Physical activity and its clinical correlates in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Limited data are available on physical activity (PhA) levels in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients, as well as on the clinical utility of PhA measurements using questionnaires and accelerometers. We aimed to study PhA levels of CTEPH patients and their clinical correlates, and to compare PhA levels measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) with measures from accelerometers. This is a cross-sectional study ( = 50).

18F-FDG PET/CT in Patients with Vulvar and Vaginal Cancer: A Preliminary Study of 20 Cases.

Introduction: Despite the growing evidence supporting the use of 2-[F-18]-fluor-2-desoxi-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in cervical and ovarian malignant tumours, data on vulvar and vaginal cancer is sparse. Our aim was to assess the role of 2-[F-18]-fluor-2-desoxi-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in patients with vulvar and vaginal cancer.

Material And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of 20 patients with biopsy-proven vulvar (n = 17) and vaginal (n = 3) cancer who performed 2-[F-18]-fluor-2-desoxi-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography, between January 2013 and April 2018.

HIPTCN: Prospective Observational Study of Hypocoagulated Head Trauma Patients with Normal Admission Computed Tomography Scan.

Introduction: Our national protocol for traumatic brain injury dictates that hypocoagulated patients with mild trauma and initial tomography scan with no intracranial traumatic changes must be hospitalized for 24 hours and do a post-surveillance tomography scan. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevance of these measures.

Material And Methods: A prospective observational study was undertaken in four hospitals.

[How to Resume Elective Orthopaedic Surgical Procedures during the COVID-19 Pandemic?].

This document was prepared by the College of Orthopedics of the Portuguese Medical Association with the aim of developing the guidelines on the resumption of elective surgical activity in Orthopedics during the COVID-19 pandemic. It sets the criteria that allow the prioritization of surgeries according to the severity of the clinical situation, based on existing and published classifications. Moreover, it provides an organizational model for patient preparation and describes the patient pathways in the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative periods.

The Future of Telemedicine in the Management of Heart Failure Patients.

Telemedicine (TM) is potentially a way of escalating heart failure (HF) multidisciplinary integrated care. Despite the initial efforts to implement TM in HF management, we are still at an early stage of its implementation. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic led to an increased utilisation of TM.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: Principles of Care.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an autosomal co-dominant inherited disorder that results in decreased circulating levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin (also known as alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor) and predisposes affected individuals to early onset lung and liver disease. There is currently no cure for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. However, appropriate treatment and a high standard of clinical care can prevent patients from being seriously affected and having to undergo major medical interventions, such as organ transplantation.

Acute Heart Failure Comorbidome: The Impact of Everything Else.

Introduction: Heart failure frequently coexists with several comorbidities. Our aim is to evaluate the prognostic role of various comorbidities in the risk of acute heart failure development.

Material And Methods: Comorbidities of patients with acute heart failure were, retrospectively, compared to a control group of patients with chronic heart failure admitted to an Internal Medicine unit in a 2-year period.

[Approach to Patients with Statin Intolerance: Evidence-Based Review].

Introduction: Statins are among the most effective drugs in lowering cholesterol levels and, consequently, in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Although generally well tolerated, they have adverse effects that may reduce patient adherence to therapy. The objective of this evidence-based review is to summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of alternative management strategies in patients with intolerance to statins.

[Spontaneous Hemoperitoneum in Pregnancy].

Endometriosis is a benign, estrogen-dependent chronic disorder. Pregnancy is considered to have a positive effect on endometriosis due to blockage of ovulation; however, evidence is emerging on the role of endometriosis not only in infertility but also in poor pregnancy outcomes. We present the case of a pregnant woman admitted for sudden and severe abdominal pain at 34 weeks gestation.

Diagnostic Delay of Multiple Sclerosis in a Portuguese Population.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, in which a diagnostic delay could reduce the available therapeutic options. Therefore, it is important to monitor the time to diagnosis and understand factors that may potentially reduce it. The objective of this study was to determine the time between the first symptoms and the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and which factors may contribute to a diagnostic delay.

Ustekinumab in Real-Life Practice: Experience in 116 Patients with Moderate-To-Severe Psoriasis.

Introduction: Ustekinumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the p40 subunit common to both IL-12 and IL-23 cytokines. Although the evidence of ustekinumab efficacy and safety in clinical trials is extensively recognized, data on its use in clinical practice is limited. Our objective is to report on the real-life experience of two Portuguese dermatology departments with ustekinumab in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis, and to identify the clinical characteristics associated with a weaker clinical response.

[Recommendations About Multiple Sclerosis Management During Pregnancy, Partum and Post-Partum: Consensus Position of The Portuguese Multiple Sclerosis Study Group and The Portuguese Society of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine].

Multiple sclerosis typically affects young women of reproductive age. Therefore, all healthcare providers involved in the follow-up of multiple sclerosis patients must be prepared to discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding issues, and provide the best possible counselling. However, there are still many doubts and heterogeneous clinical approaches partly due to the lack of consensus and guidelines.

Glycans as Key Checkpoints of T Cell Activity and Function.

The immune system is highly controlled and fine-tuned by glycosylation, through the addition of a diversity of carbohydrates structures (glycans) to virtually all immune cell receptors. Despite a relative backlog in understanding the importance of glycans in the immune system, due to its inherent complexity, remarkable findings have been highlighting the essential contributions of glycosylation in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses with important implications in the pathogenesis of major diseases such as autoimmunity and cancer. Glycans are implicated in fundamental cellular and molecular processes that regulate both stimulatory and inhibitory immune pathways.