Browsing by Author "Vasconcelos, C."
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- Anti-Ro52 Antibodies and Interstitial Lung Disease in ConnectiveTissue Diseases Excluding SclerodermaPublication . Ferreira, J.; Almeida, I.; Marinho, A.; Cerveira, C.; Vasconcelos, C.The presence of anti-Ro52 antibodies has been reported in a wide variety of autoimmune diseases, particularly in myositis, scleroderma, and autoimmune liver diseases. Clinical significance of anti-Ro52 antibodies remains controversial, and studies are lacking for clarifying the association of anti-Ro52 with interstitial lung disease (ILD) in connective tissue diseases (CTD). Objectives. To determine if anti-Ro52 antibodies are associated with ILD in CTD other than scleroderma. Methods. Singlecenter, retrospective study based on immunoblotting panel analysis and patients clinical records. Results. In our connective tissue disease cohort, 162 patients had immunoblotting panels with anti-Ro52 reactivity analysis, 41 (25,3%) had inclusion criteria. Among the 41 selected sera, 85.4% (n = 35) had anti-Ro52 reactivity. The prevalence of ILD in the positive anti-Ro52 antibodies was 71.4% (n = 25), and 16.7% (n = 1) in the negative anti-Ro52 group (P = 0.018). Overall sensitivity (96.2%), specificity (83.3%), positive (71.4%) and negative (83.3%) predictive values of anti-Ro52 antibodies to determine ILD in CTD is detailed in this study. Conclusion. Ro52 autoantibodies are associated with ILD in CTD excluding scleroderma. We suggest that the presence of anti-Ro52 reactivity in CTD should increase the clinician curiosity for the search of ILD.
- Are Anti-Ro52 Antibodies Associated with Pulmonary Involvement in Scleroderma?Publication . Ferreira, J.; Almeida, I.; Marinho, A.; Cerveira, C.; Vasconcelos, C.Abstract Introduction: The presence of anti-Ro52 antibodies has been reported in a wide variety of autoimmune diseases, particularly in myositis, scleroderma and autoimmune liver diseases. Clinical significance of anti-Ro52 antibodies remains controversial. Studies are lacking in clarifying the association of anti-Ro52 with pulmonary involvement in scleroderma. Objectives: To determine if anti-Ro52 antibodies are associated with pulmonary involvement (interstitial, indirect pulmonary hypertension, or both) in scleroderma. Methods: Single center, retrospective study based on immunoblotting panel analysis and patients clinical records. Pulmonary manifestations were sub-grouped in: 1) interstitial (alveolitis and/or fibrosis), 2) pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) ≥40 mmHg plus interstitial pulmonary disease, and 3) isolated PASP≥40 mmHg (purely vascular). Results: Our scleroderma cohort included 200 patients, of which 137 had immunoblotting panels with anti-Ro52 reactivity analysis. The search was conducted between January 2010 and July 2011. The frequency of pulmonary manifestations in patients with positive anti-Ro52 antibodies was 67.7% (n=31), and 60% (n=24) in the negative anti-Ro52 group, showing no significant differences between groups (p=0.621). Still no significant differences were found when pulmonary manifestations were evaluated according to the subgroups (p=0.525). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of anti-Ro52 reactivity for determining pulmonary involvement in scleroderma were low. Conclusion: No association was found between positive anti-Ro52 antibodies and pulmonary involvement in scleroderma.
- Autologous stem cell transplantation in a patient with severe systemic sclerosisPublication . Vaz, C.; Almeida, I.; Guedes, M.; Rosário, C.; Branca, R.; Campilho, F.; Roncon, S.; Vasconcelos, C.; Campos, A.Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic disease of the connective tissue, whose pathogenesis involves abnormalities of the immunological system. It has a variable course and there is a subgroup of patients with rapidly progressive disease or unresponsive to conventional treatment. Thesepatients can benefit from intensive immunosuppression and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Clinical case: 19-year-old (y.o.) woman diagnosed with SSc at the age of 13 y.o. with cutaneous, vascular and articular involvement with initial response to me thotrexate. Three years later the disease progressed with severe digestive involvement (dysphagia, delayed gastric emptying and weight loss) needing gastrostomy for nutritional support. She was treated with cyclophosphamide without improvement. In May 2012 she had an autologous transplant with myeloablative regimen (BEAM): carmustine 300 mg/m2 x1day; etoposide 120 mg/kg x4days; cytarabine 120 mg/kg 12/12:h x4days; melphalan 140 mg/m2 x1day. A year and a half after transplantation she is asymptomatic, without any signs or symptoms of the disease, feeds by mouth and the gastric emptying study is normal. Currently she is free of medication.
