Introduction: Depressive disorders can be defined as episodes of depressed mood or loss of interest and pleasure in nearly all activities. Depression is considered a major mental disorder in the elderly, and may be related to quality of sleep and living habits as well as being influenced by sociodemographic factors. Objective: To determine the prevalence of depression among the elderly in the north-east of Brazil, and the relationship between the condition and socio-demographic profile, quality of sleep and living habits. Method: An epidemiological cross-sectional study was performed of the elderly population of the urban area of Campina Grande, Paraiba. The dependent variable presence of depression and the independent variables sociodemographic aspects, sleep quality, and living habits were investigated. Estimates of the prevalence of the variables were obtained and association measured using Poisson Regression. A 5% significance level was adopted for the estimates. Results: The study included 168 elderly patients with a mean age of 72.3 (±7.8) years, most of whom, 122 (72.6%), were women. Depression was identified in 72 elderly persons (42.9%). Elderly women were twice as associated with depression (PR=2.26) as men. A subjective quality of sleep of very good (PR=0.34), medium/high risk of sleep disturbance (PR = 4.08), taking sleeping medications once or twice (PR=5.21) and three times or more (PR=8.69) a week, daytime dysfunction once or twice (PR=14.40) and three times or more (PR=27) a week and poor quality of sleep on the Pittsburgh index were associated with depression in bivariate analysis, although there was no relationship following multivariable adjustment. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression was high in the studied population, being noticeably more frequent among elderly woman. However, it was not possible to detect an association between depression and living habits and sleep quality.

Isolated and painless infraspinatus atrophy and weakness are described in two top-level volleyball players. EMG revealed isolated denervation of the infraspinatus muscle. One athlete continued playing and his clinical features have not changed. The other recovered her muscle bulk and strength after stopping playing. These findings were attributed to intense activity of the shoulder joint, without any direct trauma. On clinical grounds, we did not consider these cases as true examples of entrapment neuropathy. Pathogenesis was related to traction of the distal branch of the suprascapular nerve during the act of reception of the ball ("Manchete").

It was found that obesity for women, and depression and cardiovascular dysfunction risking for men were associated with EDS in the elderly. The variable sex is a confusion condition for the association with sleepiness.

Introdução: Acidente vascular encefálico isquêmico (AVCI) é o comprometimento neurológico mais comum na população geral. Seu estudo permite conhecer sua dinâmica epidemiológica objetivando tomada de decisões em saúde pública. Objetivos: Traçar perfil temporal da ocorrência de AVCI e sua taxa de mortalidade hospitalar. Métodos: Utilizou-se um delineamento ecológico de série temporal nas Unidades Federativas do Nordeste brasileiro. Os dados foram coletados no Sistema de Informação Hospitalar sobre os episódios de AVCI, entre os anos de 1998 e 2010. Resultados: Observou-se grande redução na incidência de AVCI no período analisado, com redução de 31,33 casos/105 habitantes em média até 2002, para 11,4 casos/105, após esse período. A incidência de AVCI aumenta com a idade e não há diferença entre os sexos. A mortalidade hospitalar não mostrou alteração considerável no período. Conclusão: A incidência de AVCI no Nordeste do Brasil declinou a partir do ano de 2002, mantendo um novo paradigma.

SUMMARYThis cross-sectional study assessed the grade of physical impairments in 61 individuals with leprosy receiving multidrug therapy (MDT) under the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), and residing in Campina Grande, Paraíba State, Brazil. Impairments were assessed using the disability grade (DG) standardized by the WHO, and the EHF score (Eye-Hand-Foot sum of impairment scores). Impairments were detected in 25 (41%) of the subjects. A total of 14 (23%) patients scored DG 1, while 11 (18%) were assigned DG 2. The EHF score ranged from 1 to 10 points in the group of patients with physical impairments, with a mean score of 3.6 points. The majority of individuals with impairments were affected in at least two sites. We conclude that the EHF score showed overlapping impairments in the segments examined and may be more appropriate than the DG classification system for describing the degree of physical impairment of leprosy patients.