Estimation of 10-Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk in the Portuguese Population Using the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation 2 (SCORE2).

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. The objective of this study was to estimate the 10-year cardiovascular risk in the Portuguese population using the new Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation 2. Data from the first National Health Examination Survey from 2015 were used.

Long-term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and its Association with Mental Well-Being, Depression and Anxiety: A Nationally Representative Study.

Introduction: Exposure to ambient air pollution may play a role in the onset of common mental disorders like depressive and anxiety disorders. The association of long-term exposure to particles smaller than 10 μm (PM10) with these diseases remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the association of long-term exposure to PM10 with mental well-being and the frequency of probable diagnosis of common mental disorders.

Association between area-level walkability and glycated haemoglobin: a Portuguese population-based study.

Diabetes poses a substantial disease burden, prompting preventive interventions. Physical inactivity, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, can potentially be mitigated by enhancing area-level walkability. Despite this, limited population-based studies have investigated the link between walkability and objective diabetes measures.

Longitudinal association between grip strength and the risk of heart diseases among European middle-aged and older adults.

Background: Few multi-country European studies have investigated the association between grip strength and heart diseases incidence. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyse the longitudinal relationship between grip strength and the diagnosis of heart diseases in European middle-aged and older adults.

Method: A prospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (2004-2017).

Impact of stringent non-pharmaceutical interventions applied during the second and third COVID-19 epidemic waves in Portugal, 9 November 2020 to 10 February 2021: an ecological study.

BackgroundNon-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were implemented worldwide to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2.AimTo evaluate the impact of tiered NPIs and a nationwide lockdown on reduction of COVID-19 incidence during the second and third epidemic waves in Portugal.MethodsSurveillance data on laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases were used to conduct an interrupted time series analysis to estimate changes in daily incidence during a second wave tiered NPI period (9 November-18 December 2020), and a third wave lockdown period without (15-21 January 2021) and with school closure (22 January-10 February 2021).

The modifying role of major cardiovascular risk factors in the association between retirement and cardiovascular disease: Results from SHARE Portugal.

Background: Despite the actual demographic trends and the global burden of cardiovascular diseases, there is little knowledge concerning the effects of retirement on this health outcome.

Objective: We aimed to quantify the associations between retirement, and retirement age, with cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) in the Portuguese population.

Methods: We used data from the first Portuguese wave of the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe.

Evaluation of the European Health Information Training Programme (EHITP): results from InfAct Joint Action.

Background: The InfAct (Information for Action) is a Joint Action of the European Commission's 3rd Health Programme with the main goal to build an infrastructure of a health information system for a stronger European Union and to strengthen its core elements. The InfAct Joint Action was developed along 36 months and structured in 10 work packages. Portugal co-led the Work Package 6 (WP6) of this project, which included the development of the proposal of a flagship capacity building programme - the European Health Information Training Programme - and its evaluation.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Portugal following the third epidemic wave: results of the second National Serological Survey (ISN2COVID-19).

Background: Integrated approaches to surveillance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are important for public health actions. The 2nd National Serological Survey (ISN2COVID-19) aimed to characterize the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine-induced response in the Portuguese population following the third epidemic wave and the launch of the vaccination campaign.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using data on 8463 Portuguese 1-79 years of age, collected in February and March, 2021.

Telework during the COVID-19 epidemic in Portugal and determinants of job satisfaction: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Telework satisfaction is a Public Health concern, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its determinant factors may be related with the negative health effects of teleworking. However, there is still little research exploring this issue. This study aimed to characterize telework during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Portugal and to identify the major predictors of telework satisfaction.

Prevalence of COVID-19 in health professionals and occupational psychosocial risks.

Introduction: Health professionals who provide clinical care are exposed to patients potentially infected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARS-CoV-2), namely physicians and nurses; consequently, these professionals face higher risks of infection.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) cases among health professionals and the frequencies of risk factors and psychosocial risk.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study targeted at health professionals working in Portugal during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Association between area- and individual-level socio-economic factors with glycated haemoglobin-Evidence from a Portuguese population-based study.

Aims: This study aims to estimate the associations between area-level deprivation and individual-level socio-economic factors, as well as their interaction, with glycated haemoglobin (HbA ) levels.