- AUTOMATED COLLECTION OF QUALITY-OF-LIFE DATA: TOUCH-SCREEN COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN PATIENTS WITH IMMUNE DISEASESPublication . Ribeiro, C.; Silveira, A.; Silva, I.; Ribeiro, C.; Vasconcelos, C.AUTOMATED COLLECTION OF QUALITY-OF-LIFE DATA: TOUCH-SCREEN COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN PATIENTS WITH IMMUNE DISEASES Claúdia Ribeiro1,2,3, Augusta Silveira4,3, Isabel Silva4, Catarina Ribeiro4, Carlos Vasconcelos2,3 1UCP, 2HSA/CHP, 3ICBAS/UP, 4UFP e 5HSMF. Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), Porto. Hospital de Santo António, Centro Hospitalar do Porto (HSA/CHP), Porto. Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto (ICBAS/UP), Porto. Universidade Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Porto. Hospital Santa Maria da Feira (HSMF), Porto. Background The increase of technological knowledge and methodology has allowed the practice of redirecting epidemiological research, particularly in the field of chronic disease. Although capable of controlling the accumulation of events and constraints imposed by the treatment can lead to a drastic change in quality of life (QoL) of subjects progressed to varying degrees of disability and death. In this perspective the Quality of Life Related to Health (HRQOL) has taken a leading role and its evaluation is indispensable in Medicine. Aim The aims of this study were (1) analyze the importance of HRQOL assessment as a tool for health promotion and a way of measuring the effectiveness of interventions in daily practice in patients with coexisting chronic immune system (PCSI), (2) evaluation of alternative methods for the automated collection of data on HRQOL and development of an electronic interface in sample of 320 patients, (3) creating a database to ascertain the epidemiological profile of PCSI, and identification of socio-economic, demographic and clinical data of these individuals, (4) using the QoL indicator as a predictor in decision treatment and use the preferences of patients. Methods A total of 473 patients with chronic diseases of the immune system, which were applied Graffar Index, SF-36v2, a demographic questionnaire and identification of clinical variables. Results The results of this investigation suggest that the demographic, socio-economic and clinics are associated with significant differences in QoL cumulative and chronic complications associated with different pathologies. The results verified the existence of significant correlations between the different diagnoses, duration of disease and therapy. In general, patients who have chronic diseases of the immune system such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, Bechet's disease, Sjögren's syndrome or infection with human immunodeficiency virus 1 or 2 showed a worse QoL than the general population. The derivations of preferences from the SF-36v2 exhibit strong correlations with the preferences measured with the SF-6D. Conclusions This suggests that both the application of the SF-36v2 as the SF-6D can be important sources of preferences to implement measures in economic evaluation in healthcare. HRQL can and should be integrated into immune clinical practice. The translation of graphical results given to the clinician at the beginning of the consultation, favors the rapid analysis of global values of the patient's HRQL. This assessment can be an excellent diagnostic tool to be used routinely in clinical practice or assisting in disease management and therapeutic decision making. Apresentador: Cláudia Ribeiro, Médica Dentista. Doutoranda, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.
