religion, which influenced their attitudes toward vaccination. There was an increase in the refusal of seasonal vaccinations and a significant distrust of the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine (52%), with concerns about its side effects. Although most patients did not stop vaccination, significant delays occurred, especially in the clinical setting (58%). CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes the importance of childhood health decisions, indicating the need to build trust in vaccines, tailor health policies, and investigate the causes of distrust to promote childhood immunizations. BACKGROUND COVID19. COVID19 COVID 19 . (COVID-19) Brazil convenience Program vaccines antivaccine anti momentum OBJECTIVES COVID-1 immunization SETTING crosssectional cross sectional Paulo 2023 METHODS 0–12 012 0 12 (0–1 years locations 5 15 bias RESULTS sex race income education religion 52%, 52 52% , (52%) occurred 58%. 58 58% (58%) CONCLUSIONS decisions policies immunizations COVID1 1 (COVID-19 COVID- 202 0–1 01 (0– (52% (58% (COVID-1 20 0– (0 (52 (58 (COVID- 2 ( (5 (COVID