Blood neutrophils, oligoclonal bands and bridging corticosteroids as predictive factors for MOGAD course: Insights from a multicentric Portuguese cohort.

Background: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a heterogeneous entity with either a monophasic or relapsing course. Well-established predictors of relapsing disease are lacking.

Objective: Identifying predictors of relapsing MOGAD, particularly at disease onset.

Picturing the Multiple Sclerosis Patient Journey: A Symptomatic Overview.

: Multiple sclerosis (MS) presents a wide range of clinical symptoms, historically understood through long-term studies of earlier patient cohorts. However, due to improved diagnostic criteria, modern patients are diagnosed earlier and benefit from effective treatments, altering the disease's natural history. This study aimed to assess the clinical symptoms of MS patients in a modern population at various stages: before diagnosis, at diagnosis, during the disease course, and at the time of the survey.

Cognitive outcomes in late-onset versus adult-onset Multiple Sclerosis.

Introduction: Recent studies show that cognitive impairment is more prevalent in older patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, whether this is the result of several years of a chronic disease or specific age-related changes is still unclear. Therefore, we aim to assess the outcomes in both classic and social cognition in late-onset MS (LOMS) and compare them to adult-onset MS (AOMS) when accounting for age and disease duration.

Natalizumab extended interval dosing: what about wearing-off effect?

Background: Up to two thirds of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) under natalizumab report a resurgence of symptoms at the end of the natalizumab cycle (wearing-off (WO) effect). At the outbreak of COVID-19, in line with the international recommendations for MS management, our centre switched all clinically stable patients on natalizumab therapy for more than one year from standard interval dosing (SID) to extended interval dosing (EID) with every six weeks infusions. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of EID in WO in MS patients under natalizumab.

Difference in determinants of ICU admission and death among COVID-19 hospitalized patients in two epidemic waves in Portugal: possible impact of healthcare burden and hospital bed occupancy on clinical management and outcomes, March-December 2020.

Aim: Identify factors associated with COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death among hospitalized cases in Portugal, and variations from the first to the second wave in Portugal, March-December 2020.

Introduction: Determinants of ICU admission and death for COVID-19 need further understanding and may change over time. We used hospital discharge data (ICD-10 diagnosis-related groups) to identify factors associated with COVID-19 outcomes in two epidemic periods with different hospital burdens to inform policy and practice.

Teriflunomide treatment outcomes in multiple sclerosis: A Portuguese real-life experience.

Teriflunomide is an oral disease-modifying therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. A decline in physical and cognitive functions, which negatively impacts their quality of life (QoL), is observed in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. The aim of this study was to characterise adult Portuguese relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with teriflunomide in routine clinical practice concerning their quality of life, comorbidities, treatment effectiveness, satisfaction, compliance and safety.

HBM4EU-MOM: Prenatal methylmercury-exposure control in five countries through suitable dietary advice for pregnancy - Study design and characteristics of participants.

Background: Seafood is a major source of vital nutrients for optimal fetal growth, but at the same time is the main source of exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), an established neurodevelopmental toxicant. Pregnant women must be provided with dietary advice so as to include safely fish in their diet for nutrition and mercury control. The aim of this work is to present the design of a multicentre randomized control trial (RCT), which combines human biomonitoring (HBM) with dietary interventions using seafood consumption advice to pregnant women for MeHg control, and to collect information about other possible sources of exposure to mercury.

The Effect of Timeliness of Care on Lung Cancer Survival - A Population-Based Approach.

Background: Timeliness of care is an important dimension of healthcare quality but it's unclear whether it improves clinical outcomes in lung cancer (LC) patients.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze treatment patterns, time-to-treatment (TTT) and the impact of treatment timeliness (TT) in overall survival (OS) of patients diagnosed with LC in 2009-2014 in a population-based registry from Southern Portugal.

Materials And Methods: We estimated median TTT for overall population, treatment type and stage.

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.

COVID-19 surveillance: Large decrease in clinical notifications and epidemiological investigation questionnaires for laboratory-confirmed cases after the 2nd epidemic wave, Portugal March 2020-July 2021.

Introduction: In Portugal, COVID-19 laboratory notifications, clinical notifications (CNs), and epidemiological investigation questionnaires (EI) were electronically submitted by laboratories, clinicians, and public health professionals, respectively, to the Portuguese National Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAVE), as mandated by law. We described CN and EI completeness in SINAVE to inform pandemic surveillance efforts.

Methods: We calculated the proportion of COVID-19 laboratory-notified cases without CN nor EI, and without EI by region and age group, in each month, from March 2020 to July 2021.

Tuberculin skin test and interferon-γ release assays: Can they agree?