- AVALIAÇÃO DOS SISTEMAS DE VIGILÂNCIA EPIDEMIOLÓGICA CENTRADA NO LABORATÓRIO - ANÁLISE DOS ÚLTIMOS QUATRO ANOSPublication . Aires, E.; Fernandes, A.; Rodrigues, P.; Santos, C.; Calado, E.; Aragão, I.; Marques, L.; Palma, L.; Lopes, L.; Polónia, J.; Oliveira, J.; Vasconcelos, C.AVALIAÇÃO DOS SISTEMAS DE VIGILÂNCIA EPIDEMIOLÓGICA CENTRADA NO LABORATÓRIO - ANÁLISE DOS ÚLTIMOS QUATRO ANOS Ernestina Aires1, Alexandra Fernandes1, Paula Rodrigues1, Cláudia Santos1,2, Elsa Calado1,2, Irene Aragão1, 3, Laura Marques1, 4, Lígia Palma1, 5, Luísa Lopes1, 5, José Polónia1, 6, Júlio Oliveira1, 7, Carlos Vasconcelos1, 8 1Comissão de Controlo da Infecção (CCI), HSA/CHP; 2Serviço de Microbiologia, HSA/CHP; 3Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos Polivalentes (UCIP), HSA/CHP;4Serviço de Pediatria Médica, HMP/CHP; 5Serviço de Neonatologia, MJD/CHP; 6 Serviço de Cirurgia/Unidade 2, HSA/CHP; 7 Serviço de Medicina A, HSA/CHP; 8Serviço de Imunologia Clinica, HSA/CHP Hospital de Santo António, Centro Hospitalar do Porto (HSA/CHP), Porto. Hospital Maria Pia, Centro Hospitalar do Porto (HMP/CHP), Porto. Maternidade Júlio Dinis, Centro Hospitalar do Porto (MJD/CHP), Porto. Introdução A vigilância epidemiológica é a monitorização de todos os aspectos da ocorrência e da propagação da doença que são pertinentes para o seu controlo efectivo. Implica colheita contínua, análise e interpretação dos dados, bem como a divulgação dos mesmos. Os objectivos da VE passam pelo reconhecimento atempado de surtos infecciosos, identificação de doentes infectados/colonizados, implementação de medidas de controlo de infecção adequadas a cada situação, avaliação da eficiência das medidas preventivas e produção de relatórios de acção pela comissão de controlo de infecção. Objectivos O objectivo deste estudo é analisar a incidência de infecção no Hospital Geral de Santo António (HSA), baseado num programa de VE com a finalidade de conhecer a incidência da infecção e promover a utilização dos dados locais na implementação de medidas de controlo de infecção. Material e Métodos Análise dos dados fornecidos pelo laboratório de microbiologia, através da aplicação informática “Vigi@ct”, que disponibiliza à Comissão de Controlo de Infecção os resultados microbiológicos dos produtos biológicos colhidos aos doentes internados no HSA, no período de 2007 a 2010. Resultados As infecções hospitalares têm decrescido. Verifica-se uma diminuição de 5,9 em 2007 para 4,9 infecções por 1000 dias de internamento em 2010. As Infecções do Trato Urinário são as mais frequentes, seguindo-se as Respiratórias. As Infecções da Corrente Sanguínea ocupam o terceiro lugar da tabela e a Infecção do Local Cirúrgico a quarta posição. Os serviços clínicos são envolvidos para discussão dos casos e decisão das medidas de controlo aplicáveis. É uma articulação dinâmica entre os profissionais dos serviços e a CCI, que permite obter resultados positivos no combate à Infecção Nosocomial, e consequente diminuição da incidência das Infecções Associadas aos Cuidados de Saúde. Discussão e Conclusões Os factores que influenciam o desenvolvimento de infecção nosocomial são geralmente a patogenicidade do microrganismo, os factores ambientais, a susceptibilidade do doente e a resistência bacteriana. Globalmente verifica-se que os internamentos têm aumentado, mantendo-se a demora média em cerca de 6 dias. O número de infecções tem reduzido progressivamente. Os microrganismos mais frequentemente identificados foram a Escherichia coli (988 isolados) e a Pseudomonas aeruginosa (778 isolados), seguidas do MRSA com 555 casos isolados. A avaliação dos sistemas de vigilância epidemiológica visa promover a melhor utilização dos recursos do sistema de saúde. Proporciona dados úteis relativamente às tendências das infecções e à eficácia das medidas de controlo de infecção recomendadas pela CCI e implementadas pelos profissionais de saúde. Apresentador: Ernestina Aires, Enfermeira, Comissão de Controlo da Infecção, HSA/CHP; Aluna de Mestrado em Infecções Associadas aos Cuidados de Saúde ECS/UCP.
