Comparison of the differential effect of participation in breast cancer screening program versus opportunistic screening or symptomatic detection on tumour characteristics.

Objectives: The success of a breast cancer screening program is highly dependent on adherence. We aimed to compare the differential effect of participation in breast cancer screening program versus opportunistic screening or symptomatic detection on tumour characteristics.

Methods: We included women referred to our Breast Centre in 2015-2021: 321 from the breast cancer screening group (group 1) and 422 through opportunistic screening or due to symptomatic detection (group 2).

The Impact of Cholecystectomy in Patients with Post-Bariatric Surgery Hypoglycemia.

Background: Metabolic surgery is the foremost treatment for obesity and its associated medical conditions. Nonetheless, post-bariatric hypoglycemia (PBH) emerges as a prevalent complication. PBH pathophysiology implicates heightened insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) levels, with bile acids (BA) contributing to GLP-1 release.

Omission of axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer patients with micrometastasis or isolated tumor cells in sentinel lymph nodes: a 12-year experience in a tertiary breast unit.

Introduction: After the IBCSG 23-01 trial, our breast center no longer performed axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) after detection of isolated tumor cells (ITC) or micrometastasis in the sentinel lymph nodes (SLN). A recent study suggested that up to half of the patients with micrometastasis in the SLN could benefit from ALND in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Methods: This retrospective, unicentric, study analyzed 261 consecutive cT1-3 cN0 breast cancer patients with ITC or micrometastasis in their SLN.

Chest wall perforator flaps for partial breast reconstruction after conservative surgery: Prospective analysis of safety and reliability.

Introduction: Breast-conserving surgery associated with adjuvant radiotherapy is the state of the art in the surgical treatment of breast cancer. Oncoplastic surgery through dermo-adipose flaps based in perforating arteries (muscle sparing flaps) for partial reconstruction is increasingly used as a good option for avoiding musculocutaneous flaps. In this study we evaluate the outcomes of the use of chest wall perforator flaps in the replacement of partial breast volume.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the clinical assistance to breast cancer patients.

Purpose: We aimed to disclose the impact of the pandemic on breast cancer patients in a specialized breast cancer center (BCC).

Methods: A total of 501 breast cancer patients with a first appointment in the BCC from April 1st, 2019 to March 31st, 2021 were divided into four consecutive periods of 6 months. Data from the homologous semesters was compared.

A comprehensive study on surveillance outcomes of a male population followed at a hereditary breast cancer high-risk consultation at a Portuguese tertiary hospital.

Introduction: Men born with pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in genes associated with the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome have a higher risk to develop breast cancer and other cancers (such as prostate cancer) and should undergo adequate surveillance protocols in highly specialized Centers.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to assess these genetic variants' epidemiological and phenotypical manifestations in male carriers, as well as the efficacy of the surveillance protocol and compliance toward it through a survey. During follow-up, a genetic panel for testing was implemented, the starting age for surveillance was delayed, and the six-month screening interval was extended to annual.

Pet ownership during the first 5 years after breast cancer diagnosis in the NEON-BC cohort.

Background: Although human-animal interactions (HAI) have been associated with health benefits, they have not been extensively studied among cancer patients nor which factors may influence HAI during cancer survivorship. Therefore, this study aims to describe pet ownership in a breast cancer cohort within 5 years post-diagnosis and to identify associated factors.

Methods: Four hundred sixty-six patients from the NEON-BC cohort were evaluated.

Local Antibiotic Delivery Ceramic Bone Substitutes for the Treatment of Infected Bone Cavities and Bone Regeneration: A Systematic Review on What We Have Learned from Animal Models.

Aims: the focus of this study is to evaluate if the combination of an antibiotic with a ceramic biomaterial is effective in treating osteomyelitis in an infected animal model and to define which model and protocol are best suited for in vivo experiments of local bone infection treatment.

Methods: a systematic review was carried out based on PRISMA statement guidelines. A PubMed search was conducted to find original papers on animal models of bone infections using local antibiotic delivery systems with the characteristics of bone substitutes.

Differences among a Portuguese cohort of BRCA pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants carriers choosing risk-reducing mastectomy or intensive breast surveillance.

Purpose: Women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants have a higher risk to develop breast and ovarian cancer. In structured high-risk clinics, risk-reducing measures are adopted. This study aimed at characterizing these women and identify factors that may have influenced their choice between risk reduction mastectomy (RRM) and intensive breast surveillance (IBS).

Surveillance of surgical site infection after colorectal surgery: comprehensiveness and impact of risk factors.

Objective: The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) is highest after colorectal surgery. We assessed the impact of risk factors for SSI using the population attributable fraction (PAF).

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Quality Indicators Compliance and Survival Outcomes in Breast Cancer according to Age in a Certified Center.

Age as a breast cancer (BC) prognostic factor remains debatable. Several studies have investigated clinicopathological features at different ages, but few make an age group direct comparison. The European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists quality indicators (EUSOMA-QIs) allow a standardized quality assurance of BC diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

Total Tumor Load to assist in the decision for additional axillary surgery in the positive sentinel node breast cancer patients.

