São Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicina
-
Wilson's disease (WD) may present with different manifestations: from an asymptomatic state to liver cirrhosis. Here, we aimed to evaluate clinical presentations and laboratory findings and prognoses among WD cases. ⋯ The presentation, symptoms and signs of our cases were similar to those in previously reported series, except for the high proportion of fulminant WD cases. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between zinc levels and development of a fulminant course and between iron status and WD.
-
The present study aimed to evaluate female sexual function among young undergraduate women. ⋯ Sexual dysfunction was identified in at least a quarter of these young undergraduate women and it was not associated with gynecological problems, menstrual cycles, dysmenorrhea, contraceptive use or physical activity.
-
Case Reports
Pegylated interferon for treating severe recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in a child: case report.
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is the most common laryngeal tumor. During childhood, it may present in extremely severe forms defined by the need for frequent surgical procedures to relieve respiratory distress and/or involvement of extralaryngeal sites such as lung involvement. Adjuvant therapies are indicated in these cases and interferon is one of the options. Pegylated interferon is more effective than conventional alpha interferon and, given its reported results in relation to treating hepatitis C over the past decade, we hypothesized that this might be more effective than conventional interferon also for treating respiratory papillomatosis. Use of a treatment strategy that eliminates the need for general anesthesia is particularly appealing, yet obtaining approval for use of medications that are not currently used for this purpose is challenging. ⋯ Pegylated interferon may be a good option for diminishing the need for surgical intervention in severe cases of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.
-
Comparative Study
Pneumo-phono-articulatory coordination assessment in dysarthria cases: a cross-sectional study.
Pneumo-phono-articulatory coordination is often impaired in dysarthric patients. Because all speech is produced upon exhalation, adequate respiratory support and coordination are essential for communication. Nevertheless, studies investigating respiratory parameters for speech are scarce. The objectives of the present study were to analyze and compare the numbers of words and syllables (universal measurement) per exhalation among healthy and dysarthric speakers, in different speech tasks. ⋯ The mean numbers of words and syllables per exhalation among dysarthric subjects did not vary according to the speech task used but they clearly showed differences between dysarthric patients and normal healthy subjects. The study also made it possible to obtain preliminary data on the average numbers of words and syllables per expiration produced by healthy individuals during their speech production.
-
Exposure to particulate matter (PM) is associated with hospitalizations due to respiratory diseases among children. ⋯ This study showed the impact of coarse-fraction exposure on hospital admissions among children due to respiratory diseases.