Browsing by Author "Azevedo, J"
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- Asthma App Use and Interest Among Patients With Asthma: A Multicenter StudyPublication . Jácome, C; Almeida, R; Pereira, AM; Araújo, L; Correia, MA; Pereira, M; Couto, M; Lopes, C; Chaves Loureiro, C; Catarata, MJ; Santos, LM; Ramos, B; Mendes, A; Pedro, E; Cidrais Rodrigues, JC; Oliveira, G; Aguiar, AP; Arrobas, AM; Costa, J; Dias, J; Todo Bom, A; Azevedo, J; Ribeiro, C; Alves, M; Pinto, PL; Neuparth, N; Palhinha, A; Marques, JG; Martins, P; Trincão, D; Neves, A; Todo Bom, F; Santos, M A; Branco, J; Loyoza, C; Costa, A; Silva Neto, A; Silva, D; Vasconcelos, MJ; Teixeira, MF; Ferreira-Magalhães, M; Taborda Barata, L; Carvalhal, C; Santos, N; Sofia Pinto, C; Rodrigues Alves, R; Moreira, AS; Morais Silva, P; Fernandes, R; Ferreira, R; Alves, C; Câmara, R; Ferraz de Oliveira, J; Bordalo, D; Calix, MJ; Marques, A; Nunes, C; Menezes, F; Gomes, R; Almeida Fonseca, J
- Chlamydia Trachomatis: When the Virulence-Associated Genome Backbone Imports a Prevalence-Associated Major Antigen SignaturePublication . Borges, V; Cordeiro, D; Salas, AI; Lodhia, Z; Correia, C; Isidro, J; Fernandes, C; Rodrigues, AM; Azevedo, J; Alves, J; Roxo, J; Rocha, M; Côrte-Real, R; Vieira, L; Borrego, MJ; Gomes, JPChlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterium worldwide and the causative agent of trachoma. Its strains are classified according to their ompA genotypes, which are strongly linked to differential tissue tropism and disease outcomes [ocular disease, urogenital disease and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)]. While the genome-based species phylogenetic tree presents four main clades correlating with tropism/prevalence, namely ocular, LGV, urogenital T1 (more prevalent genotypes) and urogenital T2 (less prevalent genotypes), inter-clade exchange of ompA is considered a rare phenomenon probably mediating marked tropism alterations. An LGV epidemic, associated with the clonal expansion of the L2b genotype, has emerged in the last few decades, raising concerns particularly due to its atypical clinical presentation (ulcerative proctitis) and circulation among men who have sex with men (MSM). Here, we report an LGV outbreak, mostly affecting human immunodeficiency virus-positive MSM engaging in high-risk sexual practices, caused by an L2b strain with a rather unique non-LGV ompA signature that precluded the laboratory notification of this outbreak as LGV. C. trachomatis whole-genome capture and sequencing directly from clinical samples was applied to deeply characterize the genomic backbone of this novel LGV outbreak-causing clone. It revealed a chimeric genome structure due to the genetic transfer of ompA and four neighbouring genes from a serovar D/Da strain, likely possessing the genomic backbone associated with the more prevalent urogenital genotypes (T1 clade), to an LGV (L2b) strain. The hybrid L2b/D-Da strain presents the adhesin and immunodominant antigen MOMP (major outer membrane protein) (encoded by ompA) with an epitope repertoire typical of non-invasive genital strains, while keeping the genome-dispersed virulence fingerprint of a classical LGV strain. As previously reported for inter-clade ompA exchange among non-LGV clades, this novel C. trachomatis genomic mosaic involving a contemporary epidemiologically and clinically relevant LGV strain may have implications on its transmission, tissue tropism and pathogenic capabilities. The emergence of variants with epidemic and pathogenic potential highlights the need for more focused surveillance strategies to capture C. trachomatis evolution in action.
