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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiac arrest (CA) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Many studies focus on survival, but few explore the outcomes. The aim of this study is to analyze the survival curve, independence, quality of life, and performance status after CA. METHODS: This retrospective study included adults admitted to the intensive care unit of Cova da Beira University Hospital Center after CA between 2015 and 2019. We analyzed patient records and applied a questionnaire including EuroQoL's EQ-5D-3L and ECOG performance status. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients were included (mean age 75.74 years). Thirty-one patients (32.0%) survived to hospital discharge. There was a significant loss of independence for activities of daily living, with 50.0% of those previously independent becoming dependent and 47.5% of those previously at home being institutionalized. Diabetes, female gender, and length of hospital stay were especially impactful on these findings. One year after CA, only 20.6% were alive and only 13.4% (65% of the one-year survivors) were independent. Nine patients answered our questionnaire. Mean EQ-5D quality of life index (0.528±0.297) and the most affected domains ('Pain/discomfort' and 'Anxiety/depression') were similar to the Portuguese population aged >30 years. However, 66.6% reported a decline in their quality of life. Lastly, seven respondents had a good performance status (ECOG 0-1). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant loss of independence after CA. Moreover, despite the acceptable performance status and the quality of life results being similar to the general population, there was a perceived deterioration post-CA. Ultimately, we emphasize the need to improve care for these patients.
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INTRODUCTION: Screening for autoantibodies in HEp-2 cells by indirect immunofluorescence is currently accepted as the gold-standard test for the diagnosis of systemic autoimmune diseases. The main objective of the International Consensus on ANA Patterns is to achieve a consensus on the nomenclature and description of antinuclear antibody morphological patterns. This work aims to build on the International Consensus on ANA Patterns project to establish a nomenclature consensus in Portugal, thus contributing to harmonization in autoimmune diagnosis and promoting diagnostic quality in autoimmune systemic rheumatic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participating laboratories identified all the nuclear and cytoplasmic pattern designations in the International Consensus on ANA Patterns (including the anti-cell pattern code), and matched them with the corresponding Portuguese nomenclature in use. The results were aggregated and used as a foundation for nomenclature harmonization work. Consensus meetings followed an iterative process, until a final consensual proposal was drafted. RESULTS: Prior agreement between laboratories was over 75% for 23 of the total 29 anti-cell patterns. The degree to which each laboratory is aligned with the International Consensus on ANA Patterns international reference ranges from 22.1% to 100%. It was possible to write a consensual version of the International Consensus on ANA Patterns nomenclature for Portugal. DISCUSSION: There was a good consensus basis for the nomenclature in the International Consensus on ANA Patterns, despite relevant differences with some translations. The study highlights the need for collaboration among laboratories towards an unambiguous description of laboratory results. CONCLUSION: This study shows that there is good potential for collaboration between laboratories in order to produce the consensus needed to improve diagnosis and patient follow-up.
Introdução: A pesquisa de autoanticorpos em células HEp-2 através de imunofluorescência indireta é o teste padrão atualmente aceite como a ferramenta central para o diagnóstico das doenças autoimunes sistémicas. O International Consensus on Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Patterns tem como objetivo principal alcançar um consenso na nomenclatura e na descrição dos diferentes padrões morfológicos de anticorpos antinucleares. Este trabalho tem como objetivo ampliar o projeto do International Consensus on ANA Patterns de forma a estabelecer um consenso em Portugal para a sua nomenclatura, procurando contribuir para a harmonização no diagnóstico autoimune e promover a qualidade diagnóstica nas doenças reumáticas sistémicas autoimunes.Material e Métodos: Os laboratórios participantes identificaram cada designação de padrão citoplasmático e nuclear do International Consensus on ANA Patterns (incluindo o código padrão anti-célula), e fizeram corresponder a cada uma a respetiva nomenclatura portuguesa em uso. Os resultados foram agregados e serviram de base ao trabalho de harmonização da nomenclatura. Seguiram-se reuniões de consenso, num processo iterativo até à redação de uma proposta final consensualizada.Resultados: A concordância prévia entre laboratórios era superior a 75% para 23 do total de 29 padrões anti-célula. O grau em que cada laboratório está alinhado com a referência internacional do International Consensus on ANA Patterns varia entre 22,1% e 100%. Foi possível elaborar uma versão consensualizada da nomenclatura do International Consensus on ANA Patterns para Portugal.Discussão: Existia uma boa base de consenso para a nomenclatura do International Consensus on ANA Patterns, mas com diferenças importantes em algumas das traduções da terminologia. O estudo realça a necessidade de colaboração entre laboratórios para uma descrição inequívoca dos resultados laboratoriais.Conclusão: Este trabalho mostra o potencial positivo da colaboração entre laboratórios para gerar consensos que contribuam para a melhoria do diagnóstico e acompanhamento dos doentes.
