RESUMO Objetivos Revisar a literatura científica sobre as principais técnicas usadas para gerar o potencial evocado miogênico vestibular (VEMP) e suas aplicações clínicas. Estratégia de pesquisa Os artigos que descrevem os métodos de registro e as aplicações do VEMP foram localizados nas bases de dados PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, LILACS e SciELO. O levantamento realizado limitou-se aos artigos publicados nos idiomas Inglês, Português e Espanhol, entre janeiro de 2012 e maio de 2018. Critérios de seleção Artigos sobre os aspectos técnicos para a realização do VEMP ocular, cervical ou do músculo sóleo, com estimulação auditiva ou galvânica e artigos sobre as aplicações clínicas do VEMP foram incluídos; artigos repetidos nas bases de dados, artigos de revisão de literatura, relato de casos, cartas e editoriais foram excluídos. Resultados A estratégia de busca resultou na seleção de 28 artigos. Os estudos evidenciaram três métodos de registro do VEMP: cervical, ocular e no músculo sóleo. As aplicações clínicas do VEMP incluíram doença de Ménière, neurite vestibular, síndrome da deiscência do canal semicircular superior, doença de Parkinson, lesões centrais isquêmicas e mielopatias motoras. Conclusão Independentemente da técnica de registro, o VEMP mostrou-se útil como ferramenta complementar para o diagnóstico de doenças vestibulares periféricas e centrais.

ABSTRACT Purpose To review the scientific literature on the main techniques used to generate vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) and its clinical applications. Research strategy A search for articles describing VEMP recording methods and applications was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, LILACS and SciELO databases. The search was limited to articles published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish between January 2012 and May 2018. Selection criteria Articles addressing the technical aspects for performing ocular, cervical or soleus VEMP with auditory or galvanic stimulation and articles on the clinical applications of VEMP were included in this review, whereas articles repeated in the databases, literature reviews, case reports, letters, and editorials were excluded. Results The search strategy resulted in the selection of 28 articles. The studies evidenced three methods of VEMP recording: responses from the cervical, ocular and soleus muscle. Clinical applications of VEMP included Meniere’s disease, vestibular neuritis, superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome, Parkinson's disease, central ischemic lesions, and motor myelopathies. Conclusion Regardless of the recording technique, VEMP has proved to be useful as a complementary tool for the diagnosis of peripheral and central vestibular diseases.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of low bone mass is 3 times higher in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) and using antiretrovirals than in the HIV-unaffected population. Changes in vitamin D levels is one of the factors associated with decreased bone mass. The objective of this study is to evaluate the low bone mass and altered vitamin D levels in PLWH who have not been exposed to antiretrovirals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with HIV-infected individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 years immediately prior to the start of antiretroviral therapy in a specialized reference center focusing on infectious and parasitic diseases. Results of clinical examination (patient’s weight, height, blood pressure, and clinical history), laboratory tests, and X-ray absorptiometry, were collected. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included, with a mean age of 34 years. Nine (16.7%) patients presented with low bone mass and 4 (7.1%) patients showed low total femur BMD. Analysis revealed that 23.3% and 36.7% of the patients had deficient and insufficient levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study population presented with compromised bone health and with low bone mineral density and 25-(OH)-vitamin D levels.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Mortality among HIV patients is 3-15 times higher than that among the general population. Currently, most deaths are due to non-infectious diseases. Chronic inflammation and adverse events due to antiretroviral therapy play crucial roles in increasing cardiovascular risk (CVR). METHODS: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and inflammatory biomarkers (D-dimer, ADAMTS13, GDF-15, sICAM-1, MPO, myoglobin, NGAL, SAA, sVCAM-1, and p-selectin) among naïve patients. RESULTS: Sixty-seven participants were included: median age, 32 years; males, 82.1%; non-white, 61.1%; higher education level, 62.7%; and exposed to HIV through sexual relationship (men who have sex with men), 68.7%. The median viral load and LTCD4+ value were 42,033 copies/mL and 426 cells/mm³. The prevalence of arterial hypertension was 16.4%; those of diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were 3% and 70.1%, respectively. The CIMT was 494.08 (± 96.84mm). The mean vascular age was 33.2 ± 18.9 years, one year longer than the chronological age, without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS The majority of participants had a low CVR (94%). After reclassification, considering the CIMT percentiles, 13 (19.4%) patients had medium/ high CVR, while 54 (80.6%) patients had low CVR. The difference between the proportions of CVR when considering the CIMT and its corresponding percentile was statistically relevant. Body mass index was the only predictor of higher CVR (p = 0.03). No biomarker was found to predict CVR. People living with HIV have a high prevalence of dyslipidemia before ARV therapy.