Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-07"
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- Heart with Mozambique: a Portuguese Contribution to the Eradication of Rheumatic Heart DiseasePublication . Grácio de Almeida, I; Esteves, A; Gil, V
- Biochemical and Anthropometric Outcomes in Paediatric Patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia after COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns: An Exploratory AnalysisPublication . Peres, M; Moreira-Rosário, A; Padeira, G; Gaspar Silva, P; Correia, C; Nunes, A; Garcia, E; Faria, A; Teixeira, D; Calhau, C; Pereira-da-Silva, L; Ferreira, AC; César Rocha, JThe COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns affected the lifestyles of children and adolescents, leading to an increase in childhood obesity. Paediatric patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) may be more susceptible to lockdown effects due to their increased cardiovascular risk. However, data are lacking. We investigated the effect of lockdowns on the metabolic profile of paediatric patients with FH. Blood lipids and anthropometry measured in September 2021-April 2022 were retrospectively compared with pre-pandemic values. Thirty participants were included (1-16 years; 57% female). From baseline to post-pandemic, median [P25, P75] blood LDL-C concentration was 125 [112, 150] mg/dL vs. 125 [100, 147] mg/dL (p = 0.894); HDL-C was 58 [52, 65] mg/dL vs. 56 [51, 61] mg/dL (p = 0.107); triglycerides were 64 [44, 86] mg/dL vs. 59 [42, 86] mg/dL (p = 0.178). The BMI z-score did not change significantly (0.19 [-0.58, 0.89] vs. 0.30 [-0.48, 1.10], p = 0.524). The lack of deterioration in metabolic profiles during lockdowns is positive, as some deterioration was expected. We speculate that patients and caregivers were successfully educated about healthy lifestyle and dietary habits. Our results should be interpreted with caution since the study sample was small and heterogeneous. Multicentre research is needed to better understand the impact of lockdowns on this population.
- Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Behavioral Factors Associated With Sexual Transmitted Infection Among HIV-1 Positive Migrants in Portugal: Are There Differences Between Sexes?Publication . Miranda, M; Pimentel, V; Graça, J; Seabra, S; Sebastião, C; Diniz, A; Faria, D; Teófilo, E; Roxo, F; Maltez, F; Germano, I; Oliveira, J; Ferreira, J; Poças, J; Mansinho, K; Mendão, L; Gonçalves, MJ; Mouro, M; Marques, N; Pacheco, P; Proença, P; Tavares, R; Correia de Abreu, R; Serrão, R; Faria, T; O. Martins, MR; Gomes, P; Abecasis, A; Pingarilho, MIntroduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to occur at high levels. According to the WHO, each year there are an estimated 374 million new infections with syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. STIs are associated with an increased risk of acquiring HIV infection. Migrants are reportedly highly affected by STIs. Objectives: This study aims to characterize factors associated with STIs in a population of HIV-positive migrants living in Portugal. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study of 265 newly diagnosed HIV-1 positive migrants, who were defined as individuals born outside Portugal. This group of people were part of the BESTHOPE study that was developed in 17 Portuguese hospitals between September 2014 and December 2019, and included information collected through sociodemographic and behavioral questionnaires filled in by the migrant patients, clinical questionnaires filled in by the clinicians and HIV-1 genomic sequences generated through resistance testing (Sanger sequencing). A multivariable statistical analysis was used to analyze the association between sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, HIV testing and sexual infections. Results: Most HIV-1 positive individuals included in the study were men (66.8%) and aged between 25 and 44 years old (59.9%). Men had a higher proportion of STIs when compared to women (40.4% vs. 14.0%) and the majority of men reported homosexual contacts (52.0%). Most men reported having had two or more occasional sexual partners in the previous year (88.8%) and 50.9% reported always using condoms with occasional partners, while 13.2% never used it. For regular partners, only 29.5% of the women reported using condoms, compared to 47.3% of men. Other risk behaviors for acquiring HIV, such as tattooing and performing invasive medical procedures, were more prevalent in men (38.0% and 46.2%, respectively), when compared to women (30.4% and 45.1% respectively) and 4.7% of men reported having already shared injectable materials, with no data for comparison in the case for women. Additionally, 23.9% of women reported having had a blood transfusion while only 10.3% of men reported having had this medical procedure. Meanwhile, 30.9% of the individuals reported having been diagnosed with some type of STI in the last 12 months. In addition, 43.3% of individuals that answered a question about hepatitis reported to be infected with hepatitis B, while 13.0% reported having hepatitis C infection. According to the multivariable analysis, the only transmission route was significantly associated with reports of previous STI infection: men who have sex with men (MSM) were 70% more likely to have been diagnosed with an STI in the past 12 months compared to the heterosexual route. Conclusion: HIV-1 infected men were more likely to report previous STIs than women. On the other hand, most migrant women had a regular sexual partner and never or only sometimes used condoms. This somewhat discrepant findings suggest that gender inequalities may make women unable to negotiate safe sexual practices, resulting in increased susceptibility to infection. However, since migrant women report less STIs, we cannot exclude that these STIs may remain undiagnosed. The implementation of safer sex awareness campaigns for condom use and screening for STIs in women is crucial. On the other hand, health education campaigns for STI knowledge need to be implemented for both MSM and women and their partners.
