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- Telemonitoring of pediatric asthma in outpatient settings: A systematic reviewPublication . Pais‐Cunha, I; Fontoura Matias, J; Almeida, AL; Magalhães, M; Fonseca, JA; Azevedo, I; Jácome, CTelemonitoring technologies are rapidly evolving, offering a promising solution for remote monitoring and timely management of asthma acute episodes. We aimed to describe current pediatric asthma telemonitoring technologies. A systematic review was conducted until September 2023 on Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. We included studies of children (0-18 years) with asthma or recurrent wheezing whose respiratory condition was telemonitored outside the healthcare setting. A narrative synthesis was performed. We identified 40 telemonitoring technologies described in 40 studies. The more frequently used technologies for telemonitoring were mobile applications (n = 21) and web-based systems (n = 14). Telemonitoring duration varied between 2 weeks and 32 months. Data collection included asthma symptoms (n = 30), patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) (n = 11), spirometry/peak flow readings (n = 20), medication adherence (n = 17), inhaler technique (n = 3), air quality (n = 2), and respiratory sounds (n = 2). Both parents and children were the technology target users in most studies (n = 23). Technology training was reported in 23 studies of which 3 provided ongoing support. Automatic feedback was found in 30 studies, mostly related with asthma control. HCP were involved in data management in 27 studies. Technologies were tested in samples from 4 to 327 children, with most studies including school-aged children and/or adolescents (n = 38) and eight including preschool children. This review provides an overview of existing technologies for the outpatient telemonitoring of pediatric asthma. Specific technologies for preschool children represent a gap in the literature that needs to be specifically addressed in future research.
- Early Acute Kidney Injury in Stroke Patients Submitted to Endovascular Treatment: A Cohort StudyPublication . Oliveira, M; Sousa, M; Antunes, R; Macedo, D; Belchior, S; Soares, D; de Oliveira Simões, F; Rocha, M; Costa, H; Novo, J; Paredes, L; Barros, P; Pires, P; Castro, S; Ribeiro, M; Araújo, A; Afreixo, V; Gregorio, TBackground/Objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a potential complication of cardiovascular disorders and is associated with worse outcome. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of early AKI after endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke, identify predictors for this complication, and test the association between AKI and mortality or death or dependency. Methods: This was a single-center cohort study involving consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke submitted to endovascular therapy between 2015 and 2022. AKI was defined according to the KDIGO criteria and evaluated at 48 h. Other outcomes of interest were vital status and functional dependency at 3 months using the modified Rankin Scale, with death or dependency being defined as a score > 2. An adjustment for potential confounders was performed using logistic regression. Results: Overall, 1150 patients were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 74 years and a slight female preponderance (56%). The median NIHSS was 15, the mean onset-to-groin time was 392 min, and 92% of patients were successfully recanalized. The overall incidence rate of AKI was 6%. On univariate analysis, patients with AKI were older (p = 0.002), had a longer time to EVT (p = 0.042), higher NIHSS (p = 0.006), higher blood glucose (p = 0.033), and lower baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (p < 0.001). After adjustment for confounders, AKI was independently associated with NIHSS (p = 0.012), time to treatment (p = 0.004), and lower baseline GFR (p < 0.001). AKI was also independently associated with higher mortality (OR = 2.302, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Patients with impaired baseline renal function and more severe stroke are at higher risk of AKI, and AKI begets worse stroke outcome. Better strategies are required to optimize treatment outcome in these patients and avert this vicious cycle.
- C-reactive Protein Variation and Its Usefulness in the Prognostication and Monitoring of Patients With Pneumococcal PneumoniaPublication . Gomes, A; Ribeiro, R; Froes, F; Mergulhão, P; Gonçalves Pereira, JBackground and objective Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a prevalent and life-threatening infection that causes significant morbidity and mortality. Biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), can help to diagnose, monitor, and prognose patients with this condition. This study aimed to analyze the disease course, the CRP peak concentration, its relationship with prognosis, and its variation in hospitalized patients with pneumococcal CAP. Methodology This study included 797 patients diagnosed with pneumococcal CAP and admitted over four years to four different Portuguese hospitals, either to the ICU or the general ward. Results Although CRP peak concentration was not a good predictor of overall hospital mortality, higher peak concentration in older patients (>60 years) was associated with a dismal hospital prognosis. In contrast, younger patients who survived hospital discharge had a non-significant higher peak CRP concentration. A faster time until CRP decreased to at least half of its peak value also correlated with favorable outcomes after adjusting for age and bacteremia [failure to achieve a 50% decrease was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for hospital mortality of 6.45; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.30-9.69]. Conclusions Based on our findings, CRP may be a useful biomarker in the hospital setting for diagnosing and monitoring patients with pneumococcal CAP. Clinicians must be aware of its unique properties, clinical applications, and varying behaviors according to patient age groups.