- Feasibility and Acceptability of an Asthma App to Monitor Medication Adherence: Mixed Methods StudyPublication . Jácome, C; Almeida, R; Pereira, AM; Amaral, R; Mendes, S; Alves-Correia, M; Vidal, C; López Freire, S; Méndez Brea, P; Araújo, L; Couto, M; Antolín-Amérigo, D; de la Hoz Caballer, B; Barra Castro, A; Gonzalez-De-Olano, D; Todo Bom, A; Azevedo, J; Leiria Pinto, P; Pinto, N; Castro Neves, A; Palhinha, Ana; Todo Bom, F; Costa, A; Chaves Loureiro, C; Maia Santos, L; Arrobas, A; Valério, M; Cardoso, J; Emiliano, M; Gerardo, R; Cidrais Rodrigues, JC; Oliveira, G; Carvalho, J; Mendes, A; Lozoya, C; Santos, N; Menezes, F; Gomes, R; Câmara, R; Rodrigues Alves, R; Moreira, AS; Bordalo, D; Alves, C; Ferreira, JA; Lopes, C; Silva, D; Vasconcelos, MJ; Teixeira, MF; Ferreira-Magalhães, M; Taborda-Barata, L; Cálix, MJ; Alves, A; Almeida Fonseca, JBackground: Poor medication adherence is a major challenge in asthma, and objective assessment of inhaler adherence is needed. The InspirerMundi app aims to monitor adherence while providing a positive experience through gamification and social support. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the InspirerMundi app to monitor medication adherence in adolescents and adults with persistent asthma (treated with daily inhaled medication). Methods: A 1-month mixed method multicenter observational study was conducted in 26 secondary care centers from Portugal and Spain. During an initial face-to-face visit, physicians reported patients' asthma therapeutic plan in a structured questionnaire. During the visits, patients were invited to use the app daily to register their asthma medication intakes. A scheduled intake was considered taken when patients registered the intake (inhaler, blister, or other drug formulation) by using the image-based medication detection tool. At 1 month, patients were interviewed by phone, and app satisfaction was assessed on a 1 (low) to 5 (high) scale. Patients were also asked to point out the most and least preferred app features and make suggestions for future app improvements. Results: A total of 107 patients (median 27 [P25-P75 14-40] years) were invited, 92.5% (99/107) installed the app, and 73.8% (79/107) completed the 1-month interview. Patients interacted with the app a median of 9 (P25-P75 1-24) days. At least one medication was registered in the app by 78% (77/99) of patients. A total of 53% (52/99) of participants registered all prescribed inhalers, and 34% (34/99) registered the complete asthma therapeutic plan. Median medication adherence was 75% (P25-P75 25%-90%) for inhalers and 82% (P25-P75 50%-94%) for other drug formulations. Patients were globally satisfied with the app, with 75% (59/79) scoring ≥4,; adherence monitoring, symptom monitoring, and gamification features being the most highly scored components; and the medication detection tool among the lowest scored. A total of 53% (42/79) of the patients stated that the app had motivated them to improve adherence to inhaled medication and 77% (61/79) would recommend the app to other patients. Patient feedback was reflected in 4 major themes: medication-related features (67/79, 85%), gamification and social network (33/79, 42%), symptom monitoring and physician communication (21/79, 27%), and other aspects (16/79, 20%). Conclusions: The InspirerMundi app was feasible and acceptable to monitor medication adherence in patients with asthma. Based on patient feedback and to increase the registering of medications, the therapeutic plan registration and medication detection tool were redesigned. Our results highlight the importance of patient participation to produce a patient-centered and engaging mHealth asthma app.
