In biomechanical analyses, the position of long bone cross-section under study is defined relatively to biomechanical length (BML) of the bone. In damaged bones where BML can not be measured, the position of the cross-section has to be estimated. Sládek et al. (2010) studied the effect of inaccurately located femoral and tibial midshafts on the cross-sectional parameters in a pooled-sex sample from a single period. In the present study we aim to test whether the effect of inaccurately located femoral and tibial midshafts on the cross-sectional parameters is sample-specific and/or sex-specific. We used femora of 29 females and 25 males and tibiae of 24 females and 36 males from two different periods (Late Eneolithic and Early Bronze Age; early modern period). 29 cross-section CT scans per bone obtained at each 1% interval from 40% to 60% of BML and at each 5% interval from 20-40% and 60-80% of BML were available to us. We digitized the cross-section scans and computed the error ranges of the cross-sectional parameters. We compared the mean percentage difference (MD%) and mean accuracy range (MAR) between samples and sexes. Our results are in concordance with the results of Sladek et al. (2010): the cross-sectional parameters most sensitive to positioning error are tibial second moments of area (MAR...

This thesis examines inter-industry wage differentials in the Czech Republic, using the European Union - Statistics on Income and Living (EU-SILC 2009) survey as our primary data source. Findings show that even after controlling for large number of workers and jobs characteristics wage differences based on industry affiliation still persist. The variation of the inter-industry wage differentials amounts to approximately 5 percent with the maximum wage level difference of 25 percent between the financial sector and agriculture. By applying two distinct methodologies we tested the hypothesis that the inter-industry wage differentials are actually caused by higher concentration of workers with better unmeasured abilities in higher-paying industries. Neither of the two methods rejected the unobserved ability hypothesis. Finally, our analysis also shows that the inter-industry wage differentials can be to a certain extent attributed to rent-sharing and different labour turnover costs across sectors.

BACKGROUND: Centres in Phases I and III of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) programme used the method of consent (passive or active) required by local ethics committees. METHODS: Retrospectively, relationships between achieved response rates and method of consent for 13-14 and 6-7-year-olds (adolescents and children, respectively), were examined between phases and between English and non-English language centres. RESULTS: Information was obtained for 113 of 115 centres for adolescents and 72/72 centres for children. Both age groups: most centres using passive consent achieved high response rates (>80% adolescents and >70% children). English language centres using active consent showed a larger decrease in response rate. Adolescents: seven centres changed from passive consent in Phase I to active consent in Phase III (median decrease of 13%), with five centres showing lower response rates (as low as 34%). Children: no centre changed consent method between phases. Centres using active consent had lower median response rates (lowest response rate 45%). CONCLUSION: The requirement for active consent for population school-based questionnaire studies can impact negatively on response rates, particularly English language centres, thus adversely affecting the validity of the data. Ethics committees need to consider this issue carefully. / Revisión por pares

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado / Background: There are no internationally validated questionnaires to investigate the prevalence of infant wheezing. This study was undertaken to validate a questionnaire for the International Study on the Prevalence of Wheezing in Infants (Estudio Internacional de Sibilancias en Lactantes, EISL). Material and Methods: Construct and criterion validity were tested for the question 'Has your baby had wheezing or whistling in the chest during his/her first 12 months of life?'. Construct validity (i.e. the ability of parents and doctors to refer to the same symptoms with the same words) was tested in a sample of 50 wheezing and 50 non-wheezy infants 12-15 months of age in each of 10 centres from 6 different Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking countries. Criterion validity (i.e. the ability of parents to correctly detect the symptom in the general population) was evaluated in 2 samples (Santiago, Chile and Cartagena, Spain) of 50 wheezing and 50 non-wheezing infants (according to parents) of the same age, randomly selected from the general population, who were later blindly diagnosed by a paediatric pulmonologist. Results: Construct validity was very high (κ test: 0.98-1) in all centres. According to Youden's index, criterion validity was good both in Cartagena (75.5%) and in Santiago (67.0%). Adding questions about asthma medication did not improve diagnosis accuracy. Conclusions: The EISL questionnaire significantly distinguished wheezy infants from healthy ones. This questionnaire has a strong validity and can be employed in large international multicentre studies on wheezing during infancy. / Revisión por pares

