Browsing by Author "Carvalho, A"
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- Adult Pancreatoblastoma - Case Report and Review of LiteraturePublication . Vilaverde, F; Reis, A; Rodrigues, P; Carvalho, A; Scigliano, HMost cases of pancreatoblastoma, a rare malignant epithelial tumor of the pancreas, are seen in the pediatric population. The rarity of pancreatoblastoma, the similar radiologic findings to those seen in other pancreatic lesions, and its histopathologic heterogeneity, make its preoperative diagnosis in adults a real challenge. We report ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging correlative findings of a histologically proven pancreatoblastoma in a 37-year-old woman. Pancreatoblastoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a pancreatic mass presenting uncommon imaging features.
- Clinical Outcomes and Genetic Expression Profile in Human Liver Graft Dysfunction During Ischemia/Reperfusion InjuryPublication . Paulino, J; Vigia, E; Marcelino, P; Abade, O; Sobral, J; Ligeiro, D; Carvalho, A; Alves, M; Papoila, AL; Trindade, H; Barroso, EIntroduction. This study aims to compare the molecular gene expression during ischemia reperfusion injury. Several surgical times were considered: in the beginning of the harvesting (T0), at the end of the cold ischemia period (T1), and after reperfusion (T2) and compared with graft dysfunction after liver transplant (OLT). Methods. We studied 54 patients undergoing OLT. Clinical, laboratory data, and histologic data (Suzuki classification) as well as the Survival Outcomes Following Liver Transplantation (SOFT) score were used and compared with the molecular gene expression of the following genes: Interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-a, perforin, E-selectin (SELE), Fas-ligand, granzyme B, heme oxygenase-1, and nitric oxide synthetase. Results. Fifteen patients presented with graft dysfunction according to SOFT criteria. No relevant data were obtained by comparing the variables graft dysfunction and histologic variables. We observed a statistically significant relation between SELE at T0 (P ¼ .013) and IL-1b at T0 (P ¼ .028) and early graft dysfunction. Conclusions. We conclude that several genetically determined proinflammatory expressions may play a critical role in the development of graft dysfunction after OLT.
- Fulminant Hepatitis E in a Pregnant WomanPublication . Velosa, M; Figueiredo, A; Glória, H; Mateus, E; Neves, Z; Araújo, A; Carvalho, A; Oliveira, J; Barroso, EHepatitis E is an inflammatory liver disease caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection, which is endemic in China, India, Nepal, and in several Asian and African countries, where the prevalence can be as high as 50%. In non-endemic countries, an increasing number of non-travel associated HEV has been reported in recent years, particularly in Europe. The authors describe the clinical case of a puerperal 24-year-old woman from Pakistan admitted to our Tertiary Care Medical Center with acute hepatic failure developed during the third trimester of her pregnancy. She was icteric with grade III encephalopathy and hypothermia. Laboratory values showed significant AST, ALT and LDH elevations of twelve times the upper normal limit, and total bilirubin was significantly elevated (41.20 mg/dL). Prothrombin time was prolonged (4 s) and factor V activity was diminished (15.1%). Extracorporeal albumin dialysis was initiated, but clinical deterioration occurred within 48 h, so she underwent OLT at day 4 post-admission. Severe forms of HEV are known to be more pronounced in pregnant women. Even though most of the described cases of acute hepatic failure associated to HEV during pregnancy had a favorable clinical course, some cases of fulminant liver failure and death are described. It is unknown whether liver transplant outcomes in this setting are different from other causes of acute liver failure. To our knowledge, this is the first case report in Portugal from a pregnant woman who developed hepatic failure due to fulminant hepatitis E that underwent successful liver transplantation.
- Hiperglicinémia Não Cetótica: A Propósito de Dois Casos Tratados com Dextrometorfano e Benzoato de SódioPublication . Pereira-da-Silva, L; Carvalho, A; Videira-Amaral, J; Sequeira, S; Cabral, P; Gonçalves, H; Serrano, A; Galha, H; Cabral, AA hiperglicinémia não cetótica é um erro inato da degradação da glicina, resultando na sua excessiva acumulação nos tecidos corporais, designadamente no sistema nervoso central. Trata-se de uma doença muito grave e uma das terapêuticas recentemente propostas consiste na associação do dextrometorfano com o benzoato de sódio em altas doses. Admite-se a possibilidade de o dextrometorfano bloquear o complexo-canal receptor de N-metil-D-aspartato, implicado na toxicidade da hiperglicinémia ao nível do cérebro e de o benzoato reduzir os níveis de glicina, pela sua conjugação e eliminação como hipurato. Relatamos dois casos clínicos de crianças com hiperglicinémia não cetótita, actualmente com mais de 15 meses de idade, as quais foram medicadas com dextrometorfano e benzoato de sódio desde as primeiras semanas após o parto. Não obstante se ter verificado sobrevivência para além do período neonatal e aquisição de autonomia respiratória, a evolução neurológica, até à data, não tem sido satisfatória, porventura devido ao atraso no início da terapêutica.