Introduction: The diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) relies largely on the tuberculin skin test (TST) or, more recently, on interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA). Knowledge regarding these tests is essential to improve their usefulness in combating the tuberculosis epidemic.

Objectives: To characterize the agreement between the IGRA and TST tests by determining the kappa coefficient (K) and agreement rate between these two tests in patients with active tuberculosis (TB).

C-sections and hospital characteristics: a long term analysis on low-risk deliveries.

Background: Policymakers aim to reduce C-section (CS) rates, due to well documented overtreatment. However, little is known about how hospital characteristics relate to their c-section rates on low-risk deliveries (CSR-LRD).

Methods: CSR-LRD were computed using inpatient data from all Portuguese National Health Service hospitals (2002-2011).

A temporal analysis on patient and health service delays in pulmonary tuberculosis in Portugal: inter and intra‑regional differences and in(equalities) between gender and age.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment delays increase the period of infectiousness, making TB control difficult and increasing the fatality rates. This study aimed to determine the evolution of health care service delay (time between the patient's first contact with the health service and the diagnosis/start of treatment) and patient delay (time between onset symptoms date and the date of first contact with health services) for Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) in Portugal between 2008 and 2017 across different regions, age groups and gender.

Methods: An exploratory analysis was performed, trends of both delays were studied, and 36 months forecasts were generated.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment of older patients and associated factors of admission to Emergency Departments in pre-covid 19 Era - A Portuguese study.

Objectives: Identifying frequent users' (≥3admissions/year) associated factors in an emergency department (ED), using a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), describing the characteristics of patients over 65 years of age.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between August 2017 and June 2018 in an ED in Lisbon, Portugal. CGA was applied and completed with clinical records.

earlyMYCO: A Pilot Mother-Child Cohort Study to Assess Early-Life Exposure to Mycotoxins-Challenges and Lessons Learned.

Early-life exposure occurs during gestation through transfer to the fetus and later, during lactation. Recent monitoring data revealed that the Portuguese population is exposed to mycotoxins, including young children. This study aimed to develop a pilot study to assess the early-life exposure to mycotoxins through a mother-child cohort, and to identify the associated challenges.

Association between perception of COVID-19 risk, confidence in health services and avoidance of emergency department visits: results from a community-based survey in Portugal.

Objectives: To examine the association between the perception of COVID-19 risk, confidence in health services and avoidance of emergency department (ED) visits in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Community-based, cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Volunteer sample that completed the online survey between April 2020 and May 2021.

Physical Distancing and Mental Well-Being in Youth Population of Portugal and Brazil during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic may affect youth's physical and mental well-being, partially because of the countries' rules to contain the virus from spreading. However, there is still uncertainty about the impact of physical distancing on youth's mental health. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of feeling agitated, anxious, down, sad, or low mood (FNF) due to physical distance measures and verify which factors are associated with young Portuguese and Brazilian people.

Models of care for low back pain patients in primary healthcare: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal condition worldwide and it is responsible for high healthcare costs and resources consumption. It represents a challenge for primary care services that struggle to implement evidence-based practice. Models of care (MoCs) are arising as effective solutions to overcome this problem, leading to better health outcomes.

Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy after Implementation of a Mass Vaccination Campaign.

An online cross-sectional study on COVID-19 vaccination adhesion was conducted in Portugal nine months after vaccination rollout (September-November 2021). Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with hesitancy to take the COVID-19 vaccine in the community-based survey, "COVID-19 Barometer: Social Opinion". Hesitancy was 11%; however, of those, 60.

Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Specific Antibodies after Vaccination.

Vaccination is considered the most important measure to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Extensive follow-up studies with distinct vaccines and populations are able to promote robust and reliable data to better understand the effectiveness of this pharmacologic strategy. In this sense, we present data regarding binding and neutralizing (achieved by surrogate ELISA assay) antibodies throughout time, from vaccinated and previously infected (PI) health care workers (HCW) in Portugal.

Factors Associated with the Patient's Decision to Avoid Healthcare during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in changes in healthcare use. This study aimed to identify factors associated with a patient's decision to avoid and/or delay healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used data from a community-based survey in Portugal from July 2020 to August 2021, "COVID-19 Barometer: Social Opinion", which included data regarding health services use, risk perception and confidence in health services.

Delayed diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis - potential risk factors for patient and healthcare delays in Portugal.

Background: Early diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is essential for an effective control of the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of TB increases the chance of complications and mortality for the patients, and enhances TB transmission in the population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize patient, healthcare and total delay in diagnosing PTB and assess the effect of clinical and sociodemographic factors on the time until first contact with healthcare or reaching a PTB diagnosis.