São Paulo medical journal = Revista paulista de medicina
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The methodology and relevance of articles are among the keystones for promoting their citation and increasing journals' impact factors. Study designs appropriate for answering the questions and adequate sample sizes have the aim of reducing the risk of bias. This study evaluated the articles published in two Brazilian journals of orthopedics and sports medicine that were recently indexed in the ISI Web of Science, regarding study design, sample size calculation, randomization and blinding. ⋯ Publication of studies of good methodological quality other than review and experimental studies should be strongly encouraged among Brazilian journals, with the aim of increasing their citation and therefore their impact factor.
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Serological testing for CA125 has been widely used to detect endometriosis and to monitor its progression. However, controversy still exists regarding the usefulness of the plasma CA125 assay for diagnosing endometriosis. Furthermore, some authors have described superficial endometriosis as a cyclical and normal phenomenon in women's lives, and have indicated that development and progression of this disease would only occur in some women as a result of immunological changes. This study aimed to determine the frequency of endometriosis and the correlation between serum CA125 levels and the presence of endometriotic lesions in the peritoneum of asymptomatic fertile patients. ⋯ The presence of endometriotic lesions in the peritoneum of fertile patients supports the hypothesis that incidental findings of minimal or mild endometriosis may not be of clinical significance, and that the progression of the disease probably occurs as a result of immunological and genetic abnormalities. Serum CA125 levels did not show any diagnostic significance with regard to detecting the disease.
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Low bone mineral density may be a finding among children and adolescents with celiac disease, including those undergoing treatment with a gluten-free diet, but the data are contradictory. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of bone mineral density abnormalities in patients on a gluten-free diet, considering age at diagnosis and duration of dietary treatment. ⋯ Pediatric patients with celiac disease on long-term treatment are at risk of low bone mineral density. Early diagnosis and long periods of gluten-free diet are directly implicated in bone density normalization.