Background: We investigated whether maternal smoking in the first year of life or any current parental smoking is associated with childhood or adolescent body mass index (BMI). Methods: Secondary analysis of data from a multi-centre, multi-country, cross-sectional study (ISAAC Phase Three). Parents/guardians of children aged 6-7 years completed questionnaires about their children's current height and weight, whether their mother smoked in the first year of the child's life and current smoking habits of both parents. Adolescents aged 13-14 years completed questionnaires about their height, weight and current parental smoking habits. A general linear mixed model was used to determine the association between BMI and parental smoking. Results: 77,192 children (18 countries) and 194 727 adolescents (35 countries) were included. The BMI of children exposed to maternal smoking during their first year of life was 0.11 kg/m 2 greater than those who were not (P = 0.0033). The BMI of children of currently smoking parents was greater than those with non-smoking parents (maternal smoking: +0.08 kg/m 2 (P = 0.0131), paternal smoking: +0.10 kg/m 2 (P < 0.0001)). The BMI of female adolescents exposed to maternal or paternal smoking was 0.23 kg/m 2 and 0.09 kg/m 2 greater respectively than those who were not exposed (P < 0.0001). The BMI of male adolescents was greater with maternal smoking exposure, but not paternal smoking (0.19 kg/m 2 , P < 0.0001 and 0.03 kg/m 2 , P = 0.14 respectively). Conclusion: Parental smoking is associated with higher BMI values in children and adolescents. Whether this is due to a direct effect of parental smoking or to confounding cannot be established from this observational study. / This work was supported by Cure Kids New Zealand through a grant to Professor E Mitchell and Dr I Braithwaite. Cure Kids New Zealand had no role or influence in design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; and preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication. ISAAC Phase Three: / Revisión por pares

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo, estudar as variações da mortalidade por câncer, no Distrito de São Paulo, ocorridas no período de doze anos, compreendido entre 1962-1963 e 1974-1975. Foram utilizados dados de mortal idade originados da \" lnvestigação lnteramericana de Mortalidade\" , realizada em 1962-1963, e do \"Estudo dos Transtor Mentais como causa básica e associada na mortalidade de adultos de 15-74 anos no Distrito de São Paulo e Município de Botucatú e São Manuel em 1974-1975\". A escolha desses dados de mortalidade deu-se porque esses referidos estudos utilizaram uma mesma metodologia de pesquisa, baseada fundamentalmente na correçao da causa básica de óbito assinalada no atestado de óbito, através de entrevistas domiciliares e junto aos médicos, hospitais,etc. Desse modo, os 811 óbitos por tumores malígnos apresentados nesse trabalho, do período de 1962-1963, e os 452 do período de 1974-75, são mais fidedígnos que os oficiais. As variações da mortalidade foram descritas, tanto por corte transversal do tempo, quanto por coortes. Em relação ao sexo masculino, o risco morte por todas as localizações de câncer, aumentou de 1962-1963 à 1974-1975 em todos os grupos etários, exceto no de 15-24 anos.Para o sexo feminino, o risco de morte por todos os tumores malígnos, aumentou de 1962-1963 à 1974-1975 nos grupos etários de 15-24 anos de 35-44 anos e de 45-54 anos. As coortes mais jovens foram as que apresentaram maior incremento da mortal idade por câncer. / The objective of this dissertation was to study the variations of cancer mortality, in the District of São Paulo, during the período of twelve years, between 1962-1963 and 1974-1975- The baseline data used were those from the studies \"Investigação lnteramericana de Mortalidade\", done in 1962-1963, and \"Estudos dos Transtornos Mentais como Causa Básica e Associada na Mortalidade de Adultos de 15-74 anos no Distrito de São Paulo e Município de Botucatu e São Manuel em 1974-1975\'\'. These data were chosen because both studies used the same methods of research, based in the underlying cause of death registered in the death certiffcate and corrected by means of home interviews and interviews whith physicians, in hospitals and other sources of informations. So, the 811 deaths by malignant neoplasms for the period 1962-1963 and the 452 for the period 1974- 1975, studied in the present dissertation are figures more reliable than the official ones. The variations of mortality were described both under the views of a cross-section in the time and as the aspect of cohort. For males, the risk of death for all sites became greater from 1962-1963 to 1974-1975 in all age groups, except 15-24. For females, the risk became greater from 1962-1963 to 1974-1975 in the age groups: 15-24, 35-44 and 45-54. The youngest cohorts presented the greatest increment in cancer mortality.