- Monitoring Adherence to Asthma Inhalers Using the InspirerMundi App: Analysis of Real-World, Medium-Term Feasibility StudiesPublication . Jácome, C; Almeida, R; Pereira, AM; Amaral, R; Vieira-Marques, P; Mendes, S; Alves-Correia, M; Ferreira, JA; Lopes, I; Gomes, J; Araújo, L; Couto, M; Chaves Loureiro, C; Maia Santos, L; Arrobas, A; Valério, M; Todo Bom, A; Azevedo, J; Teixeira, MF; Ferreira-Magalhães, M; Leiria Pinto, P; Pinto, N; Castro Neves, A; Morête, A; Todo Bom, F; Costa, A; Silva, D; Vasconcelos, MJ; Falcão, H; Marques, ML; Mendes, A; Cardoso, J; Cidrais Rodrigues, JC; Oliveira, G; Carvalho, J; Lozoya, C; Santos, N; Menezes, F; Gomes, R; Câmara, R; Rodrigues Alves, R; Moreira, AS; Abreu, C; Silva, R; Bordalo, D; Alves, C; Lopes, C; Taborda-Barata, L; Fernandes, RM; Ferreira, R; Chaves-Loureiro, C; Cálix, MJ; Alves, A; Almeida Fonseca, JBackground: Poor medication adherence is a major challenge in asthma and objective assessment of inhaler adherence is needed. InspirerMundi app aims to monitor inhaler adherence while turning it into a positive experience through gamification and social support. Objective: We assessed the medium-term feasibility of the InspirerMundi app to monitor inhaler adherence in real-world patients with persistent asthma (treated with daily inhaled medication). In addition, we attempted to identify the characteristics of the patients related to higher app use. Methods: Two real-world multicenter observational studies, with one initial face-to-face visit and a 4-month telephone interview, were conducted in 29 secondary care centers from Portugal. During an initial face-to-face visit, patients were invited to use the app daily to register their asthma medication intakes. A scheduled intake was considered taken when patients took a photo of the medication (inhaler, blister, or others) using the image-based medication detection tool. Medication adherence was calculated as the number of doses taken as a percentage of the number scheduled. Interacting with the app ≥30 days was used as the cut-off for higher app use. Results: A total of 114 patients {median 20 [percentile 25 to percentile 75 (P25-P75) 16-36] years, 62% adults} were invited, 107 (94%) installed the app and 83 (73%) completed the 4-month interview. Patients interacted with the app for a median of 18 [3-45] days, translated on a median use rate of 15 [3-38]%. Median inhaler adherence assessed through the app was 34 [4-73]% when considering all scheduled inhalations for the study period. Inhaler adherence assessed was not significantly correlated with self-reported estimates. Median adherence for oral and other medication was 41 [6-83]% and 43 [3-73]%, respectively. Patients with higher app use were slightly older (p = 0.012), more frequently taking medication for other health conditions (p = 0.040), and more frequently prescribed long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA, p = 0.024). After 4 months, Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) scores improved (p < 0.001), but no differences between patients interacting with the app for 30 days or less were seen. Conclusions: The InspirerMundi app was feasible to monitor inhaler adherence in patients with persistent asthma. The persistent use of this mHealth technology varies widely. A better understanding of characteristics related to higher app use is still needed before effectiveness studies are undertaken.
