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INTRODUCTION: Several clinical trials have established the efficacy and safety of dupilumab for treating atopic dermatitis (AD). However, literature remains scarce in reporting the long-term effectiveness, safety, and drug survival of dupilumab in real-world settings. This study aimed to describe the latter outcomes of dupilumab in patients with AD. METHODS: This Portuguese, multicentric, observational, retrospective study included consecutive adult patients with AD who initiated dupilumab between January 2019 and September 2023, with a follow-up period up to 30 months. Drug discontinuation and adverse effects data were used to estimate drug survival. Clinical assessments included the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), pruritus numerical rating scale (NRS), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). RESULTS: A total of 312 patients were included in the study, with 56.4% being male (median age of 30 years, range 18-83). The 30-month drug survival rate was 82.0%. During the study period, 12.5% of the sample (n = 39 patients) discontinued treatment: 7.3% due to treatment failure, 2.9% due to safety concerns, 1.3% due to complete disease control, 0.6% due to pregnancy, and 0.3% due to lack of compliance. Adverse events not leading to drug discontinuation were noted in 25.6% of the sample (n = 80). Conjunctivitis was the most frequently reported adverse event (17%), followed by facial erythema (9%). At 30 months, the mean EASI decreased significantly from 27.30 ± 11.89 at baseline to 2.92 ± 3.96 (p < 0.001), reflecting an overall improvement of 89.3%. Similarly, pruritus NRS decreased from 7.36 ± 1.90 at baseline to 1.74 ± 2.16 at month 30 (p < 0.001), improving by 76.4%, and mean DLQI changed from 18.0 ± 7.09 at baseline to 2.67 ± 3.95 at month 30 (p < 0.001), decreasing by 85.2%. CONCLUSIONS: This study increases our current understanding of dupilumab in real-world settings, demonstrating its long-term effectiveness and safety in treating AD.
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The bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft or allograft is a well-established option for primary or revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, although the length and width of the graft are relatively consistent, its thickness is unpredictable and can impact the biomechanical properties of the ACL graft. This technical note describes a technique for arthroscopic ACL reconstruction called the "BPTB-plus" technique, which consists of a BPTB graft augmented by the gracilis tendon.
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OBJECTIVES: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, life-threatening skin inflammatory disorder. This study aimed to describe the disease course, treatment strategies, and healthcare utilization among patients with GPP in Portugal. METHODS: This multicentric, observational, retrospective study included consecutive adult patients with GPP undergoing a dermatology evaluation in different reporting institutions by experienced dermatologists between 2002 and 2023. RESULTS: A total of 59 patients were assessed. Most of the cohort had a previous history of plaque psoriasis (71%) and 83% presented at least one comorbidity. At the initial encounter, 64% of the cohort needed hospitalization. Systemic involvement was common, including fever (37%), and elevated white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate/C-reactive protein (49%). Nearly, 73% of patients initiated systemic drugs, and 70% had to discontinue the first treatment. During the study, 98% of patients experienced at least one flare. At the last visit, 3.4% of patients had died, and 71.2% exhibited signs of active disease despite undergoing treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that GPP is a chronic, debilitating condition associated with systemic involvement, frequent flares, and hospitalizations, despite receiving multiple systemic treatments. Improved disease awareness and new treatments are needed to improve patient care and decrease the burden of the disease.
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Efeitos Psicossociais da Doença , Hospitalização , Psoríase , Humanos , Psoríase/terapia , Psoríase/patologia , Psoríase/tratamento farmacológico , Psoríase/diagnóstico , Estudos Retrospectivos , Portugal/epidemiologia , Masculino , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto , Hospitalização/estatística & dados numéricos , Idoso , Comorbidade , Fármacos Dermatológicos/uso terapêutico , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Índice de Gravidade de DoençaRESUMO
The resurgence of Mpox, predominantly among men who have sex with men (MSM), has prompted an analysis of its clinical manifestations and epidemiological patterns, particularly in individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This retrospective study aims to delineate and compare the clinical presentations and epidemiological characteristics of Mpox among HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals. A total of 58 confirmed Mpox cases from a dermatology department in Lisbon were analyzed, focusing on mucocutaneous manifestations, systemic symptoms, and laboratory parameters. Our findings indicate no significant difference in disease severity and presentation between HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups, suggesting that HIV status may not be a determinant of Mpox severity, but rather an indicator of increased sexual risk behaviors, a recognized risk factor for Mpox transmission.
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Infecções por HIV , Soropositividade para HIV , Mpox , Minorias Sexuais e de Gênero , Masculino , Humanos , HIV , Estudos Retrospectivos , Homossexualidade Masculina , Infecções por HIV/complicações , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologiaRESUMO
A model for the morphology (size, shape, and crystallinity) of carbon dots (CDs) in the solid state consistent with the observed photoluminescence in solution is proposed herein. Overwhelming evidence has been collected that links the data coming from solid-state analysis (high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS)) to that of solution (pulsed-field gradient (PFG)-NMR spectroscopy, time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy (TRFA), and steady-state/time-resolved fluorescence), allowing the establishment of an overall structural model for CDs. According to this model, the so-called carbon dots, observed under HRTEM imaging, are in fact supramolecular organized structures dynamically assembled from small to medium-sized molecular species when the solvent is removed to give the solid form. In this way, the imaged nanoparticles (TEM/AFM) are not covalently bound entities formed during the synthetic process, but instead supramolecular entities formed by noncovalent interactions. These particles, if at all present in solution, have the form of loose associations of relatively small molecules. This study was conducted on CDs obtained from the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of a biomass waste (olive wet pomace).