A literatura demonstra que a dimensão espiritual tem impacto na saúde biopsicossocial, sendo associada à preservação da saúde mental, qualidade de vida e redução da mortalidade global e cardiovascular. Contudo, são descritas várias barreiras para a abordagem clínica da espiritualidade do paciente, como a falta de tempo ou treinamento sobre o assunto, além dos valores pessoais e religiosos do profissional. A abordagem da espiritualidade na prática clínica de médicos de família e comunidade (MFC) ainda é um desafio e, com isso, a presente dissertação descreve aspectos da dimensão espiritual e religiosa de MFC brasileiros, com residência médica na área, além de apresentar aspectos sobre a inserção do tema da espiritualidade/religiosidade (E/R) na prática clínica desse grupo de profissionais. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo observacional transversal por meio de questionário online. Os dados foram analisados quantitativamente por meio de medidas de frequência numérica, percentual e de tendência central. A frequência e temática abordadas pelos MFC em relação à E/R foram aferidas por meio de constructo que agregou os questionários FICA, HOPE e SPIRITual History. Os escores de bem-estar espiritual e religiosidade dos médicos foram aferidos por meio de escalas bem avaliadas na literatura (respectivamente, FACIT-SpNI e DUREL-P). O inquérito online obteve taxa de resposta de 15,8%, sendo a amostra de maioria do sexo feminino (65,1%), com idade média de 35,8 anos e média de tempo de trabalho na área de 7,9 anos. A atuação profissional se dá em assistência clínica (87,7%) e ensino (67,1%). A maioria (78,4%) declara identificação com uma matriz religiosa, sendo 21,6% católicos, 13,7% espíritas e 11,3% evangélicos. Grande parte da amostra (21,6%) se identificou com mais de uma religião. Os MFC apresentam baixa religiosidade organizacional (49,3% raramente ou nunca frequentam instituições), porém, forte prática de religiosidade não organizacional (65,4% declaram práticas pessoais no mínimo semanais). O escore de religiosidade intrínseca médio foi de 10,6 (padrão: 3 a 15) e o de bem-estar espiritual foi de 35,7 (padrão: 0-48). Para a prática clínica, houve maior concordância com o conceito de espiritualidade de Puchalski, que apresenta amplitude moderada quando comparado aos conceitos de Anandarajah e Koenig. O grau de concordância apontou no sentido de diferenciação do conceito de espiritualidade em relação à definição de religiosidade. Embora a grande maioria acredite que a E/R influencie muito a saúde (88,4%) e que essa abordagem seja pertinente à prática clínica do MFC (81,2%), apenas 35,0% da amostra se sentia preparada para abordar o tema e a maioria o faz com frequência moderada (50,3%). As principais barreiras para essa abordagem seriam falta de tempo (53,4%), treinamento (39,7%) e valores pessoais, como medo de impor sua religião (27,7%) ou medo de ofender o paciente (23,6%). As áreas mais frequentemente discutidas pelos MFC com os pacientes tratam da rede de suporte social (discutido por 42,8% dos médicos) e resiliência (40,2%). Os temas menos discutidos seriam a relação médico-paciente (não discutido por 74,0%) e as implicações para o plano terapêutico (64,7%) / Researches show that the spiritual dimension influences the biopsychosocial health, being associated with the preservation of mental health, quality of life and reduction of global and cardiovascular mortality. However, there are several barriers for approaching patient\'s spirituality in clinical practice, such as the lack of time or training on this subject and personal values of the professionals, as religiosity. Approaching spirituality is still a challenge for Brazilian Family Physicians (BFP). Then, the present research describes aspects of the spiritual and religious dimensions of Brazilian Family Physicians who had completed medical residency programs in this area. It also shows aspects about the insertion of spirituality/religiosity (S/R) in the clinical practice of this group of professionals. For this reason, we carried out a cross-observational study by means an online questionnaire. We analyzed the data quantitatively by means of simple distribution and frequency measurements. The frequency and thematic discussed by BFP in relation to S/R were measured by an instrument developed using the questionnaires FICA, HOPE and SPIRITual History. We evaluated the doctors\' scores of spiritual- wellbeing and religiosity by means of well-evaluated scales (respectively, FACIT-SpNI and Durel-P). The online survey obtained response rate of 15.8%. The sample had most female (65.1%), average age of 35.8 years-old and average working time in the area of 7.9 years. Most of the professionals works in clinical assistance (87.7%) and teaching (67.1%). The majority (78.4%) declares identification with one religion, being 21.6% Catholics, 13.7% Spiritists and 11.3% Protestants. A large portion of the sample (21.6%) identified itself with more than one religion. The BFP showed low organizational