Methods: We conducted a gamma multilevel regression analysis using individual-level data from the Portuguese National Health Examination Survey and a deprivation index built through factor analysis, at municipality level, with census variables.

Results: Living in a municipality with high material deprivation and having a low level of education were independently associated with an increase of 2.

[Economic Crisis in Portugal: Trajectory of the Incidence of Depression and Correlation With Unemployment].

Introduction: Previous studies have found an increase in the incidence rate of depression between 2007 - 2013 in Portugal, with a positive correlation with the unemployment rate, namely, in men. So, it was hypothesized that this increase is related with the situation of economic crisis. This study aimed to investigate if the correlation between unemployment rates and the incidence of depression is maintained in the post-crisis period of economic recovery in Portugal (2016 - 2018).

Indirect effect of 7-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccines on pneumococcal pneumonia hospitalizations in elderly.

Background: Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of mortality and has a high burden in morbidity. In Portugal, 7-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV) was used since 2001 and PCV10/13 since 2009, being the last introduced into the National Immunization Program in 2015.

Methods: We conducted an ecological study to evaluate the impact of PCV7 and PCV13 on pneumococcal pneumonia (PP) hospitalizations in adults aged 65 years or more in Portugal.

Patient and hospital characteristics that influence incidence of adverse events in acute public hospitals in Portugal: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To analyse the variation in the rate of adverse events (AEs) between acute hospitals and explore the extent to which some patients and hospital characteristics influence the differences in the rates of AEs.

Design: Retrospective cohort study. Chi-square test for independence and binary logistic regression models were used to identify the potential association of some patients and hospital characteristics with AEs.

Depression and unemployment incidence rate evolution in Portugal, 1995-2013: General Practitioner Sentinel Network data.

Objective: Quantify, for both genders, the correlation between the depression incidence rate and the unemployment rate in Portugal between 1995 and 2013.

Methods: An ecological study was developed to correlate the evolution of the depression incidence rates estimated by the General Practitioner Sentinel Network and the annual unemployment rates provided by the National Statistical Institute in official publications.

Results: There was a positive correlation between the depression incidence rate and the unemployment rate in Portugal, which was significant only for males (R2 = 0.

Risk factors for health care-associated infections: From better knowledge to better prevention.

Background: Health care-associated infections (HCAIs) are preventable with adoption of recognized preventive measures. The first step is to identify patients at higher risk of HCAI. This study aimed to identify patient risk factors (RFs) present on admission and acquired during inpatient stay which could be associated with higher risk of acquiring HCAI.

Trends in diabetes incidence from 1992 to 2015 and projections for 2024: A Portuguese General Practitioner's Network study.

Background: Diabetes is known as a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Portugal is known as the European country with the highest prevalence of this disease. While diabetes prevalence data is updated annually in Portugal, the General Practitioner's (GP) Sentinel Network represents the only data source on diabetes incidence.

Hospital nurses tasks and work-related musculoskeletal disorders symptoms: A detailed analysis.

Background: Hospital work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) symptoms are highly prevalent and nurses are considered the health care professional group more often affected by WRMSDs.

Objectives: Understanding the effects of nursing tasks on WRMSDs symptoms.

Methods: Portuguese nurses answered to a modified Nordic Musculoskeletal symptoms Questionnaire.

Epidemiological research on the incidence and prevalence of arterial hypertension in the Portuguese population: a scoping review.

Introduction And Objectives: The Portuguese population is reported to have among the highest levels of mean blood pressure. The aim of the present study is to conduct a structured literature review describing the scope (quantity, focus and nature) of published epidemiological research on the prevalence and incidence of hypertension in the Portuguese population.

Methods: The scoping review was conducted during June 2013, using two information sources, B-on and PubMed, to search for published studies on the prevalence and incidence of hypertension with data collected between 2005-2013 and 1995-2013, respectively.

Effect of long-term laboratory propagation on Chlamydia trachomatis genome dynamics.

It is assumed that bacterial strains maintained in the laboratory for long time shape their genome in a different fashion from the nature-circulating strains. Here, we analyzed the impact of long-term in vitro propagation on the genome of the obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis. We fully-sequenced the genome of a historical prototype strain (L2/434/Bu) and a clinical isolate (E/CS88), before and after one-year of serial in vitro passaging (up to 3500 bacterial generations).