Rafael Stelmach | Universidade de São Paulo (original) (raw)

Papers by Rafael Stelmach

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, 2015

Smoking prevalence is frequently estimated on the basis of self-reported smoking status. That can... more Smoking prevalence is frequently estimated on the basis of self-reported smoking status. That can lead to an underestimation of smoking rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference between selfreported smoking status and that determined through the use of objective measures of smoking at a pulmonary outpatient clinic. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 144 individuals: 51 asthma patients, 53 COPD patients, 20 current smokers, and 20 never-smokers. Smoking status was determined on the basis of selfreports obtained in interviews, as well as through tests of exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) and urinary cotinine. Results: All of the asthma patients and COPD patients declared they were not current smokers. In the COPD and asthma patients, the median urinary cotinine concentration was 167 ng/mL (range, 2-5,348 ng/mL) and 47 ng/ mL (range, 5-2,735 ng/mL), respectively (p < 0.0001), whereas the median eCO level was 8 ppm (range, 0-31 ppm) and 5 ppm (range, 2-45 ppm), respectively (p < 0.05). In 40 (38%) of the patients with asthma or COPD (n = 104), there was disagreement between the self-reported smoking status and that determined on the basis of the urinary cotinine concentration, a concentration > 200 ng/mL being considered indicative of current smoking. In 48 (46%) of those 104 patients, the self-reported non-smoking status was refuted by an eCO level > 6 ppm, which is also considered indicative of current smoking. In 30 (29%) of the patients with asthma or COPD, the urinary cotinine concentration and the eCO level both belied the patient claims of not being current smokers. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that high proportions of smoking pulmonary patients with lung disease falsely declare themselves to be nonsmokers. The accurate classification of smoking status is pivotal to the treatment of lung diseases. Objective measures of smoking could be helpful in improving clinical management and counseling.

Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas médicas e biológicas / Sociedade Brasileira de Biofísica ... [et al.], 2008

Little is known about airway inflammatory markers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)... more Little is known about airway inflammatory markers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objective of the present study was to identify and try to correlate pulmonary and peripheral blood inflammatory markers in COPD. In a cross-sectional study on patients with stable COPD, induced sputum and blood samples were collected for the determination of C-reactive protein, eosinophilic cationic protein, serum amyloid A protein, alpha-1 antitrypsin (alpha-1AT), and neutrophil elastase. Twenty-two patients were divided into two groups according to post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in the first second (%FEV1): group 1 (N = 12, FEV1 <40%) and group 2 (N = 10, FEV1 > or =40%). An increase in serum elastase, eosinophilic cationic protein and alpha-1AT was observed in serum markers in both groups. Cytology revealed the same total number of cells in groups 1 and 2. There was a significantly higher number of neutrophils in group 1 compared to group 2 (P < 0.05). No ...

The European respiratory journal, 2014

Both oxygen therapy and bronchodilators reduce exertional breathlessness and improve exercise tol... more Both oxygen therapy and bronchodilators reduce exertional breathlessness and improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However their relative effectiveness and the value of their combined use on exercise performance has not been assessed. The effects of 5 mg of salbutamol plus 500 mg ipratropium bromide nebulisation followed by a 6-min walking test while breathing O 2 were studied in a randomised, single-blind, placebo controlled, crossover trial in 28 patients with severe or very severe COPD, breathless on exertion and with oxygen saturation p89% at rest or on exercise. Bronchodilator reversibility was minimal. The 6-min walking distance increased from 356 (128) m to 377 (117) m after the bronchodilator (Po0.05), to 406 (109) m after supplementary oxygen but without bronchodilators (P 0.011 versus bronchodilators/air and 0.001 versus placebo/air), and to 430 (109) m after the combination of oxygen and the bronchodilators (Po0.0001 versus placebo/air and bronchodilators/air; P ¼ 0.014 versus placebo/oxygen). End-exercise dyspnea only fell significantly when oxygen and bronchodilator were combined. In severe or very severe COPD patients with relatively fixed airway obstruction bronchodilators enhance exercise performance obtained with oxygen. Clinically relevant improvement is possible when therapies with a different mechanism of action are combined.

Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia : publicaça̋o oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisilogia

To report the results of a workshop regarding asthma management programs and centers (AMPCs) in B... more To report the results of a workshop regarding asthma management programs and centers (AMPCs) in Brazil, so that they can be used as a tool for the improvement and advancement of current and future AMPCs. The workshop consisted of five presentations and the corresponding group discussions. The working groups discussed the following themes: implementation of asthma management strategies; human resources needed for AMPCs; financial resources needed for AMPCs; and operational maintenance of AMPCs. The workshop involved 39 participants, from all regions of the country, representing associations of asthma patients (n = 3), universities (n = 7), and AMPCs (n = 29). We found a direct relationship between a lack of planning and the failure of AMPCs. Based on the experiences reported during the workshop, the common assumptions about AMPCs in Brazil were the importance of raising awareness of managers; greater community participation; interdependence between primary care and specialized care; ...

Due to the myriad substances released during the burning of tobacco, smoking directly affects the... more Due to the myriad substances released during the burning of tobacco, smoking directly affects the airways, causing an intense inflammatory reaction. The constant aggression against the respiratory tract due to the daily, cumulative exposure to cigarette smoke causes bronchial hypersecretion and can trigger obstructive diseases, chief among which is COPD. (1,2) The relationship between smoking and asthma was not studied

Smoking causes an intense inflammatory reaction in the airways and is associated with worse clini... more Smoking causes an intense inflammatory reaction in the airways and is associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with asthma. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of active and passive smoking in a population of patients with asthma. The sample of asthma patients (n = 100) consisted of 47 nonsmokers, 33 former smokers, 17 passive smokers

Jornal De Pneumologia, 2003

A doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) é um problema de saúde pública. O tabagismo é a princ... more A doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) é um problema de saúde pública. O tabagismo é a principal causa, porém não a única. Poluição ambiental, exposição a químicos, fumaça inalada, tabagismo passivo, infecções virais e bacterianas também são considerados fatores de risco importantes. Sexo e peso correlacionam-se com a gravidade da doença. Co-morbidades são freqüentes. Objetivo: Caracterizar uma população de pacientes com DPOC acompanhados de forma ambulatorial em um serviço terciário de saúde. Material e métodos: Foram aplicados questionários padronizados em pacientes com DPOC. Os dados coletados incluíram: sexo, idade, peso, índice de massa corpórea (IMC), VEF 1 e uso de oxigênio domiciliar, tabagismo, contato com fumaça de lenha, antecedentes de tuberculose pulmonar e moléstias associadas. Resultados: Dos 70 pacientes incluídos, 70% eram homens. A média de idade foi de 64 ± 10 anos; de peso, 63 ± 16kg e o IMC médio, de 22 ± 5kg/m². O VEF 1 médio do grupo foi 35 ± 14% e 45,7% eram dependentes de oxigênio. Nove (12,8%) nunca fumaram, 78,8% eram ex-tabagistas, com tempo médio de tabagismo de 38 ± 11 anos/maço e nove haviam fumado cigarro de palha. Dezoito (25,7%) tiveram exposição à fumaça de lenha. Onze (15,7%) relataram tuberculose; 5,7% apresentaram sinais e sintomas de asma; 2,8%, bronquiectasias; 11,4%, diabetes melito; 51,4%, hipertensão arterial e 20%, cor pulmonale. Conclusão: Outras etiologias possíveis de DPOC devem ser investigadas. A fumaça inalada associada a infecções pulmonares pregressas podem ser determinantes na injúria pulmonar. Homens com menor massa corpórea representam essa população com DPOC grave. Hipertensão sistêmica e cor pulmonale são achados freqüentes. (J Pneumol 2003;29(2):64-8) Profile of a Brazilian population with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a public health problem. Tobacco smoking is the major cause, but not the only one. Air pollution, exposure to chemical compounds, environmental smoke exposure, and environmental tobacco smoke are among other contributing causes; viral and bacterial infection are risk factors too. Gender and weight loss are associated to the severity of the disease. Co-morbidity is frequent. Objective: To characterize a population of COPD outpatients followed at a tertiary medical service. Methods: Questionnaires were applied to patients with COPD. The data included gender, age, weight, body mass index (BMI), oxygen delivery users, and FEV 1 , exposure to tobacco smoke, exposure to wood smoke, tuberculosis antecedent and co-morbid diseases. Results: Of the 70 patients enrolled in the study, 70% (49) were male with an average age of 64 ± 10 years, an average weight of 63 ± 16 kg and an average BMI of 22 ± 5 kg/m 2 . 45,7% were oxygen dependent and the FEV 1 average was 35 ± 14%. Nine (12.8%) patients never smoked, while 78.8% had quit tobacco smoking, (38 ± 11 pack/years was the average). Nine (12.8%) smoked straw cigarettes. Eighteen (25.7%) had environmental exposure to wood smoke. Eleven (15.7%) patients had tuberculosis, 5.7% complained of asthma symptoms, 2.8% had bronchiectasis, 11.4% diabetes mellitus, 51.4% hypertension, and 20% Cor pulmonale. Conclusion: Other possible COPD etiologies must be investigated. Determinants for the pulmonary injury could be environmental smoke exposure associated to former infections. Men with low BMI are typically representative of this severe patient population. Hypertension and Cor Pulmonale are frequent co-morbidity factors.

Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia : publicaça̋o oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisilogia

To evaluate the presence and severity of symptoms of anxiety and depression in individuals with a... more To evaluate the presence and severity of symptoms of anxiety and depression in individuals with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In order to evaluate symptoms of anxiety and depression, specific instruments of quantification (the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory, respectively) were administered to patients at an outpatient clinic for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The population comprised 189 randomly and prospectively selected patients that were divided into three study groups (each with a different therapeutic objective): 40 patients with controlled asthma, 100 patients with uncontrolled asthma, and 49 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Included among the variables studied, as part of the methodology, were symptoms of anxiety and depression. The data obtained were compared taking into consideration demographic and functional aspects, as well as the severity of the symptoms of anxie...

International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 2014

Aging modifies immune response and respiratory physiology. Few studies evaluate the effect of age... more Aging modifies immune response and respiratory physiology. Few studies evaluate the effect of age on asthma. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether age is associated with uncontrolled symptoms and hospital admissions due to asthma in a setting where patients were receiving proper treatment. We enrolled 401 patients with uncontrolled asthma who were inhaled corticosteroid-naive. The follow-up period was 1 year. They received medications for asthma, performed spirometry, a symptoms questionnaire, and all emergency room visits and hospital admissions due to asthma were reported. The primary end point was hospital admission during the follow-up period. Baseline data demonstrated that subjects &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;55 years of age had a later onset of asthma and a longer duration of symptoms. Adjusted logistic regression models demonstrated that older age at enrollment did not predict asthma control in the follow-up: hospital admission due to asthma [odds ratio (OR) 1.7 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6-4.7], symptoms score (OR 0.6 and 95% CI 0.3-1.1) and emergency room visits due to asthma (OR 0.9 and 95% CI 0.6-1.3). Older age was associated with worse lung function (OR 1.8 and 95% CI 1.1-3.3). This study allows us to conclude that older age is associated with a later onset of asthma and a longer duration of symptoms. Age does not predict hospital admissions or poor control of asthma symptoms if proper treatment is offered. It does, however, predict worse lung function.

Jornal Brasileiro De Pneumologia, 2005

Objective: To validate, for use in asthma prevalence studies, the asthma module of the standardiz... more Objective: To validate, for use in asthma prevalence studies, the asthma module of the standardized written questionnaire developed for use in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, establishing the score and cut-off point that would identify asthmatic adults. Methods: We interviewed 78 adult outpatients (40 adult asthmatics and 38 age-matched and gender-matched controls) using the asthma module of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire, which is composed of questions related to eight dichotomous features of asthma. We determined the score and cut-off point required to accurately identify asthmatic adults, calculating sensitivity, specificity and Youden index. The method was validated against the clinical and functional diagnosis of asthma. The reproducibility of individual questions was evaluated by conducting second interviews with half of the patients some weeks later. Results: The score ranged from 0 to 14 points. A score = 5 allowed patients with asthma to be distinguished from those without (sensitivity = 93%; specificity = 100%; Youden index = 0.93). Most questions presented satisfactory reproducibility in the second interviews conducted after 48.2 ± 11.1 days (kappa and weighted kappa ranging from 0.43 to 1.00 for individual questions). Conclusion: For studies of adult asthma prevalence, the determination/ validation of a cut-off point allows an alternative interpretation of the information gathered through the application of the asthma module of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, taking into account the totality of the data rather than responses to individual questions.

Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia : publicaça̋o oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisilogia

Fluticasone and formoterol are effective in the treatment of asthma. When a corticosteroid alone ... more Fluticasone and formoterol are effective in the treatment of asthma. When a corticosteroid alone fails to control asthma, combination therapy is the treatment of choice. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of formulations containing budesonide/formoterol (BUD/FOR), fluticasone alone (FLU), and the single-capsule combination of fluticasone/formoterol (FLU/FOR) on lung function in patients with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma. This was a randomized, multicenter, open phase III trial conducted in Brazil. The primary efficacy analysis was the assessment of non-inferiority between FLU/FOR and BUD/FOR combinations regarding FEV1 (in L) at the final visit. The secondary analyses were PEF, level of asthma control, serum cortisol levels, frequency of adverse events, adherence to treatment, and appropriate inhaler use. We randomized 243 patients to three groups: FLU/FOR (n = 79), BUD/FOR (n = 83), and FLU (n = 81). In terms of the mean FEV1 after 12 weeks of ...

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, 2014

Objective: To evaluate the ability of COPD patients to perform activities of daily living (ADL); ... more Objective: To evaluate the ability of COPD patients to perform activities of daily living (ADL); to identify barriers that prevent these individuals from performing ADL; and to correlate those barriers with dyspnea severity, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and an ADL limitation score. Methods: In COPD patients and healthy, age-matched controls, the number of steps, the distance walked, and walking time were recorded with a triaxial accelerometer, for seven consecutive days. A questionnaire regarding perceived barriers and the London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL) scale were used in order to identify the factors that prevent the performance of ADL. The severity of dyspnea was assessed with two scales, whereas submaximal exercise capacity was determined on the basis of the 6MWT. Results: We evaluated 40 COPD patients and 40 controls. In comparison with the control values, the mean walk time was significantly shorter for COPD patients (68.5 ± 25.8 min/day vs. 105.2 ± 49.4 min/day; p < 0.001), as was the distance walked (3.9 ± 1.9 km/day vs. 6.4 ± 3.2 km/day; p < 0.001). The COPD patients also walked fewer steps/day. The most common self-reported barriers to performing ADL were lack of infrastructure, social influences, and lack of willpower. The 6MWT distance correlated with the results obtained with the accelerometer but not with the LCADL scale results. Conclusions: Patients with COPD are less active than are healthy adults of a comparable age. Physical inactivity and the barriers to performing ADL have immediate implications for clinical practice, calling for early intervention measures.

Jornal Brasileiro De Pneumologia, 2010

Objetivo: Avaliar a aderência ao tratamento e a técnica de utilização de dispositivos inalatórios... more Objetivo: Avaliar a aderência ao tratamento e a técnica de utilização de dispositivos inalatórios em pacientes com asma após atenção farmacêutica complementar. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo controlado com dois grupos paralelos: grupo estudo e grupo controle. Foram selecionados 60 asmáticos persistentes, utilizando regularmente inaladores dosimetrados (IDs), inaladores de pó seco (IPS) ou ambos. Os pacientes foram avaliados em três visitas durante 60 dias. As instruções foram fornecidas em todas as visitas aos pacientes do grupo estudo e apenas na primeira visita do grupo controle. Os pacientes que utilizaram < 80% ou > 120% do total de doses prescritas foram classificados como não aderentes. A manobra inalatória foi quantificada por escores, e uma técnica satisfatória foi definida por uma pontuação superior a 7 (máximo, 9) para o uso de ID e superior a 4 (máximo, 5) para o uso de IPS. Resultados: Concluíram o estudo 28 pacientes no grupo estudo e 27 no grupo controle, dos quais 18 (64,3%) e 20 (74,7%), respectivamente, foram classificados como aderentes. Houve um aumento nas medianas dos escores do uso de ID entre a primeira e a terceira visitas tanto no grupo estudo quanto no grupo controle (de 3 [variação, 0-5] para 8 [variação, 8-9]; p < 0,001; e de 5 [variação, 2-6] para 7 [variação, 6-8]), assim como nas medianas dos escores do uso de DPS (de 3 [variação, 2-4] para 5 [variação, 4-5]; e de 3 [variação, 2-4] para 5 [variação, 4-5]). Conclusões: A orientação fornecida pelo farmacêutico ao paciente foi importante para auxiliar na adequada realização da técnica inalatória, principalmente quanto ao uso de IDs. Descritores: Asma; Assistência farmacêutica; Administração por inalação; Inaladores dosimetrados; Adesão ao medicamento.