religiosity (49.3% rarely or never attend to institutions), but high practice of non-organizational religiosity (65.4% declare personal practices at least weekly). The average of intrinsic religiosity score was 10.6 (standard: 3-15) and the spiritual-wellbeing average score was 35.7 (standard: 0-48). About the clinical practice, there was greater agreement with the concept of spirituality carried out by Puchalski, which presents moderate amplitude when compared to Anandarajah\'s or Koenig\'s concepts. The concordance degree showed same tendency to the sense of differentiation of the concepts of spirituality and religiosity. While 88.4% of BFP believe that the S/R influences a lot the health and 81.2% believe that this approach is pertinent to their clinical practice, only 35.0% of the sample felt prepared to address this topic and most do it sometimes (50.3%). The main barriers to this approach were lack of time (53.4%), training (39.7%) and personal values, such as fear of imposing their religion (27.7%) or fear of offending the patient (23.6%). The themes most often discussed by BFP with patients deal with the social support network (discussed by 42.8% of doctors) and resilience (40.2%). The less discussed subjects were the doctor-patient relationship (not discussed by 74.0%) and the implications for the therapeutic plan (64.7%)

INTRODUÇÃO: O termo Síndrome Metabólica denomina um conjunto de fatores de risco cardiovascular associado à resistência à insulina e a um aumento da morbidade e da mortalidade. A síndrome metabólica está relacionada a diversas doenças, especialmente aquelas ligadas à aterosclerose, como a doença arterial periférica. A claudicação intermitente é sintoma característico de um estágio inicial da doença arterial periférica, no qual o conhecimento dos seus fatores predisponentes, entre os quais a síndrome metabólica, torna-se importante para a instituição do tratamento médico adequado, a fim de prevenir ou retardar a progressão da aterosclerose. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo transversal foi determinar a prevalência da síndrome metabólica em pacientes com claudicação intermitente e sua correlação com a idade, gênero, localização da obstrução arterial e associação com doença arterial coronária sintomática. MÉTODO: Foram estudados 170 pacientes com doença arterial obstrutiva dos membros inferiores de etiologia aterosclerótica cuja única manifestação clínica era dor tipo claudicação intermitente. A idade média foi de 65 anos (33-89 anos). Havia 117 homens (68.8%) com idade média de 65.6 anos (33-84 anos) e 53 mulheres (31.1%) com idade média de 63.7 anos (35-89 anos). RESULTADOS: A síndrome metabólica foi diagnosticada em 98 pacientes (57.6%), 62 homens (63.3%) e 36 mulheres (36.7%). A idade média dos pacientes com síndrome metabólica foi de 63.5 anos, contra 67.0 anos dos pacientes sem síndrome metabólica (P = .027). Considerando os doentes com 65 anos, a síndrome metabólica esteve presente em 46 (48.9%) indivíduos e em 52 (68.4%) pacientes abaixo de 65 anos (P = .011). CONCLUSÕES: A Síndrome Metabólica é uma comorbidade frequente em indivíduos com claudicação intermitente, com prevalência significativamente mais elevada em indivíduos com idade inferior a 65 anos. Não houve associação entre a Síndrome Metabólica e o sexo dos pacientes com claudicação intermitente. Não houve também relação entre a Síndrome metabólica e doença coronariana sintomática na população estudada. A Síndrome Metabólica não afetou nenhum segmento anatômico arterial preferencialmente nos claudicantes / INTRODUCTION: The metabolic syndrome consists in a group of cardiovascular risk factors referring to insulin resistance, associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Metabolic syndrome is correlated to several illnesses, especially those associated with atherosclerosis, like peripheral arterial disease. Intermittent claudication is a symptom of an early stage of peripheral arterial disease, and the precocious diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is important for adequate medical treatment, in order to prevent or delay the progression of atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with intermittent claudication and its correlation with age, gender, localization of arterial obstruction and association with symptomatic coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: There were studied 170 consecutive patients with intermittent claudication, determined by physical examination, which revealed absence or weakness of pulses on the limb or limbs that were limiting deambulation, and an ankle-brachial index 0.9. The mean age was 65 years (33-89 years). There were 117 men (68.8%) with mean age of 65.6 years (33 84 years) and 53 women (31.1%) with mean age of 63.7 years (35 89 years). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 98 patients (57.6%), 62 men (63.3%) and 36 women (36.7%). The mean age of patients with metabolic syndrome was 63.5 years, against 67.0 years of patients without metabolic syndrome (P= .027). Considering patients with 65 years old, the metabolic syndrome was present in 46 (48.9%) individuals and in 52 (68.4%) patients below 65 years old (P= .011). CONCLUSIONS: The metabolic syndrome is frequent among patients with intermittent claudication, with a significant higher prevalence in claudicants < 65 years of age. The metabolic syndrome was not correlated with sex and symptomatic coronary artery disease. The metabolic syndrome did not affect any specific arterial segment in claudicant patients