- Changes in the Clonal Nature and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates Associated with Spread of the EMRSA-15 Clone in a Tertiary Care Portuguese HospitalPublication . Amorim, M.; Faria, N.; Oliveira, D.; Vasconcelos, C.; Cabeda, J.; Mendes, A.; Calado, E.; Castro, A.; Ramos, M.; Amorim, J.; Lencastre, H.Abstract Two hundred eighty methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates recovered from a tertiary care hospital in Oporto, Portugal, between 2003 and 2005 were studied by a combination of molecular typing techniques in order to investigate the genetic backgrounds associated with the changes in the resistance phenotypes observed since 2001 and compare them to those previously found in the hospital. All MRSA isolates were grouped into resistance profiles for a panel of seven antibiotics and characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and SCCmec (staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec) typing. Representative isolates of PFGE types were further studied by spa typing and multilocus sequence typing. Our findings clearly document that the increasing isolation of nonmultiresistant MRSA strains was associated with the decline (from 69% in 1996 to 2000 to 12% in 2003 to 2005) and massive replacement of the multiresistant Brazilian clone (ST239-IIIA) by the epidemic EMRSA-15 clone (ST22-IV), in which resistance to antibiotics other than beta-lactams is very rare, as the major clone (80% of isolates). The Iberian clone (ST247-IA), a major clone in 1992 to 1993, was represented in the present study by just one isolate. Two other pandemic MRSA clones were detected, as sporadic isolates, for the first time in our hospital: the New York/Japan (ST5-II) and the EMRSA-16 (ST36-II) clones. Furthermore, the pattern of susceptibility of MRSA isolates both to gentamicin and to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was shown to be an excellent phenotypic marker for the discrimination of the EMRSA-15 clone from other nonmultiresistant MRSA clones present in our hospital.
- Development and use of touch-screen computer-assisted self interviewing in Portuguese patients with chronic immune diseases: Evaluation of an electronic version of SF-36v2Publication . Ribeiro, C.; Moreira, L.; Silveira, A.; Silva, I.; Gestal, J.; Vasconcelos, C.Abstract Aim:The major purpose of this study was to evaluate alternative automated methods of collecting data on health related quality of life (HR-QoL). In order to achieve this, we developed a study with the following objectives: (1) to evaluated the feasibility of electronic version in patients with different chronic pathologies of the immune system using Short Form 36version2 (SF-36v2), (2) to evaluate the construct validity of SF-36v2 using the electronic data capture, and (3) to compare electronic version questionnaires with paper questionnaires in terms of patients ´ acceptance, data quality, and reliability. Methods:Out-patients with chronic immune diseases (HIV infection, lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, Behçet and Sjögren), were randomly selected to completed electronic and paper SF- 36v2 (n=50) before consultation in Clinical Immunology Unit, in Hospital Santo António-Centro Hospitalar do Porto (CI-HGSA). Results: There were very high correlations in SF- 36v2 responses (p< .001) between the paper and electronic forms. Internal reliability coefficients (Cronbach’s a) showed good internal consistency for all reported responses in either, computer and paper. There were no missing data in electronic version or paper. About 84% of the patients prefer to use the computer version in future. Conclusion: The electronic HR-QoL assessment is technically possible and it can provide reliable and valid clinically significant information which can either be used in routine care appointments.
- Early response to immunosuppressive therapy predicts good renal outcome in lupus nephritis: lessons from long-term followup of patients in the Euro-Lupus Nephritis Trial.Publication . Houssiau, F.A.; Vasconcelos, C.; D'Cruz, D.; Sebastiani, G.D.; de Ramon Garrido, E.; Danieli, M.G.; Abramovicz, D.; Blockmans, D.; Mathieu, A.; Direskeneli, H.; Galeazzi, M.; Gül, A.; Levy, Y.; Petera, P.; Popovic, R.; Petrovic, R.; Sinico, R.A.; Cattaneo, R.; Font, J.; Depresseux, G.; Cosyns, J.P.; Cervera, R.Arthritis Rheum. 2004 Dec;50(12):3934-40. Early response to immunosuppressive therapy predicts good renal outcome in lupus nephritis: lessons from long-term followup of patients in the Euro-Lupus Nephritis Trial. Houssiau FA, Vasconcelos C, D'Cruz D, Sebastiani GD, de Ramon Garrido E, Danieli MG, Abramovicz D, Blockmans D, Mathieu A, Direskeneli H, Galeazzi M, Gül A, Levy Y, Petera P, Popovic R, Petrovic R, Sinico RA, Cattaneo R, Font J, Depresseux G, Cosyns JP, Cervera R. Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. houssiau@ruma.ucl.ac.be Abstract OBJECTIVE: In the Euro-Lupus Nephritis Trial (ELNT), 90 patients with lupus nephritis were randomly assigned to a high-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide (IV CYC) regimen (6 monthly pulses and 2 quarterly pulses with escalating doses) or a low-dose IV CYC regimen (6 pulses of 500 mg given at intervals of 2 weeks), each of which was followed by azathioprine (AZA). After a median followup of 41 months, a difference in efficacy between the 2 regimens was not observed. The present analysis was undertaken to extend the followup and to identify prognostic factors. METHODS: Renal function was prospectively assessed quarterly in all 90 patients except 5 who were lost to followup. Survival curves were derived using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: After a median followup of 73 months, there was no significant difference in the cumulative probability of end-stage renal disease or doubling of the serum creatinine level in patients who received the low-dose IV CYC regimen versus those who received the high-dose regimen. At long-term followup, 18 patients (8 receiving low-dose and 10 receiving high-dose treatment) had developed permanent renal impairment and were classified as having poor long-term renal outcome. We demonstrated by multivariate analysis that early response to therapy at 6 months (defined as a decrease in serum creatinine level and proteinuria <1 g/24 hours) was the best predictor of good long-term renal outcome. CONCLUSION: Long-term followup of patients from the ELNT confirms that, in lupus nephritis, a remission-inducing regimen of low-dose IV CYC followed by AZA achieves clinical results comparable with those obtained with a high-dose regimen. Early response to therapy is predictive of good long-term renal outcome. PMID: 15593207 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
- Fluxo mediado pela dilatação: predictivo de úlceras digitais em doentes com Fenómeno de RaynaudPublication . Silva, I.; Loureiro, T.; Vasconcelos, C.; Almeida, R.
- HEALTH-STATE UTILITIES IN CHRONIC IMMUNE DISEASES: PILOT STUDYPublication . Ribeiro, C.; Silveira, A.; Marques, A.; Ribeiro, C.; Santos, I.; Vasconcelos, C.HEALTH-STATE UTILITIES IN CHRONIC IMMUNE DISEASES: PILOT STUDY Claúdia Ribeiro1,2,3, Augusta Silveira4,3, Augusta Marques5, Catarina Ribeiro4, Isabel Santos6,2,3, Carlos Vasconcelos2,3 1UCP, 2HSA/CHP, 3ICBAS/UP, 4UFP, 5HPA e 6HSMF. Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), Porto Hospital de Santo António, Centro Hospitalar do Porto (HSA/CHP), Porto. Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto (ICBAS/UP), Porto. Universidade Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Porto. Hospital Privado da Arrábida (HPA), Porto. Hospital Santa Maria da Feira (HSMF), Porto. Background Utility scores are used to estimate Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs), applied in determining the cost-effectiveness of health care interventions. In studies where no preference based measures are collected, indirect methods have been developed to estimate utilities from clinical instruments. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate a published method of estimating the Short Form-6D (SF-6D) (preference based) in patients with chronic immune diseases from Unidade de Imunologia Clínica do Hospital de Santo António - Centro Hospitalar do Porto and evaluate the impact of socio demographics economics and clinical characteristics on quality of life (QoL) and potential predictors for QoL improvements. Methods We enrolled 320 patients with chronic immune diseases (104 men and 226 women with a mean age: 45.21; 84 people living with HIV and 236 with chronic autoimmune diseases. All responders to the Portuguese SF-36 version 2.0 questionnaire can be assigned an SF-6D score provided the 11 items used in the SF-6D have been completed using a computerized administration. To assess socioeconomic status, we use the Graffer’s scale, clinical and demographic variables were assessed by a questionnaire specifically designed for the present study. Results The mean utility value was .595. Male, gender, young, single, individuals with high educational attainment level and Graffer’s scale Class high reported higher utility levels. As expected, those who takes therapeutics’ or have a higher length disease reported lower mean utility levels than those who were in a less severe stadium of the disease or without therapeutic. Conclusion This paper provides the first utilities obtained from a populations leave with chronic immune diseases. The preference-based measures used in this study distinguish patient groups with chronic immune diseases’ in terms of socio-demographics characteristics and clinical groups. The normative values can be used economic evaluation and clinical studies as they incorporate patient’s preferences and translate the value attribute to patients´ health state. Apresentador: Cláudia Ribeiro, Médica Dentista. Doutoranda, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.
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