Browsing by Author "Matos, Cristiano"
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- Are consumers ready to take part in the Pharmacovigilance System?—a Portuguese preliminary study concerning ADR reportingPublication . Matos, Cristiano; van Hunsel, Florence; Joaquim, JoãoBACKGROUND: New pharmacovigilance legislation allows consumers to report adverse drug reactions (ADRs) directly to competent authorities in all European Union countries. Consumer reporting is available in Portugal since July 2012. In 2013, the National Pharmacovigilance System (SNF) had received 3461 spontaneous ADR reports, of which only 1.4% (n = 50) were from consumers. Consumer reporting could be one opportunity to reduce underreporting. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the attitudes and knowledge of the general public regarding spontaneous reporting and the reasons and opinions that can influence consumers' ADR underreporting. METHODS: A descriptive-correlational study was performed looking for consumers' attitudes and knowledge regarding spontaneous reporting. A 6-month survey was conducted from June to November 2013 in general adult consumers from a community pharmacy in Coimbra, Portugal, who used prescribed medicines or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Attitudes and opinions were surveyed by personal interview in a closed-answer questionnaire using a Likert scale. Questionnaires from healthcare professionals or incomplete ones were not considered. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square (χ(2)) tests, and Spearman's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: One thousand eighty-four questionnaires were collected (response rate of 81.1%) and 948 completed were selected for analysis. Of the respondents, 44.1% never heard about SNF. Younger people and those with a higher education were significantly more likely to be aware of SNF. Only one consumer had previously reported directly an ADR. Reporting ADRs indirectly through a healthcare professional (HCP) was preferred by 62.4%. The main reasons for consumers reporting spontaneous ADR would be the severity of reactions (81.1% agreed or strongly agreed) and worries about their situation (73.4% agreed or strongly agreed). Only weak and moderate correlations were found between studied statements.. CONCLUSIONS: Consumers are more likely to do spontaneous report about severe reactions or if they are worried about the symptoms. Tailored and proactive information on ADR reporting and educational interventions on consumers could increase the number of reports from consumers in Portugal.
- Attitudes and knowledge of community pharmacy professionals regarding the spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions: a preliminary study in Coimbra, PortugalPublication . Matos, Cristiano; Joaquim, João; Pires, TimóteoBackground Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) remains one of the most efficient methods to detect new, unusual, and severe ADRs. Community pharmacy professionals (CPPs) play a fundamental role in the reporting of spontaneous ADRs. The aim of this study was to describe the attitudes and knowledge of different CPP groups regarding the spontaneous reporting of ADRs and to identify the factors that can influence ADR under-reporting. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in CPPs (156 pharmacists and 40 pharmacy technicians) working in 49 pharmacies in Coimbra, Portugal. A survey of the knowledge and attitudes of CPPs towards reporting ADRs and the factors that encourage and discourage ADR reporting was constructed and personally delivered to the pharmacies. Results The response rate was 82.0%. The seriousness and the unusualness of the reaction were the most important motives to report ADRs (98.0 and 97.4% of respondents, respectively). CPPs also considered ADR reporting to be a professional obligation (96.4%), but “don’t feel the need to report well-known ADRs” (54.1%). Other attitudes associated with under-reporting were lack of time (50.0%), method of reporting (38.3%), and fear of legal liability (29.6%). Conclusions CPPs’ knowledge and behavior play a significant role in ADR reporting. Despite the differences in their educational syllabus, there were no statistical differences between pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with regard to their perception of the importance of ADR reports or the factors that affect their reporting. It may be possible to reduce the under-reporting of ADRs by introducing educational interventions based on the attitudes related to under-reporting that have been identified in this study.
- Knowledge and consumption of emergency contraception pills in a tertiary education student populationPublication . Joaquim, João; Reis, Marlene; Matos, Cristiano; Lopes, José; Pires, TimóteoIntroduction According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year there are 200 million pregnancies, of which 75 million are unintended. Emergency contraception pills (ECPs) are one of the available methods to prevent an unintended pregnancy, after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. The aim of this study was to quantify the consumption, characterize the level of knowledge, and understand the factors that induce the use of ECPs in tertiary students. Methods An observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective survey was conducted at two tertiary education institutions (Coimbra Health School and Coimbra Education School) between January and April 2015. A written survey was applied to a convenience sample of female and male students at these schools. The survey questions comprised three areas: sociodemographic indicators; knowledge of ECPs; and previous consumption of ECPs (females only). Descriptive statistics and chi-square of independence test were used. Results Most of the students had heard about ECPs and used them mainly for “forgetfulness or contraceptive failure” (63.8%) or “sex without using a contraceptive” (22.4%). Students’ main information sources were school, friends, and the internet. There was a higher level of knowledge in female students, students from the Coimbra Health School (vs students from the Coimbra Education School), and students who had received healthcare professional counseling (p < 0.01). Regarding consumption, the majority (74.1%) were first-time users of ECPs and almost all ECPs were obtained in the pharmacy (91.4%). Conclusions In Portugal, ECPs are available over the counter, which facilitates their obtainment. There was some knowledge among students, however lack of information about this subject should be taken into account in further studies. Communication with the students to improve their risk perception and knowledge is key to improving the safer use of ECPs.
- Mitoxantrone treatment-induced cardiotoxicity in patients with multiple sclerosisPublication . Martins, Diana Mafalda Miranda; Matos, Cristiano; Joaquim, João José Morais, 1969-Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune, neurodegenerative and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, which affects the quality of life of patients and their families. This disease is characterized by relapses or exacerbations, which are clinical consequences of increased inflammatory activity in the CNS. Few treatment options for patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) is available. Mitoxantrone (type II topoisomerase inhibitor) could be used to treat MS, most notably the subset known as SPMS. Mitoxantrone will not cure MS, but could be effective in slowing the progression of SPMS and extending the time between relapses in relapsing-remitting MS and progressive relapsing MS.
- Presentation of the first international research network to foster high-quality clinical trials testing non-pharmacological interventions (TRACTION network)Publication . Ferreira, Ricardo J. O.; Henriques, Adriana; Moe, Rikke H.; Matos, Cristiano; Tveter, Anne-Therese; Osteras, Nina; Nogueira, Paulo; Costa, Andreia Silva; Haavardsholm, Espen A.; Carmona, Loreto; Richards, DavidClinical trials are essential for evaluating the efficacy and safety of new treatments and health interventions. However, while pharmacological trials are well-established, non-pharmacological trials face unique challenges related to their complexity and difficulties such as recruitment, retention, intervention standardisation, selection of outcome measures and blinding of clinicians, participants and data collectors. This communication paper describes the objectives, implementation steps and bylaws of the 'Trials foR heAlth Care inTerventIONs' Network (TRACTION), established by an international multiprofessional task force of experts to foster high-quality non-pharmacological research, ultimately improving patient care and healthcare outcomes.The TRACTION research network will provide information and resources through a collaborative hub for researchers, health professionals, patient research partners and stakeholders in diverse biomedical and healthcare areas, connecting people with different levels of expertise but with the same interests (eg, to evaluate the effect of non-pharmacological interventions, recruiting participants). This open network will support researchers in optimising trial design, participant recruitment, data management and analysis, and disseminating and implementing trial results.The network will also facilitate specialisation training and provide educational materials and mentoring.