Browsing by Author "Guimarães, M"
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- COPD control: Can a consensus be found?Publication . Guimarães, M; Bugalho, A; Oliveira, AS; Moita, J; Marques, AThere are currently no reliable instruments for assessing the onset and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or predicting its prognosis. Currently, a comprehensive assessment of COPD including several objective and subjective parameters is recommended. However, the lack of biomarkers precludes a correct assessment of COPD severity, which consequently hampers adequate therapeutic approaches and COPD control. In the absence of a definition of "well-controlled disease", a consensus regarding COPD control will be difficult to reach. However, COPD patient assessment should be multidimensional, and anchored in five points: control of symptoms, decline of pulmonary function, levels of physical activity, exacerbations, and Quality of Life. Several non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures are currently available to achieve disease control. Smoking cessation, vaccination, exercise training programs and pulmonary rehabilitation are recognized as important non-pharmacological measures but bronchodilators are the pivotal therapy in the control of COPD. This paper discusses several objective and subjective parameters that may bridge the gap between disease assessment and disease control. The authors conclude that, at present, it is not possible to reach a consensus regarding COPD control, essentially due to the lack of objective instruments to measure it. Some recommendations are set forth, but true COPD control awaits further objective assessments.
- Emergency department contribution to HCV elimination in the Iberian PeninsulaPublication . Buti, M; Vaz-Pinto, I; Magno Pereira, V; Casado, M; Llaneras, J; Barreira, A; Esteves, C; Guimarães, M; Gorgulho, A; Mourão, T; Xavier, E; Jasmins, L; Reis, AP; Faria, N; Freitas, B; Andrade, G; Camelo-Castillo, A; Rodríguez-Maresca, MÁ; Carrodeguas, A; Medina, D; Esteban, RBackground: Undiagnosed cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection result in significant morbidity and mortality, further transmission, and increased public health costs. Testing in emergency departments (EDs) is an opportunity to expand HCV screening. The goal of this project was to increase the proportion of eligible patients screened for HCV in urban areas. Methods: An opportunistic automated HCV screening program was implemented in the EDs of 4 public hospitals in Spain and Portugal at different periods between 2018 and 2023. HCV prevalence was prospectively evaluated, and single-step or reflex testing was used for confirmation in the same sample. Results: More than 90% of the population eligible for testing were screened in the participating centers. We found HCV antibody seroprevalence rates ranging from 0.6 to 3.9%, with between 19 and 53% of viremic individuals. Conclusions: Opportunistic HCV screening in EDs is feasible, does not disrupt ED activities, is highly effective in increasing diagnosis, and contributes to WHO's HCV elimination goals.
- Impact of a Heart Failure Clinic on Morbidity, Mortality and Quality of LifePublication . Nogueira, F; Ferreira, FC; Raposo, AF; Mónica, L; Cruz, L; Guimarães, M; Fandinga, L; Matias, C; Proença, G