Objetivos: Identificar o padrão de atividade física (AF) e de tempo sentado (TS), bem como os fatores associados, na população de 30 anos e mais, residente no município de Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brasil, em 2006 e comparar dois critérios utilizados para a classificação do padrão de AF: International Physical Activity Questionnaire - (IPAQ) e American College of Sports Medicine/American Heart Association (ACSM/AHA). Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico transversal, de base populacional, com processo de amostragem desenvolvido em três estágios. A variabilidade introduzida na terceira fração de amostragem foi corrigida pela atribuição de pesos amostrais, que levaram em consideração a taxa de não resposta e o número de unidades elegíveis em cada domicílio, originando uma amostra ponderada de 2197 participantes. Para avaliar o padrão de AF e do TS, utilizou-se o Questionário IPAQ (versão curta). Para identificar fatores associados ao padrão de AF, aplicou-se o modelo de regressão de Poisson, obtendo-se razões de prevalência, por pontos e por intervalos com 95% de confiança, em modelos uni e multivariados. Para a identificação dos fatores associados ao TS foram construídos modelos de regressão linear múltipla, obtendo-se os coeficientes angulares (?) e respectivos intervalos, com 95% de confiança, em modelos uni e multivariados. Todas as estimativas foram calculadas levando-se em consideração o efeito do desenho amostral. Para a comparação entre os critérios do IPAQ e do ACSM/AHA, utilizou-se a estatística Kappa, estimada por pontos e por intervalos com 95% de confiança. Resultados: Na amostra do estudo, 62,5% dos homens e 67,9% das mulheres apresentaram \"prática insuficiente\" de AF. Diferentes variáveis permaneceram associadas à \"prática insuficiente\" (PI) nos modelos finais. No sexo masculino, permaneceram: \"nº de horas de trabalho/dia\", \"nº de medicamentos consumidos nos últimos 15 dias\" e \"saúde auto-referida\". No sexo feminino, permaneceram: \"nível educacional\" e \"renda\". Em relação ao tempo sentado, em quase todas as categorias das variáveis estudadas, os homens apresentaram valores médios de TS maiores que as mulheres, sendo que, para o conjunto dos homens, a média diária foi 306,2 minutos e, para as mulheres, 270,3 minutos. Na análise multivariada permaneceram associadas ao TS as seguintes variáveis: \"sexo\", \"anos de escolaridade\", \"hábito de fumar\", \"gasto metabólico (Mets*min*semana-1)\", \"nº de horas de trabalho/dia\" e \"nº de antecedentes de obesidade\". As prevalências de prática suficiente de AF foram, em geral, discretamente mais elevadas quando aplicados os critérios do ACSM/AHA, em relação ao do IPAQ. A estatística Kappa indicou acordo satisfatório entre estes critérios (Kappa?1), em ambos os sexos, sendo os coeficientes gerais kmasc=0,95 (IC95% 0,83-1,06) e kfem=0,93 (IC95% 0,85-1,01). Conclusões: Os critérios do IPAQ e do ACSM/AHA apresentaram praticamente a mesma capacidade de classificação dos participantes quanto aos níveis de AF. Os resultados indicaram prevalência de PI e média de TS elevadas na população. As associações encontradas reforçam a necessidade de implantação de Programas específicos de promoção da prática de AF e diminuição do TS, tendo em vista que diferentes conjuntos de fatores permaneceram associados a estes desfechos. Tais Programas podem contribuir para a adoção de um estilo de vida saudável, bem como para a prevenção de doenças crônico-degenerativas nesta população. / Objectives: Identify the physical activity (PA) and sitting time (ST) pattern, as well as correlates, in the population aged 30 years and older living in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil, in 2006 and compare two criteria used to classify the PA pattern: International Physical Activity Questionnaire - (IPAQ) and American College of Sports Medicine/American Heart Association (ACSM/AHA). Methods: A cross-sectional population-based epidemiological research was carried out using three-stage sampling. The variability introduced in the third sampling fraction was corrected by attributing sampling weights, which considered the non-response rate and number of eligible units at each household, resulting in a weighted sample of 2197 participants. To assess the PA and ST pattern, the IPAQ questionnaire (short version) was used. To identify PA correlates, Poisson\'s regression model was applied to estimate prevalence ratios, by point and 95% confidence intervals, in crude