Browsing by Author "Carvalho, D."
Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Calprotectin and the Magnitude of Antibodies to Infliximab in Clinically-stable Ulcerative Colitis Patients are More Relevant Than Infliximab Trough Levels and Pharmacokinetics for Therapeutic EscalationPublication . Magro, F.; Afonso, J.; Lopes, S.; Coelho, R.; Gonçalves, R.; Caldeira, P.; Lago, P.; Sousa, H.; Ramos, J.; Gonçalves, A.; Ministro, P.; Rosa, I.; Vieira, A.; Andrade, P.; Soares, J.; Carvalho, D.; Sousa, P.; Meira, T.; Lopes, J.; Moleiro, J.; Dias, C.; Falcão, A.; Geboes, K.; Carneiro, F.Although infliximab (IFX) is an efficient therapy for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, a considerably high rate of therapeutic failures still occurs. This study aimed at a better understanding of IFX pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics among clinically-asymptomatic UC patients. This was a multicentric and prospective study involving 65 UC patients in the maintenance phase of IFX therapy. There were no significant differences between patients with positive and negative clinical, endoscopic and histological outcomes concerning their IFX trough levels (TLs), area under the IFX concentration vs. time curve (AUC), clearance and antibodies to infliximab (ATI) levels. However, the need to undergo therapeutic escalation later in disease development was significantly associated with higher ATI levels (2.62μg/mL vs. 1.15μg/mL, p=0.028). Moreover, and after adjusting for disease severity, the HR (hazard ratio) for therapeutic escalation was significantly decreased for patients with an ATI concentration below 3μg/mL (HR=0.119, p=0.010), and increased for patients with fecal calprotectin (FC) level above 250μg/g (HR=9.309, p=0.018). In clinically-stable UC patients, IFX pharmacokinetic features cannot predict therapeutic response on a short-term basis. However, high levels of ATIs or FC may be indicative of a future therapeutic escalation.
- Clinical performance of an infliximab rapid quantification assayPublication . Magro, F.; Afonso, J.; Lopes, S.; Coelho, R.; Gonçalves, R.; Caldeira, P.; Lago, P.; Sousa, H.; Ramos, J.; Gonçalves, A.; Ministro, P.; Rosa, I.; Meira, T.; Andrade, P.; Soares, J.; Carvalho, D.; Sousa, P.; Vieira, A.; Lopes, J.; Dias, C.; Geboes, K.; Carneiro, F.BACKGROUND: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)-based algorithms can be used to guide infliximab (IFX) adjustments in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. This study aimed to explore a rapid IFX-quantification test from a clinical perspective. METHODS: This manuscript describes a prospective cohort study involving 110 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients on the maintenance phase of IFX. IFX trough levels were quantified using a rapid quantification assay and a commonly-used reference kit. RESULTS: Irrespective of the assay used to measure IFX, its through levels were statistically different between patients with and without endoscopic remission (Mayo endoscopic score = 0), as well as between patients stratified by their faecal calprotectin (FC) levels. Despite the fact that the two methods correlated well with each other [Spearman's rank correlation coefficient = 0.843, p < 0.001; intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.857, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.791-0.903], there was a discernible systematic variation; values obtained with the reference kit were on average 2.62 units higher than those obtained with the rapid assay. Notwithstanding, 3 µg/ml was shown to be an acceptable cut-off to assess endoscopic status and inflammatory burden levels using both assays. The percentage of patients that had a positive outcome when the IFX concentration measured by the rapid assay ranked above 3 µg/ml was 88% both for a Mayo endoscopic score ⩽ 1 and for an FC concentration <250 µg/g. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, we concluded that using the rapid IFX assessment system with a 3 µg/ml threshold is a reliable alternative to the time-consuming enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in patients on the maintenance phase of IFX.