- Improving Influenza Surveillance in Portuguese Preschool Children by Parents' ReportPublication . Paixão, P; Piedade, C; Papoila, AL; Caires, I; Pedro, C; Santos, M; Silvestre, MJ; Brum, L; Nunes, B; Guiomar, R; Curran, M; Carvalho, A; Marques, T; Neuparth, NInfluenza surveillance is usually based on nationally organized sentinel networks of physicians and on hospital reports. This study aimed to test a different report system, based on parents' phone contact to the research team and in home collection of samples by a dedicated team. The identification of influenza and other respiratory viruses in children who attended a Hospital Emergency Department was also recorded. Real-time PCR and reverse transcription PCR were performed for influenza A and B, parainfluenza 1-4, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus A and B, rhinovirus, enterovirus, group 1 coronaviruses, group 2 coronaviruses, and human bocavirus. One hundred children were included, 64 from the day care centers and 36 from the Hospital. Overall, 79 samples were positive for at least one respiratory virus. Influenza A (H3) was the virus most frequently detected: 25 cases, 20 of these in children under 5 years of age (ten from day care centers and ten who went to the hospital) which was higher than those reported by the National Influenza Surveillance Programme for this age. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study suggest that a surveillance system based on parents' reports could complement the implanted system of the National Influenza Surveillance Programme.
- Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumour of the Common Bile DuctPublication . Almeida e Sousa, M; Carvalho, A; Mega, R; Bilhim, TInflammatory myofibroblastic tumour is a rare entity of indeterminate biological potential with a reduced tendency for recurrence and metastasis. Although it can arise from multiple organs, the bile duct is a very rare site of origin. We report the case of a 75-year-old asymptomatic male with elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase [1575 U/L (12 - 64 U/L)] and alkaline phosphatase [271 U/L (40 - 150 U/L)]. Computed tomography showed a 17 mm hypervascular lesion in the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts, with bile duct ectasia and right liver lobe atrophy. The patient was initially managed as having a Klatskin tumour and underwent right hepatectomy. Histology showed a spindle cell proliferation with an inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes, plasma cells and collagen-rich stroma, consistent with an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour. He was discharged 30 days after admission, and nine months later remains asymptomatic. His liver function tests have normalized and follow-up tests are unremarkable.
- Nationwide Access to Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in PortugalPublication . Carvalho Dias, M; Soares dos Reis, R; Santos, JV; Paiva Nunes, A; Ferreira, P; Maia, B; Fragata, I; Reis, J; Ramos Lopes, J; Cruz, L; Santo, G; Machado, E; Gabriel, D; Felgueiras, R; Dória, H; Carneiro, A; Correia, M; Veloso, LM; Barros, P; Gregório, T; Carvalho, A; Ribeiro, M; Teotónio, P; Neto, L; Pinho e Melo, T; Canhão, P; Filipe, JP; Moreira, G; Azevedo, E; Silva, ML; Campos Costa, E; Oliveira, G; Pereira, L; Neves, L; Rodrigues, M; Marto, JP; Calado, S; Grenho, F; Branco, G; Baptista, T; Rocha, J; Ferreira, C; Pinho, J; Amorim, JM; Araújo, JM; Neiva, RM; Viana, J; Lobo, M; Freitas, A; Tedim Cruz, V; Sargento-Freitas, J; Castro Lopes, JIntroduction: Since the publication of endovascular treatment trials and European Stroke Guidelines, Portugal has re-organized stroke healthcare. The nine centers performing endovascular treatment are not equally distributed within the country, which may lead to differential access to endovascular treatment. Our main aim was to perform a descriptive analysis of the main treatment metrics regarding endovascular treatment in mainland Portugal and its administrative districts. Material and methods: A retrospective national multicentric cohort study was conducted, including all ischemic stroke patients treated with endovascular treatment in mainland Portugal over two years (July 2015 to June 2017). All endovascular treatment centers contributed to an anonymized database. Demographic, stroke-related and procedure-related variables were collected. Crude endovascular treatment rates were calculated per 100 000 inhabitants for mainland Portugal, and each district and endovascular treatment standardized ratios (indirect age-sex standardization) were also calculated. Patient time metrics were computed as the median time between stroke onset, first-door, and puncture. Results: A total of 1625 endovascular treatment procedures were registered. The endovascular treatment rate was 8.27/100 000 inhabitants/year. We found regional heterogeneity in endovascular treatment rates (1.58 to 16.53/100 000/year), with higher rates in districts closer to endovascular treatment centers. When analyzed by district, the median time from stroke onset to puncture ranged from 212 to 432 minutes, reflecting regional heterogeneity. Discussion: Overall endovascular treatment rates and procedural times in Portugal are comparable to other international registries. We found geographic heterogeneity, with lower endovascular treatment rates and longer onset-to-puncture time in southern and inner regions. Conclusion: The overall national rate of EVT in the first two years after the organization of EVT-capable centers is one of the highest among European countries, however, significant regional disparities were documented. Moreover, stroke-onset-to-first-door times and in-hospital procedural times in the EVT centers were comparable to those reported in the randomized controlled trials performed in high-volume tertiary hospitals.
