Predictors of Interstitial Lung Disease in Mixed Connective Tissue Disease.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) frequently complicates mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and contributes to increased mortality. We aimed to identify predictors of ILD in MCTD patients. This is a nationwide, multicentre, retrospective study including patients with an adult-onset MCTD clinical diagnosis who met Sharp's, Kasukawa, Alarcón-Segovia, or Kahn's diagnostic criteria and had available chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) data.

Pain Management Strategies for Botulinum Toxin Type A Injections in Children: A Comprehensive National Survey and Procedural Protocol.

Introduction: Botulinum toxin type A injections are a first-line treatment for spasticity in children. Our purpose is to delineate the national landscape concerning pain management for botulinum toxin type A injections in pediatric patients and to formulate a protocol grounded in current scientific evidence.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide survey targeting physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists performing botulinum toxin type A injections for focal spasticity in children in Portugal.

COVID-19 in a Portuguese whole blood donor population.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), leading to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the stock of blood banks worldwide. This study aims to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 in a population of whole blood donors and analyze the possible association between blood group and susceptibility to the disease and the impact of adopting preventive measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Predicting Peritoneal Carcinomatosis in Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer: The Significance of Tumor Markers in the Peritoneal Washing.

Purpose: Gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignant tumor worldwide. Many attempts have been made over the years to investigate the relationship between tumor markers and the risk of recurrence. This study aims to explore the predictive value of tumor markers measured in peritoneal washing during staging laparoscopy, regarding peritoneal carcinomatosis and mortality within 1 year.

What is the association of depression with clinical response to therapy in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs?

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, progressive inflammatory joint disease that is associated with higher prevalence of depression. There is limited literature about the impact of depression, particularly regarding the response to therapy.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study with PsA patients that started their first biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) was conducted.

Bedside ultrasound in post-anaesthetic care unit for the diagnosis of post-extubation negative pressure pulmonary oedema: A paediatric case.

Background: Post-extubation negative pressure pulmonary oedema is a rare, potentially life-threatening complication associated with general anaesthesia. Chest radiography is used as a diagnostic tool, but it implies a non-negligible radiation exposure, a very important consideration, especially for the paediatric population. However, lung ultrasound can overcome this problem and can be used to detect postoperative pulmonary complications.

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver: a case report of a rare case in an adult patient.

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver is a rare primary mesenchymal hepatic tumor that usually occurs in pediatric patients. In adulthood, this aggressive neoplasm represents only 7% of the liver sarcomas. This case reports a liver sarcoma occurring in a 49-year-old female patient.

Dying with end stage kidney disease: factors associated with place of death on a palliative care program.

Introduction: End of life care of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) may be particularly challenging and requires the intervention of a specialized palliative care team (PCT).

Objective: To characterize the population of ESKD patients referred to a PCT and evaluate the determinants of planned dying at home.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational cohort study of all patients with ESKD referred to our PCT between January 2014 and December 2021 (n = 60) and further characterized those with previously known ESKD regarding place of death (n = 53).

Delayed presentation of isolated grade III pancreatic injury-a case report.

Because of their vague and subtle indications and symptoms, pancreatic injuries are frequently misdiagnosed. It's crucial to have a high level of clinical suspicion. The presence of other organ solid lesions and vascular injuries, as well as the patient's hemodynamic condition, will determine how these injuries are treated.

Eating habits: what foods do children between 12 and 36 months consume?

Objective: to identify toddlers' eating habits.

Method: a cross-sectional study of quantitative analysis, with a sample of 808 toddlers who attended day care centers in the district of Viseu, Portugal, between November 2018 and September 2019. Data were collected using a questionnaire directed at parents.

Cycling versus swapping strategies in psoriatic arthritis: results from the rheumatic diseases Portuguese register.

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.

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies module of the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register.

Aims: To characterise the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) module of the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt/myositis) and the patients in its cohort.

Methods: Reuma.

Building bridges: multidisciplinary teams in tuberculosis prevention and care.

People with or affected by tuberculosis (TB) experience complex social and cultural constraints that may affect treatment outcomes by impeding access to proper care or by hindering treatment adherence. Low levels of health literacy which leads to inadequate disease information; stigma, discrimination and other forms of prejudice that may result in marginalisation and ostracisation; and socioeconomic vulnerabilities that hamper one's capacity to access essential goods or increase the risk of exposure to the disease are some of the barriers highlighted. These complex hurdles are also disproportionately felt by people with or affected by TB due to gender-related inequalities that need to be properly addressed.

EBCOG position statement on Inequalities in screening for cervical and breast cancer.

Gynaecological cancers, namely breast and cervical cancer represent a high burden in women's health. It is well established that cervical and breast cancer screening programmes are effective in reducing morbidity and mortality. It is of the most importance to define strategies to provide a universal access to screening.

Provision of screening services for cervical and breast cancer - A scientific study commissioned by the European Board & College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG).

Objective: Cancer screening can play an important role in early detection, improving treatment outcomes and reducing morbidity and mortality. Breast and cervical cancers belong to the most common gynaecological cancers group. Countries provide different screening programmes on its eligible population basis centred on different health care policies.

The ultimate technique for posterior rib fractures: the parascapular sub-iliocostalis plane block - A series of cases.

We report retrospectively a series of four cases involving the successful use of the recently described parascapular sub-iliocostalis plane block (PSIP), for lateral-posterior rib fractures. The efficacy of the PSIP block may potentially depend on different mechanisms of action: (1) direct action in the fracture site by craniocaudal myofascial spread underneath the erector spinae muscle (ESM); (2) spread to deep layers through tissue disruption caused by trauma, to reach the proximal intercostal nerves; (3) medial spread below the ESM, to reach the posterior spinal nerves; and (4) lateral spread in the sub-serratus (SS) plane to reach the lateral cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves; while avoiding significant negative hemodynamic effects and other possible complications associated to other techniques leading that the PSIP may be considered an alternative in some clinical scenarios to the Erector Spinae Plane block or the Paravertebral block.