Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2019-02-28"
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- Prescribing of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs to Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in PortugalPublication . Bigotte Vieira, M; Neves, JS; Baptista, RB; Leitão, L; Viegas Dias, C; Vicente, R; Nascimento, N; Leite, CC; Rocha, I; Magriço, RINTRODUCTION: Portugal presents the highest incidence of stage 5 chronic kidney disease in Europe. It is speculated that a high consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) may contribute to this high incidence. Our aim was to characterize the prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to patients with diabetes mellitus in Portugal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the national prescription database in triennium 2015 - 2017. In patients with diabetes mellitus, we evaluated the prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs according to age, gender and region of the patient and specialty of the prescribing physician. We evaluated the prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in all patients with diabetes mellitus, in patients with presumed renal impairment, and in those with concomitant prescription of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists. RESULTS: We analyzed 23 320 620 prescriptions, corresponding to 610 157 adults, including 104 306 patients with diabetes mellitus. The most prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were ibuprofen (20.1%), metamizole (14.7%), and diclofenac (11.4%). The prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was higher in females, in patients aged 51 - 70 years and in the Alentejo region. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed to 70.6% of patients with diabetes mellitus, from which 10.6% were prescribed ≥ 10 packages during the three years. Among patients with diabetes mellitus on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor antagonists and with presumed reduction in kidney function, 69.3% were prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and 11.5% were prescribed ≥ 10 packages during the three years. DISCUSSION: The level of prescribing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to patients with diabetes mellitus is high. The concern of reducing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prescription to patients already on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor antagonists and/or decreased renal function does not seem to exist. CONCLUSION: In Portugal, the level of prescribing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to patients with diabetes mellitus should be reduced, particularly in the subgroups identified with higher prescription and with higher risk of progression to stage 5 chronic kidney disease.
- Mandibular Resorption and Vocal Cord Paralysis: a Catastrophic Form of Systemic SclerosisPublication . Mendonça, P; Taulaigo, AV; Caetano, A; Moraes-Fontes, MFSudden respiratory distress in association with severe weight loss are unusual features of systemic sclerosis (SSc). We report the case of a 56-year-old Caucasian woman with a 9-year history of a diffuse form of SSc who presented with acute stridor due to vocal cord paralysis and required an emergency tracheostomy. She had sought medical attention only after 4 years of disease onset, presenting with a mask-like face, diffuse skin thickening, acro-osteolysis and severe interstitial lung disease. Even though skin tightness improved after immunosuppressive treatment, several spontaneous facial fractures and episodes of dysphagia and choking occurred in the years that followed. At the time of stridor, she was severely malnourished and a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was required for feeding. Permanent vocal cord damage in combination with severe loco-regional bone resorption resulted in severe disability and impaired nutrition. We hereby highlight the features of SSc for which therapy remains challenging.
- Experiência Inicial de um Programa de TAVI: Análise da Decisão Anestésica e sua EvoluçãoPublication . Martins, A; Castro, ML; Fragata, IIntrodução: A implantação percutânea de válvula aórtica constitui uma opção menos invasiva de substituição valvular. O número de procedimentos sob anestesia local com sedação tem vindo a crescer com o aumento da experiência da equipa e os acessos cada vez menos invasivos. O trabalho tem como objetivo a descrição da evolução da técnica anestésica utilizada nos doentes submetidos a implantação percutânea de válvula aórtica no nosso centro ao longo dos anos, e sua comparação. Material e Métodos: Estudo retrospetivo em 149 doentes consecutivos submetidos a implantação percutânea de válvula aórtica no Hospital de Santa Marta (janeiro de 2010 a dezembro de 2016). Os dados foram colhidos a partir dos registos peri-procedimento e estratificados de acordo com a técnica anestésica. Resultados: Da amostra recolhida, 57,0% dos doentes eram do sexo feminino, com mediana idade 82 [58 - 95] anos. A maioria dos doentes foi submetida a anestesia geral (68,5%). Verificou-se menor duração do procedimento (120 [60 - 285] vs 155 [30 - 360]) e menor número de doentes com necessidade de administração de vasopressores na implantação percutânea de válvula aórtica (61,8% vs 28,3%) – p < 0,05. Não se registaram diferenças referentes à duração do internamento (9 [4 - 59] vs 10 [3 - 87]), complicações periprocedimento (66,0% vs 72,5%), reinternamento (4,3% vs 3,9%), mortalidade aos 30 dias (2,1% vs 4,9%) e 1 ano (6,4% vs 7,8%) – p > 0,05. O número de implantações percutâneas de válvula aórtica realizados sob anestesia local com sedação aumentou ao longo dos anos. Discussão: A escolha da técnica anestésica tende a variar consoante as características do doente, a experiência e preferência da equipa. Conclusão: Os resultados da anestesia local com sedação são similares aos da anestesia geral, tendo o aumento do número de procedimentos de implantação percutânea de válvula aórtica sob anestesia local com sedação acompanhado a tendência de menor invasibilidade do procedimento.
- Chronic Urticaria in the Real-Life Clinical Practice Setting in Portugal: Baseline Results from the Non-Interventional Multicentre AWARE StudyPublication . Costa, C; Rosmaninho, I; Guilherme, A; Ferreira, J; Antunes, J; Pina, A; Prates, S; Gaspar-Marques, J; Azevedo, F; Cunha, AP; Brito, C; Massa, A; Sousa, JT; Velho, GC; Raposo, I; Pinto, GM; Sousa, Vi; Martins, ARThere is a paucity of information regarding chronic urticaria patients' care in a real-world setting. The objective of this study was to report and evaluate the baseline characteristics of Portuguese chronic urticaria patients refractory to H1-antihistamines included in the AWARE study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a non-interventional cohort study. Adult patients with a diagnosis of chronic urticaria with symptoms for at least two months, refractory to H1-antihistamines, consulting one of the 10 participating urticaria centers throughout Portugal have been included in the study. Baseline sociodemographic data, medical history, clinical parameters, medication, weekly urticaria activity score, and dermatology quality of life index have been collected. RESULTS: Seventy six patients were included, of which 76.3% were women. The majority of patients had a diagnosis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (88.2%) and 39.5% had angioedema. Around 91.0% of patients were medicated with non-sedative H1-antihistamines and 35.4% with a third line therapy. Median dermatology quality of life index was 5.0 and median weekly urticaria activity score was 13.0. DISCUSSION: The baseline results suggest that patients with chronic urticaria refractory to H1-antihistamines are being under-treated in the real-world setting. CONCLUSION: The AWARE study demonstrates the real impact of chronic urticaria on Portuguese patients refractory to H1-antihistamines treatment, and 30% report a very large or extremely large deleterious effect on their quality of life. The follow-up of these patients will allow evaluating strategies aimed at optimizing disease control.
- H Factor Deficiency: A Case with an Atypical PresentationPublication . Rocha, AP; Borges, M; Neves, C; Neves, JFWe report a case of an 18-month-old boy with H factor deficiency with atypical presentation: recurrent acute otitis media and several maternal family members with autoimmune disorders (vitiligo, thyroiditis and immune trombocytopenia). Blood tests revealed low C3 and AH50, as well as low properdin and H factor. I factor was normal. CFH gene molecular test confirmed the H factor deficiency diagnosis. This child had none of the typical manifestations of this disorder, namely Neisseria meningitidis infection or renal disease (glomerulonephritis and atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome). Autoimmune family history and correct interpretation of blood tests' results were crucial for this diagnosis.