Sex differences in axial spondyloarthritis: data from a Portuguese spondyloarthritis cohort.

Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), particularly ankylosing spondylitis was historically considered a male's disease and has been under-recognized in women. Emerging evidence reveals sex differences in pathophysiology, disease presentation and therapeutic efficacy.

Objective: To identify differences between sexes in a Portuguese cohort of patients with axSpA regarding clinical manifestations, disease activity, functional capacity, patient related outcomes and presence of sacroiliitis on x-ray or magnetic resonance imaging.

Development and usability evaluation of an application for patients with glaucoma.

Introduction: Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy that requires continuous monitoring. The purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate the usability of a mobile application, for iOS and Android platforms, containing functionalities to improve patients' knowledge about glaucoma and facilitate their treatment.

Methods: The application was developed by a multidisciplinary team using an adapted version of a co-design methodology.

Report of simultaneous measles outbreaks in two different health regions in Portugal, February to May 2017: lessons learnt and upcoming challenges.

In Portugal, measles vaccination coverage and population immunity are high, and no endemic measles cases had been reported since 2004. The World Health Organization classified measles as eliminated in the country in 2015 and 2016, based on data from the previous 3 years. However, in a context of increasing incidence in several European countries in 2016 and 2017, Portugal experienced two simultaneous measles outbreaks with a total of 27 laboratory-confirmed cases (0.

Challenging measles case definition: three measles outbreaks in three Health Regions of Portugal, February to April 2018.

We report three simultaneous measles outbreaks with 112 confirmed cases in three Health Regions of Portugal, from February to April 2018. The mean age of cases was 30 years, 79% worked in a healthcare setting and 87% were vaccinated. Genotype B3 was identified in 84 cases from the three outbreaks.

Effectiveness of early adalimumab therapy in psoriatic arthritis patients from Reuma.pt - EARLY PsA.

Objective To compare outcomes in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients initiating adalimumab (ADA), with short- and long-term disease duration and to evaluate the potential effect of concomitant conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARD) or glucocorticoids. Methods Analyses included adult PsA patients registered in the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt) between June 2008-June 2016 who received ADA for ≥3 months.

Portuguese recommendations for the use of biological therapies in patients with axial spondyloarthritis - 2016 update.

Objective: To update the recommendations for the treatment of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) with biological therapies, endorsed by the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology.

Methods: These treatment recommendations were formulated by Portuguese rheumatologists based on literature evidence and consensus opinion. At a national meeting, the 7 recommendations included in this document were discussed and updated.

Measles outbreak after 12 years without endemic transmission, Portugal, February to May 2017.

We report a measles outbreak in two Portuguese health regions (Algarve and Lisbon and the Tagus Valley) since February 2017, and which by 31 May resulted in 28 confirmed cases, of which 16 were unvaccinated. Thirteen cases were healthcare workers. One unvaccinated teenager died.

Portuguese Recommendations for the use of biological therapies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis- 2016 update.

Objective: To update the recommendations for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) with biological therapies, endorsed by the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology (SPR).

Methods: These treatment recommendations were formulated by Portuguese rheumatologists based on literature evidence and consensus opinion. At a national meeting the 10 recommendations were discussed and updated.

In vivo efficacy of a biotherapic and eugenol formulation against Rhipicephalus microplus.

The control of Rhipicephalus microplus is essential to prevent cattle discomfort and economic losses. However, increased resistance and acaricides inefficiency lead producers to adopt strategies that could result in the accumulation of chemical residues in meat and milk with possibilities of poisoning in animals and people. This scenario demonstrates the necessity of research into the identification of novel, effective and environmentally safe therapeutic options for cattle tick control.

In vitro acaricidal efficacy of plant extracts from Brazilian flora and isolated substances against Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae).

The tick Rhipicephalus microplus causes significant losses in livestock cattle and has developed increasing resistance to the primary acaricides that are used to treat these infections. The objective of this study was to identify new biomolecules or isolated substances showing acaricidal activity from plants. Larval packet tests were conducted to evaluate the effects of 11 species of plants and three isolated substances (betulinic acid, eugenol, and nerolidol) on R.

Portuguese recommendations for the use of biological therapies in patients with axial spondyloarthritis--December 2011 update.

Objective: To develop recommendations for the treatment of axial spondyloarthritis with biological therapies, endorsed by the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology.

Methods: These treatment recommendations were formulated by Portuguese rheumatologists based on literature evidence and consensus opinion. A draft of the recommendations and supporting evidence was first circulated to all Portuguese rheumatologists and their suggestions were incorporated in the draft.

2011 Portuguese recommendations for the use of biological therapies in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Objective: To develop recommendations for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with biological therapies, endorsed by the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology.

Methods: These treatment recommendations were formulated by Portuguese rheumatologists based on literature evidence and consensus opinion. A draft of the recommendations was first circulated to all Portuguese rheumatologists and their suggestions were incorporated in the draft.

Systemic sclerosis, a rare case.

Systemic sclerosis (SS) is a rare severe autoimmune disease involving the connective tissue. The pathophysiology is not clearly understood. It is characterized by a remarkable clinical heterogeneity, and virtually all organs can be affected.

[Practical guide for the use of biological agents in rheumatoid arthritis - December 2011 update].

The authors review the practical aspects of biological therapy use for rheumatoid arthritis patients, commenting safety issues before and after treatment initiation and the best treatment strategies to optimize efficacy.

Orbital cysticercosis: diagnosis and treatment controversies.

Orbital cysticercosis is a rare condition and its management is controversial. We report 2 cases of orbital cellulitis associated with cysticercosis in which the treatment with antihelminthics was withheld. The 2 children had good evolution with spontaneous progressive resolution.

[Portugal and Europe are poliomyelitis free].

On the 21st of June 2002, in Copenhagen, the Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication, declared the European Region of the World Health Organization (WHO) as polio-free. The last case (not imported) of poliomyelitis in Europe had occurred in November 1998. The health impact is enormous.