The Total Tumor Load (TTL) concept has been demonstrated to accurately predict the status of the non-sentinel lymph nodes (NSLN) in breast cancer patients. In 2019, our center implemented the TTL cut-off of 30,000 CK19 mRNA copies/μL as sole criterion for deciding on performing ALND. This retrospective, unicentric, study analyzed 87 cT1-3N0 breast cancer patients treated consecutively in a period of two years and aimed to evaluate the performance of this criterion.

Factors associated with self-perceived health status in Portugal: Results from the National Health Survey 2014.

Background: Self-perceived health is an important indicator of illness and mortality. This study aims at identifying a wide range of factors that can influence self-perceived health status among a representative sample in Portugal.

Methods: We used the 2014 National Health Survey ( = 17,057), whereby participants were required to assess their health status from "Very good," "Good," "Fair," "Poor" to "Very poor.

Frailty-Independent Undertreatment Negative Impact on Survival in Older Patients With Breast Cancer.

Purpose: The management of older adults with breast cancer (BC) remains controversial. The challenging assessment of aging idiosyncrasies and the scarce evidence of therapeutic guidelines can lead to undertreatment. Our goal was to measure undertreatment and assess its impact on survival.

Identifying the Profile of -Negative Gastric Cancers: A Case-Only Analysis within the Stomach Cancer Pooling (StoP) Project.

Background: The prevalence of -negative gastric cancer (HpNGC) can be as low as 1%, when infection is assessed using more sensitive tests or considering the presence of gastric atrophy. HpNGC may share a high-risk profile contributing to the occurrence of cancer in the absence of infection. We estimated the proportion of HpNGC, using different criteria to define infection status, and compared HpNGC and positive cases regarding gastric cancer risk factors.

Beyond the operating room: do hospital characteristics have an impact on surgical site infections after colorectal surgery? A systematic review.

Background: Hospital characteristics have been recognized as potential risk factors for surgical site infection for over 20 years. However, most research has focused on patient and procedural risk factors. Understanding how structural and process variables influence infection is vital to identify targets for effective interventions and to optimize healthcare services.

The association between environmental exposures to chlordanes, adiposity and diabetes-related features: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Chlordane compounds (CHLs) are components of technical chlordane listed in the Stockholm convention on persistent organic pollutants identified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and may interfere with hormone biosynthesis, metabolism or action resulting in an unbalanced hormonal function. There is increasing scientific evidence showing EDCs as risk factors in the pathogenesis and development of obesity and obesity-related metabolic syndromes such as type 2 diabetes, but there is no systematized information on the effect of CHLs in humans. Our aim is to identify the epidemiological data on the association between CHLs with adiposity and diabetes using a systematic approach to identify the available data and summarizing the results through meta-analysis.

Statistical models for analyzing count data: predictors of length of stay among HIV patients in Portugal using a multilevel model.

Background: This study offers a comprehensive approach to precisely analyze the complexly distributed length of stay among HIV admissions in Portugal.

Objective: To provide an illustration of statistical techniques for analysing count data using longitudinal predictors of length of stay among HIV hospitalizations in Portugal.

Method: Registered discharges in the Portuguese National Health Service (NHS) facilities Between January 2009 and December 2017, a total of 26,505 classified under Major Diagnostic Category (MDC) created for patients with HIV infection, with HIV/AIDS as a main or secondary cause of admission, were used to predict length of stay among HIV hospitalizations in Portugal.

A Scoping Review of Process Indicators for Measuring Quality of Care in Glaucoma.

Prcis: There are no standardized process quality indicators (QIs) in glaucoma care. Although they can be inferred from guidelines and trials, they should be designed and standardized to allow better assessment of the quality of care.

Purpose: QIs are crucial for assessing the performance of any health care system.

COVID-19: What Is Next for Portugal?

Highly infectious with the possibility of causing severe respiratory complications, the novel COVID-19 began stretching health systems beyond their capacity all over the world and pushing them to breaking points. Giving the devastating effects caused by this infection, unprecedented measures have to be adopted in order to mitigate its impacts on the health system. This perspective aims to review the epidemic of COVID-19 in Portugal, possible areas of improvement, and potential interventions that can help to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on the Portuguese health system.

Fruits and vegetables intake and gastric cancer risk: A pooled analysis within the Stomach cancer Pooling Project.

A low intake of fruits and vegetables is a risk factor for gastric cancer, although there is uncertainty regarding the magnitude of the associations. In our study, the relationship between fruits and vegetables intake and gastric cancer was assessed, complementing a previous work on the association betweenconsumption of citrus fruits and gastric cancer. Data from 25 studies (8456 cases and 21 133 controls) with information on fruits and/or vegetables intake were used.

Risk of Readmission Among HIV Patients in Public Portuguese Hospitals: Longitudinal Multilevel Population-Based Study.

Thirty-day hospital readmission is receiving growing attention as an indicator of the quality of hospital care. Understanding factors associated with 30-day hospital readmission among HIV patients in Portugal is essential given the high burden cost of HIV hospitalizations in Portugal, a country suffering from financial constrains for almost 10 years. We aimed to estimate the 30-day hospital readmission rates among HIV patients in Portugal and to identify its determinants using population-based data for Portuguese public hospitals.