and multivariate models. To identify ST correlates, multiple linear regression models were used to estimate angular coefficients (?) and their respective intervals, at a 95% confidence level, in crude and multivariate models. All estimates were calculated taking into account the sample design effect. To compare IPAQ and ACSM/AHA criteria, Kappa statistics were used, by point and 95% confidence intervals. Results: In the study sample, 62.5% of men and 67.9% of women showed \"insufficient practice\" of PA. Different variables remained associated with \"insufficient practice\" (IP) in the final models. Among men, remained associated: \"number of work hours/day\", \"number of drugs consumed in last 15 days\" and \"self-related health\". Among women, remained associated: \"educational level\" and \"income\". With regard to sitting time, in almost all categories of the research variables, men showed higher ST means than women, with a daily average of 306.2 minutes for men, and 270.3 minutes for women. In multivariate analysis, remained associated with ST: \"gender\", \"years of education\", \"smoking\", \"metabolic waste (Mets*min*week-1)\", \"number of work hours/day\" and \"number of obesity antecedents\". In general, prevalence rates for sufficient practice were slightly higher when applying ACSM/AHA criteria in comparison with IPAQ. Kappa statistics indicated satisfactory agreement between these criteria (Kappa?1), in both genders, with crude coefficients kmale=0.95 (CI95% 0.83-1.06) and kfem=0.93 (CI95% 0.85-1.01). Conclusions: The IPAQ and ACSM/AHA criteria showed practically the same ability to classify participants in terms of PA levels. The results indicated high IP prevalence and ST means in the population. The associations found reinforce the need to implement specific Programs of PA promotion and ST decrease, as different sets of factors remained associated with these outcomes. These Programs can contribute to the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and to the prevention of chronic-degenerative diseases in this population.

INTRODUÇÃO: O uso de drogas entre universitários tem sido documentado mundialmente por grandes levantamentos estatísticos. No Brasil, estudos regionais têm sido realizados com esse propósito, a exemplo dos levantamentos que têm sido feitos há 13 anos entre os universitários da Universidade de São Paulo USP, Brasil. OBJETIVOS: O presente estudo teve por objetivo descrever os resultados do referido levantamento referente ao ano de 2009 e compará-los aos dos anteriores (1996 e 2001) com a finalidade de identificar tendências de uso para orientar as autoridades competentes quanto ao desenvolvimento de estratégias adequadas de controle. MÉTODOS: Estudo epidemiológico transversal cuja amostra foi selecionada por estratificação e conglomerados. Adotou-se um instrumento de pesquisa de autopreenchimento, anônimo, que caracterizou o uso de drogas através de três medidas: uso na vida, nos últimos 12 meses e nos últimos 30 dias. PARTICIPANTES: 10.913 alunos dos cursos de graduação da USP dos campi Cidade Universitária, Complexo da Saúde e Faculdade de Direito. RESULTADOS: Os estudantes da USP vêm consumindo menos drogas (1996 e 2009). Entre eles, testemunha-se a diminuição do uso de inalantes e aumento do uso de anfetamínicos em todas as medidas avaliadas. Os alunos das ciências Humanas fazem uso de drogas com maior frequência. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados desta pesquisa acompanham as tendências norte americanas. O uso de álcool e de esctasy merecem destaque nessa população, sendo necessários estudos mais aprofundados sobre o tema / INTRODUCTION: Substance use among college students has been reported worldwide by large statistical surveys. In Brazil, regional studies have been conducted with this purpose, similar to the longitudinal survey that has been performed for 13 years among college students from University of São Paulo USP, Brazil. AIMS: The present study aimed to describe the 2009 results and compare them to previous surveys (1996 and 2001) in order to identify substance use trends that could guide the responsible authorities in the development of adequate control strategies. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study with a multistage stratified cluster sample. The instrument was an anonymous self-administered questionnaire that evaluated lifetime, past-year and past-month substance use. SAMPLE: 10.913 students from graduation courses at the different USP campi: University City, Complex Health Center and School of Law. RESULTS: The students from USP have been consuming fewer drugs (1996 and 2009), with a special decreased use of inhalants and increased use of amphetamines in all periods evaluated. Human Science students consume drugs more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey are consistent with the trends observed in North America. Alcohol and esctasy use definitely deserve more attention within this population and further studies in this area are indeed necessary