- Patient-Physician Discordance in Assessment of Adherence to Inhaled Controller Medication: a Cross-Sectional Analysis of Two CohortsPublication . Jácome, C; Pereira, AM; Almeida, R; Ferreira-Magalhaes, M; Couto, M; Araujo, L; Pereira, M; Alves Correia, M; Chaves Loureiro, C; Catarata, MJ; Maia Santos, L; Pereira, J; Ramos, B; Lopes, C; Mendes, A; Cidrais Rodrigues, JC; Oliveira, G; Aguiar, AP; Afonso, I; Carvalho, J; Arrobas, A; Coutinho Costa, J; Dias, J; Todo Bom, A; Azevedo, J; Ribeiro, C; Alves, M; Leiria Pinto, P; Neuparth, N; Palhinha, A; Gaspar Marques, J; Pinto, N; Martins, P; Todo Bom, F; Alvarenga Santos, M; Gomes Costa, A; Silva Neto, A; Santalha, M; Lozoya, C; Santos, N; Silva, D; Vasconcelos, MJ; Taborda-Barata, L; Carvalhal, C; Teixeira, MF; Rodrigues Alves, R; Moreira, AS; Sofia Pinto, C; Morais Silva, P; Alves, C; Câmara, R; Coelho, D; Bordalo, D; Fernandes, R; Ferreira, R; Menezes, F; Gomes, R; Calix, MJ; Marques, A; Cardoso, J; Emiliano, M; Gerardo, R; Nunes, C; Câmara, R; Ferreira, JA; Carvalho, A; Freitas, P; Correia, R; Fonseca, JOBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare patient's and physician's ratings of inhaled medication adherence and to identify predictors of patient-physician discordance. DESIGN: Baseline data from two prospective multicentre observational studies. SETTING: 29 allergy, pulmonology and paediatric secondary care outpatient clinics in Portugal. PARTICIPANTS: 395 patients (≥13 years old) with persistent asthma. MEASURES: Data on demographics, patient-physician relationship, upper airway control, asthma control, asthma treatment, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and healthcare use were collected. Patients and physicians independently assessed adherence to inhaled controller medication during the previous week using a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Discordance was defined as classification in distinct VAS categories (low 0-50; medium 51-80; high 81-100) or as an absolute difference in VAS scores ≥10 mm. Correlation between patients' and physicians' VAS scores/categories was explored. A multinomial logistic regression identified the predictors of physician overestimation and underestimation. RESULTS: High inhaler adherence was reported both by patients (median (percentile 25 to percentile 75) 85 (65-95) mm; 53% VAS>80) and by physicians (84 (68-95) mm; 53% VAS>80). Correlation between patient and physician VAS scores was moderate (rs=0.580; p<0.001). Discordance occurred in 56% of cases: in 28% physicians overestimated adherence and in 27% underestimated. Low adherence as assessed by the physician (OR=27.35 (9.85 to 75.95)), FEV1 ≥80% (OR=2.59 (1.08 to 6.20)) and a first appointment (OR=5.63 (1.24 to 25.56)) were predictors of underestimation. An uncontrolled asthma (OR=2.33 (1.25 to 4.34)), uncontrolled upper airway disease (OR=2.86 (1.35 to 6.04)) and prescription of short-acting beta-agonists alone (OR=3.05 (1.15 to 8.08)) were associated with overestimation. Medium adherence as assessed by the physician was significantly associated with higher risk of discordance, both for overestimation and underestimation of adherence (OR=14.50 (6.04 to 34.81); OR=2.21 (1.07 to 4.58)), while having a written action plan decreased the likelihood of discordance (OR=0.25 (0.12 to 0.52); OR=0.41 (0.22 to 0.78)) (R2=44%). CONCLUSION: Although both patients and physicians report high inhaler adherence, discordance occurred in half of cases. Implementation of objective adherence measures and effective communication are needed to improve patient-physician agreement.
- Recomendações para o Diagnóstico e Tratamento da Infeção Não Complicada por Chlamydia trachomatis (Não- Linfogranuloma Venéreo) em PortugalPublication . Andrade, P; Azevedo, J; Lisboa, C; Fernandes, C; Borrego, MJ; Borges-Costa, J; Reis, J; Santiago, F; Santos, A; Alves, JChlamydia trachomatis infection is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial infection in the world. Being associated with a large number of asymptomatic carriers, the diagnosis is frequently challenging and requires appropriate laboratory testing. In Portugal, the incidence of the disease has been consistently increasing in recent years, meaning that special awareness is required for case identification, contact tracing and application of appropriate treatments. These recommendations result from the adaptation of the international consensuses on the diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection to the Portuguese healthcare setting, with the aim of standardizing the clinical and laboratory approach to symptomatic and nonsymptomatic carriers of the disease.