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Browsing by Author "Castro, C"

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  • Enablers, Barriers and Strategies to Build Resilience Among Cancer Survivors: a Qualitative Study Protocol
    Publication . Fernandes, JB; Domingos, J; Almeida, AS; Castro, C; Simões, A; Fernandes, S; Vareta, D; Bernardes, C; Fonseca, J; Vaz, C; Dias, AR; Fernandes, T; Godinho, C
    Cancer is a life-threatening illness affecting all dimensions of a person's health. Cancer survivors must build resilience to face this adversity and continue their life projects. The present study explores the enablers, barriers, and strategies to build resilience among cancer survivors. This qualitative, descriptive exploratory study will use purposive sampling to recruit cancer survivors and healthcare professionals from two hospital centers in Lisbon and Tagus Valley. Interviews will be conducted until data saturation occurs. Data analysis will be performed using an inductive content analysis process with the help of the QDA Miner Lite database. The findings from this study will generate knowledge that may help stakeholders to identify effective strategies to build resilience among cancer survivors. By implementing strategies to foster resilience, healthcare professionals can potentially promote positive adaptations to cancer by strengthening resilience enablers and reducing the impact of barriers.
    2023Journal article Open access Show more
  • Height Benefit of GnRH Agonists After Age 8 in a Portuguese Cohort of Central Precocious Puberty
    Publication . Castro, C; Espada, F; Leite, AL; Antunes, A; Robalo, B; Amaral, D; Galo, E; Castro, S; Ferreira, S; Limbert, C
    Objective: Idiopathic central precocious puberty (iCPP) is common in paediatric endocrinology. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) are safe, but the effect on final height and the ideal timing for treatment remains controversial. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of GnRHa on growth outcomes in girls with iCPP treated before and after the age of 8 years old. Design and patients: This retrospective longitudinal study evaluated data from Portuguese girls with iCPP who completed treatment between 2010 and 2021. Measurements: Auxological and clinical characteristics were compared according to age at treatment onset. Results: A cohort of 134 girls with iCPP, was divided into early treatment (ET) (<8 years, n = 48) and later treatment (LT) groups (≥8 years, n = 86). In both groups, most children presented with Tanner II and III. Tanner IV was more frequent in LT group (p = .003). At the end of treatment, predicted adult height increased in both groups (ET p = .032; LT p = .04) and bone age significantly slowed down in all participants (p = .008, p = .034). The height gain was greater in the ET group, but without significant differences (p = .065). Conclusions: Treatment with GnRHa improved final height in all girls with iCPP, even when initiated after 8 years. To achieve better outcomes, treatment should be provided promptly after diagnosis
    2023Journal article Open access Show more