Browsing by Author "Morais, A"
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- Análise crítica de um artigo científicoPublication . Morais, A
- Chronic granulomatous disease associated with common variable immunodeficiency - 2 clinical casesPublication . Pacheco, C; Morais, A; Rolo, R; Ferreira, L; Nabiço, R; Cunha, JINTRODUCTION: Chronic granulomatous disease associated with common variable immunodeficiency (GD-CVID), although well documented, is rare. Granulomatous lesions can affect several organs and are histologically indistinguishable from sarcoidosis. CLINICAL CASES: Case 1: A 39-year-old male patient with CVID, asymptomatic although with thrombocytopenia and mediastinal-hilar adenopathies. GD-CVID was diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy. Progressive clinical and radiological improvement was obtained with corticotherapy. Case 2: A 38-year-old male patient with CVID, suffered from asthenia, anorexia, myalgia, lower limbs edemas, and dry cough. He had mediastinal and bilateral hilar adenopathies within which biopsy revealed non-necrotizing granulomatous infiltrate. A spontaneous resolution was detected after 9 months of evolution. CONCLUSION: GD-CVID is rare and can mimetize other pathologies, namely, sarcoidosis; it should therefore be publicized and discussed so that it becomes a general clinical knowledge.
- Influenza vaccination in older adults and patients with chronic disorders: A position paper from the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology, the Portuguese Society of Cardiology, the Portuguese Society of Diabetology, the Portuguese Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, the Portuguese Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology, and the Study Group of Geriatrics of the Portuguese Society of Internal MedicinePublication . Froes, F; Timóteo, A; Almeida, B; Raposo, JF; Oliveira, J; Carrageta, M; Duque, S; Morais, AInfluenza affects millions of people worldwide each year and can lead to severe complications, hospitalizations, and even death, especially among vulnerable populations such as older adults and those with chronic medical conditions. Annual vaccination is considered the most effective measure for preventing influenza and its complications. Despite the widespread availability of influenza vaccines, however, vaccination coverage rates remain suboptimal in several countries. Based on the latest scientific evidence and expert opinions on influenza vaccination in older people and patients with chronic disease, the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology (SPP), the Portuguese Society of Diabetology (SPD), the Portuguese Society of Cardiology (SPC), the Portuguese Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SPGG), the Study Group of Geriatrics of the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine (NEGERMI-SPMI), and the Portuguese Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SPDIMC) discussed best practices for promoting vaccination uptake and coverage and drew up several recommendations to mitigate the impact of influenza. These recommendations focus on the efficacy and safety of available vaccines; the impact of influenza vaccination on older adults; patients with chronic medical conditions, namely cardiac and respiratory conditions, diabetes, and immunosuppressive diseases; and health care professionals, optimal vaccination timing, and strategies to increase vaccination uptake and coverage. The resulting position paper highlights the critical role that vaccinations play in promoting public health, raising awareness, and encouraging more people to get vaccinated.
- Recommendations for the implementation of a national lung cancer screening program in Portugal—A consensus statementPublication . Fernandes, MG; Dias, M; Santos, R; Ravara, S; Fernandes, P; Firmino-Machado, J; Antunes, JP; Fernandes, O; Madureira, A; Hespanhol, V; Rodrigues, C; Vicente, CA; Alves, S; Mendes, G; Ilgenfritz, R; Pinto, BS; Alves, J; Saraiva, I; Bárbara, C; Cipriano, MA; Figueiredo, A; Uva, MS; Jacinto, N; Curvo-Semedo, L; Morais, ALung cancer (LC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) programs that use low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) have been shown to reduce LC mortality by up to 25 % and are considered cost-effective. The European Health Union has encouraged its Member States to explore the feasibility of LCS implementation in their respective countries. The task force conducted a comprehensive literature review and engaged in extensive discussions to provide recommendations. These recommendations encompass the essential components required to initiate pilot LCS programs following the guidelines established by the World Health Organization. They were tailored to align with the specific context of the Portuguese healthcare system. The document addresses critical aspects, including the eligible population, methods for issuing invitations, radiological prerequisites, procedures for reporting results, referral processes, diagnostic strategies, program implementation, and ongoing monitoring. Furthermore, the task force emphasized that pairing LCS with evidence-based smoking cessation should be the standard of care for a high-quality screening program. This document also identifies areas for further research. These recommendations aim to guarantee that the implementation of a Portuguese LCS program ensures high-quality standards, consistency, and uniformity across centres.
- Sickle cell disease in children: chronic complications and search of predictive factors for adverse outcomesPublication . Silva, IV; Reis, AF; Palaré, MJ; Ferrão, A; Rodrigues, T; Morais, ABACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) has extremely variable phenotypes, and several factors have been associated with the severity of the disease. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the chronic complications of SCD and look for predictive risk factors for increased severity and number of complications. METHODS: Retrospective study including all children followed for SCD in the Paediatric Haematology Unit of a tertiary hospital in Portugal, who completed 17 yr old between the years 2004 and 2013. RESULTS: We identified 44 patients, 55% female and 98% black. Chronic complications occurred in 80% of cases. Slight dilatation of the left ventricle was the most frequent complication (47.7%), followed by respiratory function disturbs (43.2%), microlithiasis or cholelithiasis (40.9%), increased flow velocity of cerebral arteries (31.8%), enuresis, delayed puberty and bone abnormalities (6.8% each), sickle cell retinopathy and leg ulcer (4.6% each) and recurrent priapism (2.3%). We identified a statistically significant association between leukocytes >15 000/μL and a higher number of hospitalizations (P < 0.001) and chronic complications of the disease (P = 0.035). The occurrence of dactylitis in first year of life was also significantly associated with a higher number of hospitalizations (P = 0.004) and chronic complications (P = 0.018). The presence of α-thalassemia was associated with a lower number of chronic complications (P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Leucocytosis and dactylitis in the first year of life can be predictors of SCD severity, while the presence of α-thalassemia can be protective. The determination of early predictors of chronic complications of SCD may improve the comprehensive care of these patients.
- Teleconsultation in respiratory medicine – A position paper of the Portuguese Pulmonology SocietyPublication . Morais, A; Bugalho, A; Drummond, M; Ferreira, AJ; Oliveira, AS; Sousa, S; Winck, JC; Cardoso, JThe COVID-19 pandemic crisis, among so many social, economic and health problems, also brought new opportunities. The potential of telemedicine to improve health outcomes had already been recognised in the last decades, but the pandemic crisis has accelerated the digital revolution. In 2020, a rapid increase in the use of remote consultations occurred due to the need to reduce attendance and overcrowding in outpatient clinics. However, the benefit of their use extends beyond the pandemic crisis, as an important tool to improve both the efficiency and capacity of future healthcare systems. This article reviews the literature regarding telemedicine and teleconsultation standards and recommendations, collects opinions of Portuguese experts in respiratory medicine and provides guidance in teleconsultation practices for Pulmonologists.
- Unmasking the hidden threat: COPD awareness and knowledge in Portugal study of COPD and awareness in the Portuguese populationPublication . Oliveira, AS; Cortesão, N; Gomes, J; Pinto, P; Shiang, T; Alfaro, T; Rodrigues, C; Ferreira, L; Barros, A; Morais, A