- Comparison of Outcomes of Immunosuppressive Therapy with Rabbit versus Horse Antithymocyte Globulin and Cyclosporine a in Children with Acquired Severe Aplastic Anemia.Publication . Yoshimi, Ayami; Noellke, Peter; Starý, Jan; Kállay, Krisztián; Smith, Owen; Locatelli, Franco; Buechner, Jochen; Bodova, Ivana; Sevilla, Julian; Schmugge, Markus; Bierings, Marc; Masmas, Tania; Dworzak, Michael; Labarque, Veerle; Pawelec, Katarzyna; Jahnukainen, Kirsi; Polychronopoulou, Sophia; Kjollerstrom, Paula; Kavcic, Marko; Erlacher, Miriam; Niemeyer, Charlotte M; Strahm, Brigitte
- Outcomes and Differences by Occluded Vessel after Endovascular Thrombectomy for Isolated Medium Vessel OcclusionsPublication . Matsukawa, Hidetoshi; Uchida, Kazutaka; Cunningham, Conor; Sowlat, Mohammad-Mahdi; Elawady, Sameh Samir; Maier, Ilko; Jabbour, Pascal; Kim, Joon-Tae; Wolfe, Stacey Quintero; Rai, Ansaar; Starke, Robert; Psychogios, Marios-Nikos; Shaban, Amir; Arthur, Adam; Cuellar, Hugo; Howard, Brian; Alawieh, Ali; Romano, Daniele; Tanweer, Omar; Mascitelli, Justin; Fragata, Isabel; Polifka, Adam; Osbun, Joshua; Crosa, Roberto; Matouk, Charles; Park, Min; Brinjikji, Waleed; Moss, Mark; Williamson, Richard; Navia, Pedro; Kan, Peter; Leacy, Reade; Chowdhry, Shakeel; Ezzeldin, Mohamad; Spiotta, Alejandro; Levitt, Michael; Yoshimura, Shinichi; Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry (STAR) Collaborators; ElsevierBackground: The outcomes of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for medium vessel occlusions (MeVOs) of specific vascular territories remain unknown. We aimed to investigate EVT outcomes by MeVO locations using the data from an ongoing international multicenter registry. Methods: Patients with isolated MeVO who underwent EVT between January 2013 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Isolated MeVO was defined as an occlusion of the A2 or A3 (A2/A3), M2 or M3, and P2 or P3 (P2/P3). Outcomes included a 90-day modified Rankin score (mRS) of 0-2, successful recanalization (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score ≥ 2b), early neurological deterioration (END) or improvement (ENI), and 90-day mortality. END was defined as a worsening of ≥4 points from the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score within 24 h of EVT, while ENI was defined as an improvement of ≥4 points from the baseline NIHSS score within 24 h of EVT. Results: 1744 MeVOs included. Compared to M2 occlusions (n = 1542, 88.4%), A2/A3 (n = 36, 2.1%) occlusions had lower odds of 90-day mRS 0-2 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11-0.80), and P2/P3 occlusions (n = 49, 2.8%) had lower odds of successful recanalization (aOR 0.19, 95% CI 0.07-0.50), and higher odds of END (aOR 3.53, 95% CI 1.35-9.25). Other outcomes showed no significant differences. Conclusions: A2/A3 occlusions were more likely to have worse outcomes compared to M2 occlusions after EVT for patients with isolated MeVOs.
- Health-Illness Transition Processes in Children with Complex Chronic Conditions and their Parents: a Scoping Review.Publication . Loura, David; Ferreira, Ana Margarida; Romeiro, Joana; Charepe, ZaidaBackground: The prevalence of complex chronic conditions (CCC), which cause serious limitations and require specialized care, is increasing. The diagnosis of a CCC is a health-illness transition for children and their parents, representing a long-term change leading to greater vulnerability. Knowing the characteristics of these transitional processes is important for promoting safe transitions in this population. This scoping review aimed to map the available evidence on health-illness transition processes in children with complex chronic conditions and their parents in the context of healthcare. Methods: Six databases were searched for studies focusing on children aged 0-21 years with CCC and their parents experiencing health-illness transition processes, particularly concerning adaptation to illness and continuity of care, in the context of healthcare. Studies within this scope carried out between 2013 and 2023 and written in Portuguese or English were identified. The articles were selected using the PRISMA methodology. The data were extracted to an instrument and then presented with a synthesizing approach supporting the interpretation of the results. Results: Ninety-eight methodologically broad but predominantly qualitative articles were included in this review. Children with CCC have specific needs associated with complex and dynamic health-illness transitions with a multiple influence in their daily lives. Several facilitating factors (p.e. positive communication and a supportive therapeutic relationship with parents and professionals, as well as involvement in a collaborative approach to care), inhibiting factors (p.e. the complexity of the disease and therapeutic regime, as well as the inefficient organization and coordination of teams) and both positive (p.e. well-being and better quality of life) and negative response patterns (p.e. negative feelings about the chronic illness) were identified. Some interventions to support the transitional process also emerged from the literature. Pediatric palliative care is seen as a good practice and an integrative approach for these children and families. Conclusion: Health professionals play a fundamental role in supporting the transitional process and promoting positive response patterns. More significant investment is needed at the clinical and academic levels regarding production and dissemination of knowledge in this area to ensure the awareness of children with CCC and that their needs are fully enhanced.