[Economic analysis of rituximab in combination with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisolone in the treatment of patients with advanced follicular lymphoma in Portugal].

Objective: Evaluate costs and benefits of rituximab in combination with cyclophosphamide/vincristine/prednisolone chemotherapy regimen (R-CVP), in previously untreated patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), compared to CVP alone from a Portuguese National Health System (NHS) perspective.

Methods: Cost-effectiveness (Life Years Gained--LYG) and cost-utility analysis (Quality Adjusted Life Years--QALYs) were performed for a time horizon of 10 years, according to a Markov economic model with three health states (progression free survival, progression and death) and monthly cycles for a population of previously untreated patients with indolent NHL. Data from a phase III clinical trial was used and expanded to include unpublished 53-month median follow-up data.

Respiratory disease screening in school-aged children using portable spirometry.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of respiratory disease in school-aged children and to determine the value of field spirometry.

Methods: Data on 313 1st and 4th graders from four public schools in Lisbon were analyzed. A respiratory self-answered questionnaire and standard spirometry were performed.

Clinical, radiological, and physiological differences between obliterative bronchiolitis and problematic severe asthma in adolescents and young adults: the early origins of the overlap syndrome?

Purpose: Few reports have compared chronic obstructive lung diseases (OLDs) starting in childhood.

Aims: To describe functional, radiological, and biological features of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) and further discriminate to problematic severe asthma (PSA) or to diagnose a group with overlapping features.

Results: Patients with OB showed a greater degree of obstructive lung defect and higher hyperinflation (P < 0.

[RAISE study observational and cross sectional study to evaluate the actual reality of the socio-economic impact of ankylosing spondylitis].

Objectives: Evaluate the relationship between activity functional and quality of life (QoL) measures with the costs supported by the Portuguese patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Portugal.

Methods And Materials: Observational and cross-sectional study performed in patients with AS diagnosis independent from the stage of the disease. Sociodemographics data use of health resources activity functional and QoL scales were collected Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and EQ-5D including Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).