Publications by authors named "Tomas Fontes"
Objective: To assess the diagnostic value for GCA in adding the axillary arteries (AX) to the temporal artery (TA) ultrasound, particularly in patients with a cranial phenotype of the disease; and to investigate the utility of facial (FA), occipital (OC), subclavian (SC), and common carotid (CC) ultrasound in patients with suspected GCA.
Methods: Patients with new-onset GCA and a positive ultrasound of the TA, AX, FA, OC, SC or CC, followed at the rheumatology departments of two academic centres, were retrospectively included.
Results: 230 patients were assessed.
Article Synopsis
- Stress fractures are often seen in young, active people due to intense or repetitive activities, and early detection is crucial for effective treatment and to prevent complications.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently the main method for identifying these fractures, but there is growing interest in using ultrasound for this purpose.
- The article presents a case of a second metatarsal stress fracture diagnosed with ultrasound and examines existing literature on ultrasound's effectiveness in diagnosing stress fractures, especially in the metatarsals.
Chronic constrictive pericarditis: a rare cardiac involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome.
BMC Cardiovasc Disord
September 2023
Article Synopsis
- Constrictive pericarditis is a rare complication linked to systemic inflammatory diseases like primary Sjögren's syndrome, which typically involves fluid accumulation around the heart rather than thickening of the pericardium.
- A case study presented a 48-year-old man with Sjögren’s who experienced worsening symptoms over four years, leading to the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis and a subsequent surgical procedure known as partial pericardiectomy.
- While the surgery improved his symptoms, the patient continued to require medication for symptom management, highlighting the complexity and uncertain long-term outcomes of this condition related to autoimmune diseases.
Objective: To compare the 2-year retention rate between a second tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor (TNFi) and secukinumab (SEK) or ustekinumab (UST), in Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) patients with previous inadequate response to their first TNFi.
Methods: Prospective longitudinal cohort study with a follow-up period of 2 years using the Nationwide Portuguese Reuma.pt database.
Ruptures of the annular pulleys of the finger flexor tendons are not common in the general population. In sport climbing, these structures can be abnormally stressed, mainly because of the so-called crimped position, an extreme flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joint, levering an abnormal tension by flexor tendons. Complete pulley tears manifest with explicit pain and an inability, but strains or minor tears might only be perceived by individuals like professional climbers, since they can bring total disability to crucial grip positions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUltrasound is a strong diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the elbow joint. Existing guidelines and protocols list relevant structures to be scanned but lack some logical connection and intermediate exploration manoeuvres to link each step, which we consider crucial from an operator's perspective that aims to be efficient in regular clinical practice. We present thirteen steps that are described in detail and accompanied by forty-seven ultrasound images, logically linked in what we believe is the best balance between detail and a real-world applicable protocol to perform an ultrasound of the elbow joint.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction/objectives: The study aims to define the clinical and subclinical calcinosis prevalence, the sensitivity of radiographed site and clinical method for its diagnosis, and the phenotype of Portuguese systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with calcinosis.
Method: A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted with SSc patients fulfilling Leroy/Medsger 2001 or ACR/EULAR 2013 classification criteria, registered in the Reuma.pt.
(1) Background: Patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) experience profound effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) that cannot be explained by objective indicators of mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to adapt the SLE Quality of Life (SLEQoL) questionnaire to the European Portuguese population and to assess its reliability and validity for patients with SLE. (2) Methods: Two independent translators translated the original version of the SLEQoL questionnaire into Portuguese.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Antiviral therapies like nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir have been shown to alter the progression of COVID-19, particularly in patients at high risk for severe illness.* -
- The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for use in mild COVID-19 cases while molnupiravir is still awaiting full marketing authorization but is considered for select patients.* -
- In two clinical cases, both antiviral treatments were effectively used on immunosuppressed patients with severe flare-ups of autoimmune diseases, with no significant side effects reported.*
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of Enbrel® and its biosimilar, Benepali®, in patients with active Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), or Spondyloarthritis (SpA) who had not previously received biologic treatments over a 36-month period.
- The results showed no significant differences in the persistence rates of treatment between the two groups, with similar proportions of patients achieving remission or low disease activity.
- The main reason for discontinuing treatment was inefficacy in both groups, and overall, the study concluded that Benepali® is as effective and safe as Enbrel® for these patients.
Objectives: To evaluate belimumab effectiveness and safety in real-life Portuguese patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
Materials And Methods: Multicenter cohort study including all SLE patients treated with belimumab in seven Portuguese rheumatology centers. Demographic, clinical and serological data were collected at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months of treatment with belimumab.
Autologous fat grafting is widely used for soft-tissue augmentation and replacement in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery providing a biocompatible, natural and inexpensive method. Multiple approaches have been developed in the past years, varying in the location of adipose tissue donor-sites, use of wetting solutions, harvesting, processing and placing techniques. Despite many advances in this subject, the lack of standardization in the protocols and the unpredictability of the resorption of the grafted tissue pose a significant limitation for graft retention and subsequent filling.
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