Metabolic syndrome in central Brazil: prevalence and correlates in the adult populationBackgroundThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has increased in developing countries in recent decades. This syndrome, a clustering of metabolic abnormalities, has been correlated to various socioeconomic and behavioral variables. We investigated the prevalence and prevalence ratios (PR) of MetS and related factors in an adult population of the Federal District (FD) of Brazil, which is located in the central region of the country.MethodsA cross-sectional, population-based study conducted in 2007, with 2130 adults (aged 18 years or older) in the FD of Brazil. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the recently harmonized criteria. The prevalence of MetS and PR were estimated for each sex according to the diagnostic components and the overall contribution of the selected correlates.ResultsThe overall prevalence of MetS was 32.0% (95%CI: 28.9-35.2), with no gender difference. The single component with the greatest contribution to the diagnosis of MetS was hypertension in men (PR 5.10, 95%CI: 3.17-8.22) and high waist circumference in women (PR 5.02, 95%CI: 3.77-6.69). The prevalence of MetS increased significantly and progressively with age and excess weight. In women, higher education was protective against MetS (PR 0.66, 95%CI: 0.49-0.89) compared to 8 or less years of education. There was no association between the prevalence of MetS and behavioral variables studied.ConclusionsThis study provides comprehensive and alarming data about the prevalence of MetS among the adult population of Brazil's FD. The results suggest that reducing education inequalities may be an important public policy goal to improve health outcomes, especially among women.http://www.dmsjournal.com/content/4/1/20/abstract Asma ainda mata 2,5 mil pessoas por ano no Brasil.22/06/2012Doenca alcanca mais de 22 milhoes de brasileiros.Na quinta-feira, 21 de Junho, foi celebrado o Dia Nacional da Asma, doenca que alcanca mais de 22 milhoes de brasileiros, segundo dados da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia. Apesar de ser controlavel por tratamento, que e oferecido gratuitamente na rede publica, a doenca ainda mata cerca de 2,5 mil pessoas por ano, de acordo com o Ministerio da Saude.Divulgada nacionalmente, uma complicacao de asma matou o filho mais novo do presidente da Embratur, Marcelo Dino, de 13 anos, no dia 14 de fevereiro passado, depois de uma crise quando estava internado no Santa Lucia, um dos mais conhecidos hospitais privados da capital federal. As circunstancias da morte foram investigadas pelo Ministerio Publico do Trabalho e pela Policia Civil do Distrito Federal.A asma e uma inflamacao pulmonar cronica, multifatorial, transmitida geneticamente, caracterizada por episodios recorrentes de falta de ar, tosse, chiado e aperto no peito. Na maioria dos casos, o problema comeca na infancia, mas pode surgir em qualquer faixa etaria, como explica a alergista e imunologista pediatrica do Hospital da Crianca, Claudia Franca Valente.Para prevenir os ataques, a pessoa deve ter cuidado com ambiente onde mora, segundo ela. O local deve ser iluminado, arejado e com a menor quantidade de objetos possivel, para impedir a retencao de poeira. A Secretaria de Saude do DF realizara a partir de amanha (22), ate 29 de junho, a 8a Semana de Combate a Asma. No evento, serao realizadas palestras educativas para o