Browsing by Author "Moreira, A"
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- Hospital Resource Utilization and Treatment Cost of Skeletal-Related Events in Patients with Metastatic Breast or Prostate Cancer: Estimation for the Portuguese National Health SystemPublication . Félix, J; Andreozzi, V; Soares, M; Borrego, P; Gervásio, H; Moreira, A; Costa, L; Marcelo, F; Peralta, F; Furtado, I; Pina, F; Albuquerque, C; Santos, A; Passos-Coelho, JL; Portuguese Group for the Study of Bone MetastasesBACKGROUND: Skeletal-related events (SREs) occur frequently in patients with bone metastases as a result of breast (BC) and prostate (PC) cancers. They increase both morbidity and mortality and lead to extensive health-care resource utilization. METHODS: Health care resource utilization by BC/PC patients with at least one SRE during the preceding 12 months was assessed through retrospective chart review. SRE-treatment costs were estimated using the Portuguese Ministry of Health cost database and analyzed using generalized linear models. RESULTS: This study included 152 patients from nine hospitals. The mean (SD) annual SRE-treatment cost per patient was €5963 (€3646) and €5711 (€4347), for BC (n=121) and PC (n=31) patients, respectively. Mean cost per single episode ranged between €1485 (radiotherapy) and €13,203 (spinal cord compression). Early onset of bone metastasis (P = 0.03) and diagnosis of bone metastases at or after the occurrence of the first SRE (P < 0.001) were associated with higher SRE-treatment costs. CONCLUSION: These results reveal the high hospital SRE-treatment costs, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and treatment, and identify key factors determining the economic value of therapies for patients with skeletal metastases.
- Nystagmus in a newborn: a manifestation of Joubert syndrome in the neonatal period.Publication . Salva, I; Albuquerque, C; Moreira, A; Dâmaso, CJoubert syndrome is a rare disorder, usually autosomal recessive, with a prevalence of 1:80 000 to 1:100 000. This disease presents most commonly as breathing irregularities, although the two major clinical criteria are hypotonia and developmental delay, sometimes associated with ocular movement abnormalities. The severity of the presentation varies, ranging from mild cases with normal intelligence to severe developmental delays associated with early death. We report a case of a newborn who presented to the emergency department for absent ocular fixation and torsional nystagmus without other neurological abnormalities. Her cranial MR showed cerebellar vermis agenesis and a molar tooth sign. Her laboratory evaluation, and renal and abdominal ultrasound were normal. An electroretinogram showed mixed retinal dystrophy and an AHI1 homozygous missense c.1981T>C mutation was identified (parents are carriers). Throughout infancy, she has shown mild developmental delay and hypotonia, but no respiratory abnormalities. Owing to variable expressivity, a high level of suspicion is required.
- A Potential Link Between Prolonged Cork Exposure and Intestinal-Type Sinonasal Adenocarcinoma – Special Findings of a Retrospective Cohort AnalysisPublication . Alpuim Costa, D; Monteiro, A; André, T; Esteves, S; Sargento, I; Ferreira, M; Alexandre, T; Clara, A; Freire, J; Moreira, AIntroduction: intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma (ITAC) is a rare epithelium tumor of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses. Exposure to wood and leather dusts is a strong etiological factor related to its development. Prolonged cork exposure has rarely been associated. Materials and methods: thirty-seven-year (1981-2018) retrospective cohort analysis of all consecutive patients with sinonasal cancer (SNC) followed at our institution. Medical records were reviewed to determine patient demographics, occupational/environmental exposure, location and extent of the tumor, stage, histopathology findings, treatment strategies, and oncologic outcomes. Survival analysis was done using Kaplan-Meier method. Results: we evaluated 379 patients with SNC, including 39 (10.3%) ITAC. Patient median age was 73 years (range 49-87), 56% male and 69% with identified professional occupational exposure (54% for cork; 69.2% considering only those for which an agent has been identified). Seventy-two percent had locally advanced disease (stage III or IVA-B). The initial treatment was surgery in 77%, and 54% received adjuvant radiotherapy. The median time to progression, progression-free survival, and overall-survival was 2.36 years (95% CI 1.54-8.70), 1.96 years (95% CI 1.43-3.74), and 3.51 years (95% CI 2.33-10.02), respectively. Conclusion: ITAC is an uncommon malignancy that grows silently, which contributes to delayed diagnosis, advanced stage and low survival rates. In our cohort, we observed a high prevalence of cork occupational exposure. This finding may lead to the implementation of protection measures and suggest a potential link to be further studied.
- Safety of chitosan processed wine in shrimp allergic patientsPublication . Amaral, L; Silva, D; Couto, M; Nunes, C; Rocha, SM; Coimbra, MA; Coimbra, A; Moreira, A