- Rastreio do Cancro do Pulmão em Portugal: Um Projeto Piloto da PULMONALEPublication . Estevinho, F; Parente, B; Barata, F; Magalhães, I; França, M; Fidalgo, P; Santos, P; Hespanhol, V; Araújo, A
- Onychomycosis in Foot and Toe MalformationsPublication . Haneke, EIntroduction: It has long been accepted that trauma is one of the most important and frequent predisposing factors for onychomycoses. However, the role of direct trauma in the pathogenesis of fungal nail infections has only recently been elucidated in a series of 32 cases of post-traumatic single-digit onychomycosis. The importance of repeated trauma due to foot and toe abnormalities was rarely investigated. Aimof the study: This is a multicenter single-author observational study over a period of 6 years performed at specialized nail clinics in three countries. All patient photographs taken by the author during this period were screened for toenail alterations, and all toe onychomycosis cases were checked for whether they contained enough information to evaluate potential foot and toe abnormalities. Particular attention was paid to the presence of hallux valgus, hallux valgus interphalangeus, hallux erectus, inward rotation of the big toe, and outward rotation of the little toe, as well as splay foot. Only cases with unequivocal proof of fungal nail infection by either histopathology, mycologic culture, or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were accepted. Results: Of 1653 cases, 185 were onychomycoses, proven by mycologic culture, PCR, or histopathology. Of these, 179 involved at least one big toenail, and 6 affected one or more lesser toenails. Three patients consulted us for another toenail disease, and onychomycosis was diagnosed as a second disease. Eight patients had a pronounced tinea pedum. Relatively few patients had a normal big toe position (n = 9). Most of the cases had a mild to marked hallux valgus (HV) (105) and a hallux valgus interphalangeus (HVI) (143), while hallux erectus was observed in 43 patients, and the combination of HV and HVI was observed 83 times. Discussion: The very high percentage of foot and toe deformations was surprising. It may be hypothesized that this is not only a pathogenetically important factor but may also play an important role in the localization of the fungal infection, as no marked hallux deviation was noted in onychomycoses that affected the lesser toes only. As the management of onychomycoses is a complex procedure involving the exact diagnosis with a determination of the pathogenic fungus, the nail growth rate, the type of onychomycosis, its duration, and predisposing factors, anomalies of the toe position may be important. Among the most commonly mentioned predisposing factors are peripheral circulatory insufficiency, venous stasis, peripheral neuropathy, immune deficiency, and iatrogenic immunosuppression, whereas foot problems are not given enough attention. Unfortunately, many of these predisposing and aggravating factors are difficult to treat or correct. Generally, when explaining the treatment of onychomycoses to patients, the importance of these orthopedic alterations is not or only insufficiently discussed. In view of the problems encountered with the treatment of toenail mycoses, this attitude should be changed in order to make the patient understand why there is such a low cure rate despite excellent minimal inhibitory drug concentrations in the laboratory.
