The impact on productivity costs of reducing unemployment in patients with advanced breast cancer: A model estimation based on a Portuguese nationwide observational study.

This study aimed to characterize the employment status and work-related conditions of patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC) in Portugal and quantify the productivity costs of premature abandonment of the work market while evaluating strategies to promote employment. The analysis was based on a cumulative incidence model for estimation of ABC prevalence and on a cross-sectional study characterizing the employment status of patients with ABC. This study was conducted in Portuguese hospitals, between Nov2021-Dec2022 and included patients diagnosed with ABC for at least 6 months, aged 66 or less and consenting for a self-answered questionnaire regarding work status.

Economic evaluations of medical devices in paediatrics: a systematic review and a quality appraisal of the literature.

Background: Although economic evaluations (EEs) have been increasingly applied to medical devices, little discussion has been conducted on how the different health realities of specific populations may impact the application of methods and the ensuing results. This is particularly relevant for pediatric populations, as most EEs on devices are conducted in adults, with specific aspects related to the uniqueness of child health often being overlooked. This study provides a review of the published EEs on devices used in paediatrics, assessing the quality of reporting, and summarising methodological challenges.

Cost-effectiveness of cladribine tablets versus fingolimod in patients with highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis in Portugal.

To assess the cost-utility of cladribine tablets fingolimod in patients with highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in Portugal. A 1-year cycle cohort-based Markov state transition model was developed to simulate disease progression, measured by Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), relapses, and conversion to secondary-progressive MS (SPMS). Patients were assumed to remain on treatment until progression to EDSS level 7, conversion to SPMS, or complete loss of efficacy due to waning effect.

Sociedade Portuguesa de Cuidados Intensivos guidelines for stress ulcer prophylaxis in the intensive care unit.

Critically ill patients are at risk of developing stress ulcers in the upper digestive tract. Agents that suppress gastric acid are commonly prescribed to reduce the incidence of clinically important stress ulcer-related gastrointestinal bleeding. However, the indiscriminate use of stress ulcer prophylaxis in all patients admitted to the intensive care unit is not warranted and can have potential adverse clinical effects and cost implications.

Cost Effectiveness of Pembrolizumab for Advanced Melanoma Treatment in Portugal.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab in treating patients with ipilimumab-naïve advanced melanoma in Portugal.

Methods: A cost-effectiveness model was developed to analyze the costs and consequences of treatment with pembrolizumab compared to treatment with ipilimumab in patients with advanced melanoma not previously treated with ipilimumab. The model was parameterized by using data from a head-to-head phase III randomized clinical trial, KEYNOTE-006.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Obinutuzumab for Previously Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia in Portuguese Patients who are Unsuitable for Full-Dose Fludarabine-Based Therapy.

Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) mostly affects patients with comorbidities and limited therapeutic options. Obinutuzumab in combination with chlorambucil (GClb) is a new therapeutic option for previously untreated CLL patients who are unsuitable for full-dose fludarabine-based therapy. This combination delays disease progression but incurs additional costs; thus, an assessment of its value for money is relevant.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on tooth extraction sites in rats subjected to bisphosphonate therapy-histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on tooth extraction sites in rats treated with bisphosphonate.

Materials And Methods: Rats were treated with zoledronic acid, subjected to tooth extractions and allocated into groups: (1) 7 days of HBOT, (2) 14 days of HBOT, (3) 7-day control, and (4) 14-day control. The site of tooth extractions was analyzed by histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry.

Expressions of matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -9 and opioid growth factor in rabbit cornea after lamellar keratectomy and treatment with 1% nalbuphine.

Purposes: To evaluate the effects of nalbuphine 1% on the expression of metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and opioid growth factor (OGF) in rabbit corneas after lamellar keratectomy.

Methods: The rabbits were assigned to two groups: group nalbuphine (GN, n=30), which received 30 µL of nalbuphine 1% in 4 daily applications at regular intervals until corneal epithelialization, and group control (GC, n=30), which received physiological saline solution under the same conditions adopted in GN. The corneas were collected for immunohistochemistry on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 after lamellar keratectomy, and the expressions of MMP-1, MMP-9, and OGF were analyzed.

Intraocular pressure, specular microscopy, and prostaglandin E2 concentration in dogs with mature and hypermature cataract.

This study aimed to evaluate and correlate intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell density (CD), and hexagonality (HEX), and the aqueous humor prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) concentration in dogs with mature (MG, n = 8) and hypermature (HG, n = 8) cataracts. Eight laboratory beagles with no ocular abnormalities were included as a control group (CG). The IOP was measured using a digital applanation tonometer.

Effects of antiproteolytic agents on corneal epithelial viability and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9 activity in alkali-burned corneas of rats.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of agents on corneal re-epithelization and metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) activities in corneas of rats submitted to ulceration.

Animals Studied: Ninety eight healthy rats.

Procedures: Corneal ulcers were created using 1N NaOH in their left eye.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases, type IV collagen, and interleukin-10 in rabbits treated with morphine after lamellar keratectomy.

Purpose: To study the effects of topical administration of 1% morphine on corneal analgesia in rabbits submitted to lamellar keratectomy and to assess the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1, metalloproteinase-2, metalloproteinase-9 (MMPs), type IV collagen, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) during the treatment.

Methods: Morphine group (MG) received 50 μL of topical 1% morphine four times daily, while the control group received saline instead. Corneal touch threshold (CTT) and the wound area were assessed until corneal healing.

Ultrasonographic and echobiometric findings in the eyes of Saanen goats of different ages.

Objective: To determine ultrasonographic and echobiometric findings in the eyes of goats of different ages. B and A mode ultrasonography was performed in 55 healthy Saanen goats (110 eyes) of ages 45 (n = 15), 180 (n = 20), and 549 days (n = 20).

Procedures: Transcorneal ultrasonography was performed after instillation of a topical anesthetic and application of acoustic transmission gel on the 20-MHz linear transducer tip.

Cost-effectiveness of rosuvastatin in the prevention of ischemic heart disease in Portugal.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of rosuvastatin in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and the prevention of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in Portugal.

Methods: A probabilistic Markov model was constructed to analyze the costs and consequences of lifetime treatment with rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin. For this purpose, the results from randomized head-to-head trials evaluating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) changes were combined with the results from a meta-analysis defining the relationship between LDL levels and fatal and nonfatal IHD events.

A mobilization regimen to prevent mandibular hypomobility in irradiated patients: an analysis and comparison of two techniques.

Radiotherapy, when used in head and neck cancer treatment, can produce side effects in the patients, such as decreased salivary production, xerostomia, opportunistic infections, radiation caries, dysphagia, local discomfort and the limitation of mouth opening. The aim of this study was to evaluate the amplitude of mouth opening in patients before and immediately after the completion of radiotherapy, comparing the effectiveness of two physiotherapy exercises. The irradiated sites included the masticatory muscles.

Procedural justice in public health care resource allocation.

Introduction: The legal studies literature on procedural justice identifies six key characteristics of procedural justice: accuracy, consistency, impartiality, reversibility, transparency and voice. However, the relative importance of these in the context of public health care resource allocation is unclear, as is whether they are valuable instrumentally (because it contributes to better outcomes) or inherently (for its own sake).

Methods: A survey of 80-odd members of the UK public determined the following: the ranking of all the six characteristics; the pairwise comparisons of the characteristics; and whether each characteristic was important for instrumental reasons, for intrinsic reasons or for both.