Quality of life is an indicator of how well one perceives that he/she is functioning physically and mentally. The aim of this paper is to determine the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of artisanal fisherwomen/shellfish gatherers from the Saubara municipality in Bahia, Brazil in comparison to the general population. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 209 artisanal fisherwomen selected at random. The HRQOL questionnaire, known as the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey version 1 (SF-36v01), was also used, having been translated and verified cross-culturally for the Brazilian population. Sociodemographic, lifestyle and comorbidity information was also collected. Chronic diseases and indicators of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were self-reported. The study population consisted primarily of individuals between 30 and 45 years of age (78%), of self-classified races black or brown (96.2%), with no more than an elementary school education (77%) and married (64.6%). In all the SF-36v01 dimensions, the values in the sample were lower than in the general population of Brazil, which was used as the reference population. In the “Physical Health” domain (Physical Functioning; Physical Role Limitations; Bodily Pain; General Health Perception) a tendency toward a lower health-related quality of life was observed among those who were older, had a lower education level, and had a prevalence of MSDs, hypertension or arthritis. The interference of health conditions linked to the fisherwomen’s work activities may contribute to lower HRQOL in all analyzed aspects, in comparison to the general population. In light of these findings, public health policies must consider these informal workers who contribute greatly to Brazil’s economy and food system.

Lower back musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are an important public health problem and the leading cause of disability worldwide, but with yet unknown prevalence among shellfish gatherers. To investigate the prevalence and work-related factors associated with lower back MSD in a population of female shellfish gatherers, an epidemiological cross-sectional study was carried out in Saubara, Bahia-Brazil, in 2013. The Brazilian version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), in addition to a questionnaire containing the physical demands adapted to the artisanal work, were applied to a random sample of 209 female shellfish gatherers. The prevalence of lower back MSD was 72.7%. Using multivariate logistic regression, the shellfish gatherers who had worked for more than 26 years in the activity showed a prevalence of 1.22 (95% CI: 1.04–1.44) times higher compared to those unexposed. Lower back MSD was 1.24 (95% CI: 1.08–1.42) times higher among those more exposed to work sitting with trunk flexion. Those performed manual handling and muscle force with the arms had a prevalence ratio of 1.18 (95% CI: 1.01–1.39). These results show the need for greater awareness of health and social welfare factors impacting workers in small-scale fisheries and will promote the elaboration of health care policies for this occupational class.

Resumo O presente artigo tem como objetivo identificar os fatores associados com os distúrbios musculoesqueléticos (DME) em pescoço/ombro e membros superiores distais em pescadoras artesanais/marisqueiras em Saubara, Bahia, Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo de corte transversal realizado com 209 pescadoras artesanais/marisqueiras. Foram utilizados para este estudo a versão brasileira do questionário de conteúdo do trabalho e do questionário nórdico e um questionário das demandas físicas para o trabalho. As análises multivariadas foram feitas de acordo com os principais fatores de risco para DME. Algumas demandas físicas agrupadas, nas etapas da coleta dos mariscos e na cata, se associaram, respectivamente, com DME em pescoço ou ombro [Razão de Prevalência - RP: 1,28 (IC95%: 1,09-1,49)] e DME em membros superiores distais [RP: 1,38 (IC95%: 1,05-1,83)], no modelo final ajustado. As RP ajustadas para DME em membros superiores distais foram de 1,26 (IC95%: 1,07-1,47), de acordo com as horas diárias dedicadas ao trabalho como marisqueira, e 0,74 (IC95%: 0,57-0,96) de acordo com o desenvolvimento de outro trabalho atualmente. O modo em que é desenvolvido o trabalho da marisqueira é importante para ocorrência dos DME.

A leucemia de células plasmocitárias (LCP) é uma neoplasia hematológica rara, de caráter agressivo, ainda sem consenso quanto ao melhor esquema terapêutico e prognóstico da doença. Alguns estudos a consideram como uma variante do mieloma múltiplo. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um relato de caso e desenvolver uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre os fatores prognósticos relacionados a essa enfermidade. Esta revisão sistemática seguiu o protocolo PRISMA, utilizou o PubMED como base de dados, buscando estudos que avaliassem fatores prognósticos da LCP. Os estudos selecionados foram posteriormente avaliados quanto a sua qualidade pelo protocolo STROBE. A primeira busca identificou 260 artigos. Após aplicado critério de exclusão, dez foram selecionados. Destes, oito avaliaram fatores prognósticos clínicos e laboratoriais; cinco avaliaram, além disso, fatores citogenéticos; e um avaliou apenas a idade como fator prognóstico. A qualidade dos estudos, avaliada pelo protocolo STROBE, apresentou uma classificação média de 79,1%. Nos estudos analisados, idade > 65 ou > 60 anos, performance status ECOG > 2, hipercalcemia, aumento de lactato desidrogenase (LDH), aumento da creatinina, plaquetopenia e hipoalbuminemia foram encontrados como preditores de prognóstico ruim. Foram também demonstradas alterações citogenéticas consideradas de alto risco, como as translocações e deleções de genes. Diversas condições clínicas, laboratoriais e citogenéticas parecem estar associadas ao pior prognóstico na LCP. O conhecimento desses fatores pode interferir na prática clínica. Entretanto, ainda são necessários estudos mais robustos, multicêntricos e com maior número amostral para aprofundar o conhecimento sobre essa patologia.

Lower back musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are an important public health problem and the leading cause of disability worldwide, but with prevalence yet unknown among shellfish gatherers. To investigate the prevalence and work-related factors associated with lower back MSD in a population of female shellfish gatherers, an epidemiological cross-sectional study was carried out in Saubara, Bahia – Brazil, in 2013. The Brazilian version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), in addition to a questionnaire containing the physical demands adapted to the artisanal work, were applied to a random sample of 209 female shellfish gatherers. The prevalence of lower back MSD was 72.7%. Using multivariate logistic regression, the shellfish gatherers who had worked for more than 26 years in the activity showed a prevalence of 1.22 (95% CI: 1.04-1.44) times higher compared to those unexposed. Lower back MSD was 1.24 (95%CI: 1.08-1.42) times higher among those more exposed to work sitting with trunk flexion. Those performed manual handling and muscle force with the arms had a prevalence ratio of 1.18 (95%CI: 1.01-1.39). These results show the need for greater awareness of health and social welfare factors impacting workers in small-scale fisheries and will promote the elaboration of health care policies for this occupational class.