- Early feeding and nutritional status of Portuguese children in the first 36 months of life: EPACI Portugal 2012–a national representative cross-sectional studyPublication . Nazareth, M; Pinto, E; Severo, M; Graça, P; Lopes, C; Rêgo, CBackground: Early feeding practices have a critical role in the future not only in health but also in modulating eating habits. This study aimed to assess breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and the nutritional status of Portuguese toddlers aged 0-36 months. Methods: EPACI Portugal 2012 is a cross-sectional study of a national representative sample. Trained interviewers collected data about early feeding practices and anthropometrics. Body mass index was classified according to World Health Organization criteria. Frequencies and survival analysis were used to characterize variables. Results: More than 90% of children were initiated breastfeeding, around 20% were exclusively breastfed for six months, and about 20% were breastfed at 12 months while complementary feeding was taking place. Exclusive breastfeeding was determined by maternal prepregnancy body mass index (HR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00, 1.03, P=.03) and low birth weight (HR 1.61; IC 95% 1.21, 2.15, P=.001) of the infants. About 90% were initiated complementary feeding between four and six months, and almost 10% were introduced to cow's milk before 12 months. In the second year of life, 83.2% and 61.6% of toddlers have already consumed nectars and sweet desserts, respectively. About one-third of Portuguese toddlers showed a body mass index z-score >1, and 6.6% were overweight/obese (z-score >2). No association was found between the duration of breastfeeding or timing of complementary feeding and the body mass index z-score in children. Conclusions: Despite the low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at six months, Portuguese infants effectively comply with dietary recommendations during the first year of life. The transition to the family diet must be carefully made. There is a high prevalence of Portuguese toddlers at least at overweight risk. The duration of breastfeeding or timing of complementary feeding was not associated with the expression of overweight/obesity.
- Multidisciplinary Development and Initial Validation of a Clinical Knowledge Base on Chronic Respiratory Diseases for mHealth Decision Support SystemsPublication . Pereira, AM; Jácome, C; Jacinto, T; Amaral, R; Pereira, M; Sá-Sousa, A; Couto, M; Vieira-Marques, P; Martinho, D; Vieira, A; Almeida, A; Martins, C; Marreiros, G; Freitas, A; Almeida, R; Fonseca, JAMost mobile health (mHealth) decision support systems currently available for chronic obstructive respiratory diseases (CORDs) are not supported by clinical evidence or lack clinical validation. The development of the knowledge base that will feed the clinical decision support system is a crucial step that involves the collection and systematization of clinical knowledge from relevant scientific sources and its representation in a human-understandable and computer-interpretable way. This work describes the development and initial validation of a clinical knowledge base that can be integrated into mHealth decision support systems developed for patients with CORDs. A multidisciplinary team of health care professionals with clinical experience in respiratory diseases, together with data science and IT professionals, defined a new framework that can be used in other evidence-based systems. The knowledge base development began with a thorough review of the relevant scientific sources (eg, disease guidelines) to identify the recommendations to be implemented in the decision support system based on a consensus process. Recommendations were selected according to predefined inclusion criteria: (1) applicable to individuals with CORDs or to prevent CORDs, (2) directed toward patient self-management, (3) targeting adults, and (4) within the scope of the knowledge domains and subdomains defined. Then, the selected recommendations were prioritized according to (1) a harmonized level of evidence (reconciled from different sources); (2) the scope of the source document (international was preferred); (3) the entity that issued the source document; (4) the operability of the recommendation; and (5) health care professionals' perceptions of the relevance, potential impact, and reach of the recommendation. A total of 358 recommendations were selected. Next, the variables required to trigger those recommendations were defined (n=116) and operationalized into logical rules using Boolean logical operators (n=405). Finally, the knowledge base was implemented in an intelligent individualized coaching component and pretested with an asthma use case. Initial validation of the knowledge base was conducted internally using data from a population-based observational study of individuals with or without asthma or rhinitis. External validation of the appropriateness of the recommendations with the highest priority level was conducted independently by 4 physicians. In addition, a strategy for knowledge base updates, including an easy-to-use rules editor, was defined. Using this process, based on consensus and iterative improvement, we developed and conducted preliminary validation of a clinical knowledge base for CORDs that translates disease guidelines into personalized patient recommendations. The knowledge base can be used as part of mHealth decision support systems. This process could be replicated in other clinical areas.
- Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Mimicking the Presentation of Pituitary Apoplexy: A Case ReportPublication . Meira Goncalves, J; Polónia, P; Pereira, J; Silva, PAPituitary lymphoma is one of the rare variants of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), mostly arising due to the metastatic spread of systemic lymphoma. We report the case of a 69-year-old woman who initially presented to her family physician with a headache but without any other symptoms. The MRI scan revealed a sellar mass consistent with a pituitary macroadenoma. When the patient was referred to our hospital, two weeks later, the symptoms had progressed, comprising complete right-sided ophthalmoplegia and ptosis, with left-sided amaurosis. A repeat MRI revealed an increased size of the sellar mass, consistent with pituitary apoplexy. A right pterional craniotomy with partial resection of the mass was performed and an intraoperative frozen section biopsy was carried out. The final pathology revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. A systemic follow-up including a whole-body CT, bone marrow aspiration, and cerebrospinal fluid studies ruled out any systemic manifestation, and the patient was HIV-negative. The patient underwent treatment with methotrexate, cytarabine, thiotepa, and rituximab for PCNSL. Although rare, PCNSL can mimic pituitary apoplexy, which needs to be considered if conservative therapy or surgery is to be offered to a patient with a radiological and clinical diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy.
- Use of rectal balloon spacer in patients with localized prostate cancer receiving external beam radiotherapyPublication . Costa, P; Vale, J; Fonseca, G; Costa, A; Kos, MObjective: To evaluate the efficacy of the balloon spacer when used to reduce the radiation dose delivered to the rectum in prostate cancer patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy. Method: A single center retrospective analysis including 75 PC patients with localized T1-T3a disease who received balloon spacer followed by EBRT. Pre- and post-implantation computed tomography (CT) scans were utilized for treatment planning for standard EBRT (78-81 Gy in 1.8-2 Gy fractions). Rectal dosimetry was assessed using DVHs, and toxicities were graded with CTCAE v.4. Results: A median (IQR) prostate-rectum separation resulted in 1.6 cm (1.4-2.0) post balloon spacer implantation. Overall, 90.6 % (68/75) of patients had a clinically significant 25 % relative reduction in the rectal with a median relative reduction of 91.8 % (71.2-98.6 %) at rV70. Three (4.0 %) patients reported mild procedural adverse events, anal discomfort and dysuria. Within 90 days post-implantation, five patients (6.67 %) and 1 patient (1.33 %) reported grade 1 and grade 2 rectal toxicities (anal pain, constipation, diarrhea and hemorrhoids). Genitourinary (GU) grade 1 toxicity was reported in 37 patients (49.33 %), with only one patient (1.33 %) experiencing grade 2 GU toxicity. No grade ≥ 3 toxicity was reported. Conclusion: Balloon spacer implantation effectively increased prostate-rectum separation and associated with dosimetric gains EBRT for PC stage T1-T3a. Further controlled studies are required to ascertain whether this spacer allows for radiotherapy dose escalation and minimizes gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity.
- Measurement properties of the incremental step test for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional studyPublication . Gonçalves, T; Carlos Winck, J; Silva, F; Caneiras, C; Montes, AM; Vilarinho, RObjectives: The new incremental step test (IST) is a field test that was developed for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), based on the characteristics of the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT); however, its measurement properties still need to be determined. We aimed, first, to assess the construct validity (through the comparison with the ISWT), within-day reliability and measurement error of the IST in people with COPD; and, second, to identify whether the participants have a learning effect in the IST. Design: Cross-sectional study, conducted according to COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments guidelines. Setting: A family health unit in Portugal, April 2022 to June 2023. Participants and analysis: 63 participants (67.5±10.5 years) attended two sessions to perform two IST and two ISWT, separately. Spearman's correlations were used to compare the best performances between the IST and the ISWT. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) was used for reliability, and the SE of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change at 95% CI (MDC95) and Bland and Altman 95% limits of agreement (LoA) were used for measurement error. The learning effect was explored with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: The IST was significant and strongly correlated with the ISWT (0.72<ρ<0.74, p<0.001), presented an ICC2,1 of 0.95 (95% CI 0.92 to 0.97), SEM=11.7 (18.9%), MDC95=32.4 (52.2%) and the LoA were -33.61 to 31.48 for the number of steps. No difference was observed between the number of steps of the two attempts of the IST (p>0.05). Conclusions: The IST can be suggested as a valid and reliable test to assess exercise capacity in people with COPD, with no learning effect when two IST are performed on the same day. The measurement error of the IST is considered indeterminate.