- One Year of Lamivudine Therapy for Portuguese Patients with Chronic Hepatitis BPublication . Areias, J; Calinas, F; Porto, A; Carvalho, A; Freitas, D; Macedo, G; Noronha, R; Cotter, J; Meliço-Silvestre, A; Peixe, R; Pratas, J; Barrote, D; Teixeira, R; Augusto, F; Carrilho, I; Campante, F; Velosa, J; Carvalho, L; Duarte, MA; Guerreiro, H; Pires, C; Silva, A; Cotrim, I; Guedes, F; Tomé, L; Marcelino, M; Gonçalves, C; Ferreira, E; Matos, L; Peixe, P; Esteves, J; Valente, T; Simões, C; Marinho, C; Jasmins, L; Vieira, MJ; Marinho, R; Matos, P; Estevens, J; Carrasquinho, J; Salcedo, G; Parada, P; Teixeira, COBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of lamivudine treatment on hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and/or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroconversion, on other virological and serological markers of response including hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and serum aminotransferases, and the safety of lamivudine treatment in hepatitis B patients. PATIENTS: This phase III open-label study evaluated the virological and biochemical response to lamivudine in 70 Portuguese patients with HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B. Patients were treated with lamivudine 100mg once daily for 12 months. METHODS: Antiviral activity was assessed by measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels at all protocol visits, and hepatitis B serology and HBV DNA were performed at baseline and at month 12 visits. Evaluation of safety and tolerance was based on clinical adverse events and laboratory analyses. RESULTS: The primary endpoint was virological response at month 12, defined as loss of detectable HBeAg from serum with a reduction of HBV DNA to undetectable levels, and this was observed in 19/69 (27.5%) of patients. Almost half of the patients were HBV DNA negative by this time. Mean ALT values decreased steadily during treatment and by 12 months 61% of patients had values within the normal range. HBeAg seroconversion (HBeAg negative, HBeAb positive) was achieved in 27.9% of patients by 12 months, although all patients remained HBsAg positive. CONCLUSION: Lamivudine was well tolerated and the incidence of adverse events was similar to those reported in previous studies. Lamivudine treatment resulted in virological and biochemical improvements in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients, with HBeAg seroconversion in one-third of patients.
- 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.
- Prescrição de Psicofármacos em Crianças e Adolescentes - Como é que os Pedopsiquiatras Portugueses Percecionam a sua Prática?Publication . Santos, C; Carreira, A; Carvalho, A; Menezes, B; Filipe, C; Tavares de Almeida, C; Miranda, C; Oliveira, G; Santos, I; Crujo, M; Barrias, P; Freitas, P; Pedroso, SIntrodução: Embora tenha havido, recentemente, um interesse crescendo em relação à prescrição de psicofármacos em crianças e adolescentes, há muito pouca informação sobre esta prática em Portugal. Neste contexto, a Direção Geral de Saúde promoveu a criação de um grupo de estudo que se debruçasse sobre este tema. Este trabalho surge como a primeira iniciativa deste grupo para procurar compreender o fenómeno da prescrição de psicofármacos em crianças e adolescentes em Portugal. Metodologia: Foi desenhado um questionário especificamente para o estudo referido. Os resultados foram obtidos através de uma análise quantitativa. Embora este questionário fosse muito extenso, este artigo foca-se apenas nas perguntas relacionadas com o recurso à associação de psicofármacos para o tratamento de doenças psiquiátricas e nas questões relacionadas com a pressão para a prescrição. Resultados: Os médicos que participaram neste estudo referiram sentir-se pressionados para medicar por falta de outros recursos. Esta pressão foi superior nas Perturbações do Comportamento (P. Comportamento) e na Perturbação de Hiperatividade e Défice de Atenção (PHDA), e menos marcada nas Perturbações Depressivas e nas Perturbações Psicóticas. Curiosamente, o recurso à associação de psicofármacos foi também mais frequente nas P. Comportamento e menos frequente nas P. Psicóticas. Conclusões: De acordo com este estudo, a falta de recursos influencia muito a decisão para prescrever. Estes resultados limitam-se apenas à perceção que os clínicos têm sobre a sua prática. Desta forma, serão necessários mais estudos para compreender melhor o uso de psicofármacos em Portugal e para aumentar a sensibilização para este tema.