LOCUS (LOng Covid-Understanding Symptoms, events and use of services in Portugal): A three-component study protocol.

Approximately 10% of patients experience symptoms of Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC) after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Akin acute COVID-19, PCC may impact a multitude of organs and systems, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems. The frequency and associated risk factors of PCC are still unclear among both community and hospital settings in individuals with a history of COVID-19.

Chorea as a Manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with multisystemic manifestations, including central nervous system involvement. Chorea is a hyperkinetic movement disorder, characterized by involuntary, dance-like and poorly coordinated movements. Acute-onset chorea is a rare neuropsychiatric inaugural manifestation of SLE.

Awareness of sex and gender dimensions among physicians: the European federation of internal medicine assessment of gender differences in Europe (EFIM-IMAGINE) survey.

Sociocultural gender is a complex construct encompassing different aspects of individuals' life, whereas sex refers to biological factors. These terms are often misused, although they impact differently on individuals' health. Recognizing the role of sex and gender on health status is fundamental in the pursuit of a personalized medicine.

The UriCath study: characterization of the use of indwelling urinary catheters among hospitalized older patients in the Internal Medicine Departments of Portugal.

Purpose: Approximately 25% of older inpatients have an indwelling urinary catheter (IUC), 45-54% unnecessarily. This study aims to describe the prevalence, indications, and complications of IUC use in Portuguese older inpatients.

Methods: Multicentric, cross-sectional, observational study conducted in Portuguese internal medicine wards (UriCath).

Serum markers of B-cell activation in pregnancy during late gestation, delivery, and the postpartum period.

Problem: B cells are vital for the normal evolution of pregnancy due to their humoral and possible regulatory activities. Our group and others have documented that circulating B-cell subsets undergo changes from normal late pregnancy to the postpartum period. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.

Looking for the Perfect Mentor.

Introduction: The authors established the profile of the Internal Medicine clinical teachers in Portugal aiming to define a future interventional strategy plan as adequate as possible to the target group and to the problems identified by the residents.

Material And Methods: Observational, transversal, analytic study. An online anonymous questionnaire was defined, evaluating the demographic characteristics of the clinical teachers, their path in Internal Medicine and their involvement in the residents learning process.

Belimumab in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the most challenging autoimmune disorders with a complex pathophysiology and diverse clinical presentation. Many drugs have been used to treat SLE with suboptimal results, especially in patients with moderate-to-severe disease. Belimumab is the first biological drug to be approved for the treatment of SLE in more than 50 years.

What can we learn from systemic lupus erythematosus pathophysiology to improve current therapy?

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder that can affect every organ system and cause a wide range of signs and symptoms. The precise pathogenic mechanism of disease remains uncertain, but it is clearly complex and involves the activation and deregulation of many components of the immune system. Certain well-characterized patterns of immune pathology are shared by a significant subset of patients and selective targeting of one or more of the key immune system molecules offers the prospect of more effective treatment.

B-cell survival factors in autoimmune rheumatic disorders.

Autoimmune rheumatic disorders have complex etiopathogenetic mechanisms in which B cells play a central role. The importance of factors stimulating B cells, notably the B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and A proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) axis is now recognized. BAFF and APRIL are cytokines essential for B-cell proliferation and survival from the immature stages to the development of plasma cells.