- Descrição, factores, preditores e prognóstico dos derrames parapneumónicosPublication . Ferreira, J.; Maia, J.; Mendonça, C.; Carvalho, D.; Paiva, P.; Correia, J.Resumo Introdução: A infecção pleural é um problema comum na prática clínica. Uma porção significativa das infecções no espaço pleural representa um processo progressivo que leva à transformação de um derrame simples em complicado. A maioria dos autores sugere que a decisão terapêutica depende do estadio de evolução da doença. Objectivos: Descrever e caracterizar os derrames parapneumónicos quanto à forma de apresentação, características, terapêutica instituída e evolução. Métodos: Estudo observacional, retrospectivo e longitudinal com base na análise dos processos clínicos dos doentes com o diagnóstico de derrame parapneumónico, entre Janeiro de 2005 e Junho de 2011. Trinta e quatro casos cumpriram critérios de inclusão. Resultados: A evolução do quadro clínico parece ser independente do tipo de dreno/catéter usado (p=0,608). Os empiemas associam-se com significado estatístico a não resolução inicial do quadro (p=0,024). A presença de derrames loculados aumentou o tempo de internamento médio em aproximadamente 10 dias (p=0,071) e acarretou um prolongamento no tempo médio de antibioterapia de 13 dias (p=0,049). Conclusões: O derrame parapneumónico com significado clínico parece ter baixa incidência, contudo é uma patologia que acarreta prolongamento no tempo de internamento e potenciais complicações. Deve preferir-se a utilização de catéteres de pequeno diâmetro (10-14F). Os parâmetros que pioram significativamente o prognóstico são a presença de empiema ou de derrames loculados.
- Endocrinology in Portugal - Census 2016. Board of the Portuguese College of Endocrinology and Nutrition of the Portuguese Medical AssociationPublication . Guimarães, J.; Afonso, A.; Carvalho, D.; Marques, A.; Martins, T.; Mascarenhas, M.; Pereira, C.; Rodrigues, D.; Saraiva, C.; Cardoso, H.INTRODUCTION: On September 2016, the Board of the College of Endocrinology and Nutrition of the Portuguese Medical Association carried out a national survey, about all Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Departments of the public hospitals included in the Portuguese National Health Service and a simplified version of this survey was sent to all endocrinologists working in Portugal and registered with the Portuguese Medical Association. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data related to organizational and human resources were collected, reporting the situation by the end of year 2015. The census registered 107 individuals and 27 Departments. RESULTS: The ratio of endocrinologists-population was 1.4, much lower than in the other European countries (varies between 2 to 4), resulting in alarming shortages of services in some areas of Portugal and in worse quality indicators. DISCUSSION: These data suggest that actions should be taken to increase the number of endocrinologists and departments in the country. CONCLUSION: In recent years, the number of residents has significantly increased, which will make it possible to correct this situation
- Stability of blood gases when refrigeratedPublication . Ferreira, J.; Silva, S.; Rodrigues, P.; Abreu, M.; Maia, J.; Carvalho, D.; Carvalho, L.Background: Blood gas analysis is a widely used procedure. In clinical practice, the physicians may not always have a blood gas analyzer in their proximity. Not infrequently, blood gas samples are stored in a fridge or on ice and read retrospectively. Continued anaerobic and aerobic metabolism in the blood may alter blood gases in the interval between drawing arterial blood and its analysis, which may cause a fall in the PaO2 and pH and a rise in the PaCO2. Methods: Two sets of arterial blood samples were obtained from hospitalized patients. After the initial analysis, one sample from each patient was put in raw ice within a specimen bag (0 to +1 oC) and the other in the fridge (+4 to +8 oC). These samples were submitted to serial analysis at 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours after the initial analysis. Results: Two hundred arterial blood gas results from 25 patients were analysed. The mean values of PaO2, PaCO2, HCO3-, Na+, K+, Ca2+ and lactate at 0 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours were not signifi cantly different between the two alternatives of storage. However, within each group, signifi cant changes were found over time for PaO2, K+, Na+, Ca2+ and lactate. Conclusions: When using plastic syringes, arterial blood gas analysis should be processed shortly after collecting the sample. Despite the fact that low temperatures can slow down the metabolism, neither the ice nor the fridge preserved all the sample parameters.