Topical capsaicin 8% patch in peripheral neuropathic pain: Efficacy and quality of life.

Introduction: Peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) is one of the most challenging diseases to treat with a significant negative impact on the patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Capsaicin 8% patch has arisen in the last decades as an alternative to oral drugs in the treatment of PNP with fewer side effects and promising results in efficacy.

Objectives: This work aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the topical application of capsaicin in PNP and its impact on patients' HRQoL based on the use of capsaicin in a tertiary hospital of Oporto.

Adrenal Crisis During Cesarean Section in a Patient With Primary Adrenal Insufficiency.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a type of primary adrenal insufficiency (AI) that predisposes to adrenal crisis (AC) during stress. We describe a case of a primipara with CAH who was admitted in labor. To prevent AC, glucocorticoid replacement was given according to guidelines.

Chronic pain, functionality and quality of life in cancer survivors.

The increasing number of cancer survivors associated to a longer average life-span after diagnosis of an oncological disease facilitates the observation of deleterious long-term effects of both oncological disease and its treatment. Among these effects, chronic pain emerges as one of the most prevalent and, with its onset, there is a decrease in these patients' functionality and quality of life. The main focus in oncological disease treatment has been tumour eradication and average life expectancy extension after diagnosis, neglecting these deleterious long-term effects.

Effectiveness of Opioids for Chronic Noncancer Pain: A Two-Year Multicenter, Prospective Cohort Study With Propensity Score Matching.

Opioid use in chronic non cancer pain (CNCP) is still controversial regarding their effectiveness and safety. We conducted a 2-year prospective cohort study in 4 multidisciplinary chronic pain clinics to assess long-term opioid effectiveness in CNCP patients. All adult CNCP patients consecutively admitted to their first consultation were recruited.

A Two-Year Prospective Multicenter Study of Opioid Therapy for Chronic Noncancer Pain: Prescription Trends and Predictors.

Objectives: Opioid use in chronic pain has increased worldwide in recent years. The aims of this study were to describe the trends and patterns of opioid therapy over two years of follow-up in a cohort of chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) patients and to assess predictors of long-term opioid use and clinical outcomes.

Methods: A prospective cohort study with two years of follow-up was undertaken in four multidisciplinary chronic pain clinics.

Incidence and Health Related Quality of Life of Opioid-Induced Constipation in Chronic Noncancer Pain Patients: A Prospective Multicentre Cohort Study.

Background: High rates of opioid use for chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) have been reported worldwide, despite its association with adverse events, inappropriate use, and limited analgesic effect. Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is the most prevalent and disabling adverse effect associated with opioid therapy. Our aim was to assess the incidence, health related quality of life (HRQOL), and disability in OIC patients.

Interventional Pain Management in Multidisciplinary Chronic Pain Clinics: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study with One-Year Follow-Up.

Background: Interventional Pain Management (IPM) is performed in multidisciplinary chronic pain clinics (MCPC), including a range of invasive techniques to diagnose and treat chronic pain (CP) conditions. Current patterns of use of those techniques in MCPC have not yet been reported.

Objective: We aimed to describe quantitatively and qualitatively the use of IPM and other therapeutic procedures performed on-site at four Portuguese MCPC.

Delirium assessment in postoperative patients: Validation of the Portuguese version of the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale in critical care.

Background And Objectives: The aim of this study was to validate the Portuguese version of the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC) for use in critical care settings.

Methods: We simultaneously and independently evaluated all postoperative patients admitted to a surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) over a 1-month period for delirium, using the Portuguese versions of both the Nu-DESC and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) within 24 hours of admission by both the research staff physician and one bedside nurse. We determined the diagnostic accuracy of the Nu-DESC using sensitivity, specificity and ROC curve analyses.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting: Validation of the Portuguese version of the Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Intensity Score.

Background And Objectives: The Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Intensity Scale was developed to define clinically important PONV. The aim of this study was to translate, retranslate and validate the PONV Intensity Scale for use in Portuguese Post Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU) settings.

Methods: The PONV Intensity Scale was translated and back-translated in accordance with available guidelines.

Outcome and quality of life in patients with postoperative delirium during an ICU stay following major surgery.

Introduction: Delirium is an acute disturbance of consciousness and cognition that has been shown to be associated with poor outcomes, including increased mortality. We aimed to evaluate outcome after postoperative delirium in a cohort of surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patients.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted over a 10-month period in a SICU.

Congestive heart failure as a determinant of postoperative delirium.

Background: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a frequent post-surgical complication that is associated with increased mortality and poor patient outcomes. POD is a complex disorder with multiple risk factors such as pre-existing patient comorbidities and perioperative complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of POD and to identify risk factors for the development of POD in a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).

Postoperative nausea and vomiting: validation of the portuguese version of the postoperative nausea and vomiting intensity score.

Background And Objectives: The Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Intensity Scale was developed to define clinically important PONV. The aim of this study was to translate, retranslate and validate the PONV Intensity Scale for use in Portuguese Post Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU) settings.

Methods: The PONV Intensity Scale was translated and back-translated in accordance with available guidelines.

Outcome after hepatectomy-delirium as an independent predictor for mortality.

Background: Most studies that follow up hepatectomy cases are limited in scope to an investigation of mortality and morbidity rates or the costs and length of hospital stay. In this study the authors aimed to characterize the quality of life and to evaluate mortality and its determinants after hepatectomy.

Methods: This prospective study was carried in a Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) over 15 months, and 70 patients submitted to hepatectomy were enrolled.

Anaesthetic, procedure and complications management of serial whole-lung lavage in an obese patient with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: case report.

Background And Objectives: The first case of Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) was described by Rose in 1958, but it is still a rare disorder. PAP is characterized by deposition of lipoproteinaceous material secondary to abnormal processing of surfactant by macrophages. Patients may suffer from progressive dyspnea and cough that at times is accompanied by worsening hypoxia and its course can vary from progressive deterioration to spontaneous improvement.

Postoperative delirium in intensive care patients: risk factors and outcome.

Background And Objectives: Postoperative delirium (POD) in Surgical Intensive Care patients is an important independent outcome determinant. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the incidence and determinants of POD.

Methods: Prospective cohort study conducted during a period of 10 months in a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) with five intensive care beds.