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, 2007

Objective: To evaluate the presence and severity of symptoms of anxiety and depression in individ... more Objective: To evaluate the presence and severity of symptoms of anxiety and depression in individuals with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: In order to evaluate symptoms of anxiety and depression, specific instruments of quantification (the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory, respectively) were administered to patients at an outpatient clinic for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The population comprised 189 randomly and prospectively selected patients that were divided into three study groups (each with a different therapeutic objective): 40 patients with controlled asthma, 100 patients with uncontrolled asthma, and 49 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Included among the variables studied, as part of the methodology, were symptoms of anxiety and depression. The data obtained were compared taking into consideration demographic and functional aspects, as well as the severity of the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results: Among the asthma patients, the prevalence of moderate or severe anxiety was significantly higher than that observed among those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p < 0.001). The uncontrolled asthma group presented significantly higher rates of depressive symptoms than did the controlled asthma group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The frequency of symptoms of anxiety and depression is greater among asthma patients than among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can make clinical control difficult.

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, 2009

O tabagismo causa intensa reação inflamatória nas vias aéreas e, em asmáticos, está associado com... more O tabagismo causa intensa reação inflamatória nas vias aéreas e, em asmáticos, está associado com piores desfechos clínicos. O objetivo desse estudo foi determinar a prevalência de tabagismo ativo e passivo em uma população de asmáticos. A amostra de pacientes com asma (n = 100) consistiu em 47 não-fumantes, 33 ex-fumantes e 3 fumantes ativos. A maioria dos pacientes tinha asma moderada ou grave. A média de CO exalado foi de 9,34 ppb nos tabagistas atuais, 4,19 ppb nos fumantes passivos e 3,98 ppb tanto nos não-fumantes quanto nos ex-fumantes. Concluímos que a prevalência da exposição à fumaça do tabaco é alta entre asmáticos.

Sao Paulo Medical Journal, 2001

Asthma has been reported as a disease of increasing prevalence. To assess the level of informatio... more Asthma has been reported as a disease of increasing prevalence. To assess the level of information and knowledge about asthma by means of a questionnaire among recent graduate physicians applying for medical residency at the Clinical Hospital of the University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil. 14 multiple-choice questions for asthma diagnosis and management. University of São Paulo Medical School (FMUSP). Recent graduate physicians applying for the medical residency program at FMUSP in 1999 (n = 448) and physicians that had completed 2 year of internal medicine residency (n = 92). We applied a questionnaire with 14 multiple-choice questions about the management of asthma based upon the Expert Panel Report 2 - Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma, NIH/NHLBI, 1997 (EPR-2). The medical residency program in Internal Medicine improved treatment skills (the ability to propose adequate therapy) when compared to medical education (a score of 57.2% versus 46.9%, P < 0.001) but not diagnosis knowledge (understanding of asthma symptoms related to medicine intake) (33.5% versus 33.3%, P = 0.94). Treatment skills were higher among physicians who received their Medical Degree (MD) from public-sponsored medical schools in comparison with those from private schools [49.7 (SE 1.17)] versus [41.8 (SE 1.63)], P < 0.001. Medical schools might consider reevaluating their programs regarding asthma in order to improve medical assistance, especially when considering the general results for residents, as they were supposed to have achieved performance after completing this in-service training.

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, 2015

Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas médicas e biológicas / Sociedade Brasileira de Biofísica ... [et al.], 2008

The European respiratory journal, 2014

Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia : publicaça̋o oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisilogia

Jornal De Pneumologia, 2003

Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia : publicaça̋o oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisilogia

International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 2014

Jornal Brasileiro De Pneumologia, 2005

Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia : publicaça̋o oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisilogia

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, 2014

Jornal Brasileiro De Pneumologia, 2010

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, 2007

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, 2009

Sao Paulo Medical Journal, 2001