Browsing by Author "Bernardino, V"
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- Calcinosis Universalis in Adult-Onset DermatomyositisPublication . Bernardino, V; Rodrigues, A; Panarra, A; Riso, N
- Case Report: Artifactual Hypoglycemia: A Condition That Should Not Be ForgottenPublication . Amaral, A; Palha, A; Bernardino, V; Silva-Nunes, JBackground: Hypoglycemia is uncommon in people who are not being treated for diabetes mellitus and, when present, the differential diagnosis is broad. Artifactual hypoglycemia describes discrepancy between low capillary and normal plasma glucose levels regardless of symptoms and should be considered in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon. Case presentation: A 46-year-old female patient with a history of a sleeve gastrectomy started complaining about episodes of lipothymias preceded by sweating, nausea, and dizziness. During one of these episodes, a capillary blood glucose was obtained with a value of 24 mg/dl. She had multiple emergency admissions with low-capillary glycemia. An exhaustive investigation for possible causes of hypoglycemia was made for 18 months. The 72h fasting test was negative for hypoglycemia. A Raynaud's phenomenon was identified during one appointment. Conclusion: Artifactual hypoglycemia has been described in various conditions including Raynaud's phenomenon, peripheral arterial disease, Eisenmenger syndrome, acrocyanosis, or hypothermia. With this case report, we want to reinforce the importance of being aware of this diagnosis to prevent anxiety, unnecessary treatment, and diagnostic tests.
- Clinical Presentation and Long-Term Outcomes of Systemic Sclerosis Portuguese Patients from a Single Centre Cohort: A EUSTAR Registration InitiativePublication . Vidal, C; Ruano, C; Bernardino, V; Lavado Carreira, P; Lladó, A; Santos, MC; Gruner, H; Panarra, A; Riso, N; Moraes-Fontes, MFINTRODUCTION: Systemic sclerosis is a complex disorder that requires systematic screening. Our objective is to report the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group centre affiliation and its impact in our clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The European Scleroderma Trials and Research group affiliation process, database update and current patient evaluation, with respect to demographic and clinical features. Cumulative mortality was analysed. RESULTS: We identified 19 female patients (which met all the American College of Rheumatology/ European League Against Rheumatism 2013 criteria for systemic sclerosis) under current follow-up, divided according to the LeRoy classification into diffuse cutaneous (n = 5), limited cutaneous (n = 11) and limited (n = 3) types, followed for a median period of 5, 12 and 6 years, respectively. Raynaud´s phenomenon and abnormal nailfold capillaries were universally present. Interstitial lung disease was absent in the limited cutaneous form but present in 100% of the diffuse subtype. Pitting scars were more common in the diffuse form. Active disease was also more frequent in the diffuse form, and most patients with active disease were treated with anti-endothelin receptor antagonists. Over 21 years (from 1994 to 2015) the mortality rate was 55% (n = 23/42). Age at time of death was significantly lower in the diffuse subtype. DISCUSSION: Our single centre cohort shares many features with larger and international reports and more specifically is in accordance with patient characteristics described in the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group registries. CONCLUSION: The European Scleroderma Trials and Research group registration motivated our systematic patient characterization and may be used as a tool for homogenous disease registries.
- Juvenile Dermatomyositis Forty Years On: Case ReportPublication . Rego de Figueiredo, I; Guerreiro Castro, S; Bernardino, V; Silva Nunes, J; Alves, P; Moraes-Fontes, MFWe present a case report of a 42 year old female, diagnosed at the age of 3 with Juvenile Dermatomyositis. The clinical course was severe and refractory to immunosuppressive therapy. Currently, she is mostly affected by severe muscle atrophy, large joint contractures, calcinosis, and a lipodystrophy associated metabolic syndrome with hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, high total testosterone and hepatic steatosis. She developed Hodgkin´s lymphoma in the course of her disease. Personalized therapeutic choices are discussed as regards juvenile dermatomyositis complications.
- Nailfold Capillaroscopy and Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases in Patients From a Portuguese Nailfold Capillaroscopy ClinicPublication . Bernardino, V; Rodrigues, A; Lladó, A; Panarra, ARaynaud's phenomenon (RP) is frequent in autoimmune connective tissue diseases (AICTD) and its approach includes nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC), as it is a non-invasive technique that permits direct visualization of the microcirculation. The aim of this study is to analyze and establish clinical correlations between NFC findings and particular aspects of autoimmune disorders. This is a retrospective study. Clinical data from patients attending our NFC clinic were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included AICTD previous diagnosis, which included systemic sclerosis (SSc), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren syndrome, inflammatory idiopathic myopathies (IIM), rheumatoid arthritis, undifferentiated connective tissue disease and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Videocap® version 3.0 biomicroscope was used. NFC score was determined. For statistics, SPSS software was utilized. 384 patients were included; most of them were women, with mean age of 47 years. RP was present in 91% of the patients, with greater prevalence in SSc and MCTD. Scleroderma pattern was the most prevalent NFC pattern, mainly in SSc, MCTD and IIM. Mean capillary density was reduced in IIM, SSc and MCTD. NFC score was worse in SSc, IIM and MCTD. In patients with AICTD, RP is related to microvascular damage and worse NFC score. NFC scleroderma pattern correlates with SSc classification criteria score. In MCTD, scleroderma pattern relates to myositis. SLE and APS reveal significant hemorrhages, but not related to APS antibodies. This study highlights the possible role of NFC as biomarker of AICTD, particularly in SSc and IIM.
- Raynaud's Phenomenon and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: the Possible Role of MicrocirculationPublication . Bernardino, V; Rodrigues, AC; Panarra, A