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Invited for the cover of this issue are José Prata and co-workers at Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa and Instituto Superior Técnico. The image depicts a model for the supramolecular nature of carbon dots. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202302955.
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Perilunate fracture dislocation with an elbow dislocation, it is referred to as a floating forearm. Very few cases have been described worldwide. We report a case of a 37-year-old man diagnosed with a floating forearm (trans-scaphoid perilunate fracture dislocation combined with a terrible triad injury), after a fall of the top of an olive tree. Urgent closed reduction of the elbow and wrist was obtained. A double approach to the wrist was used: dorsal approach to fix the scaphoid and to reduce the carpus and a volar approach to release the median nerve and repair the volar capsule. A lateral approach to the elbow was performed to fix the radial head and to repair the lateral collateral ligament. At 3 months postoperative, the patient had no pain in the elbow and in the wrist. He returned to Work with some restriction at 4-month post operatively.
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A phytobezoar is a conglomerate of improperly digested fruit and vegetable debris, and its development is associated, amongst other factors, with previous gastric surgery. Most phytobezoars remain asymptomatic and are incidentally found during imaging or interventional procedures. However, in some patients, they can cause small bowel obstruction, which can subsequently lead to severe complications. Although the clinical findings are similar to other causes of intestinal obstruction, there are some particular diagnostic and treatment features more specific to phytobezoars. We present a case of an 85-year-old man with a history of previous antrectomy and Billroth II reconstruction who came to the emergency department with bilateral aspiration pneumonia and intestinal obstruction due to a bezoar. The CT scan showed bilateral inferior lobe pulmonary consolidation, as well as a marked dilation of the small bowel with gas-fluid levels and a transition to normal caliber in the terminal ileum, where an oval mottled-appearing mass suggesting a bezoar was present. An urgent laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis, and an enterotomy with removal of the bezoar was performed. Phytobezoars must be considered as a cause of intestinal obstruction, particularly when patients have a history of previous gastric surgery. Its radiological findings, particularly in CT scans, are specific and should be appreciated to establish the diagnosis promptly. The treatment of small bowel obstruction due to a phytobezoar requires surgery most of the time, and the surgeon must bear in mind the need to look for the existence of other bezoars in the gastrointestinal tract to prevent reoccurrence.
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Giant cell tumors (GCTs) of the ischium are rare and often diagnosed at an advanced stage. In fact, there is no defined treatment algorithm to treat this lesion. We present two case reports of Campanacci's stage three ischiopubic GCT confirmed with biopsy. They were effectively treated with excision of the ischiopubic ramus, aggressive curettage, drilling, and phenolization at the margins. The surgery was performed in a gynecological position with an approach over the ischiopubic ramus. Both cases present no recurrence (two and 10-year follow-up), and neither has a significant impact on the quality of life. A thorough plan and surgical technique were essential for the success of this intervention.
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Unilateral shoulder dislocation is known to be one of the most common joint dislocations. However, simultaneous bilateral shoulder dislocations are rare, especially anterior dislocations. We report a case of an 84-year-old woman who presented to the urgency room with symmetrical bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation 12 hours after falling on a treadmill. She presented with bilateral pain, functional impairment, prominent acromion, flattened shoulder, and, in the right upper limb, paresthesias on the dorsum of the hand and extension deficit of the fingers. Closed reduction of both shoulders was performed under sedation, and she was immobilized bilaterally with an arm sling in internal rotation. A full recovery was achieved six months after the injury.
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Failure of osteosynthesis is a common complication of the nailing of trochanteric fractures which typically occurs through form of cut-out. Tip-Apex distance (TAD), Calcar Tip-Apex distance (CalTAD), and Chang criteria are validated variables to predict failure of cephalomedullary nailing. This is a retrospective study which analyzes treatment of trochanteric fractures from 2018 to 2020 (n = 296) evaluating postoperative radiographs and factors of mechanical failure. Our objective was to assess correlation among these variables and their influence on mechanical failure, either individually or creating a new score. Our results support the CalTAD and Chang's criteria as valid predictors of mechanical failure. Furthermore, they empathize the importance of fracture reduction and proper placement of cervical screw. To our knowledge, this is the first study performing multivariate analysis including these 3 variables.
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Fixação Intramedular de Fraturas , Fraturas do Quadril , Humanos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Pinos Ortopédicos , Fixação Intramedular de Fraturas/métodos , Fraturas do Quadril/diagnóstico por imagem , Fraturas do Quadril/cirurgia , Parafusos Ósseos , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Water scarcity affects already a large part of the world's population. To overcome this situation, water management is needed, and wastewater reuse must be implemented and included as a new approach. To achieve that objective water quality must comply with the parameters established in the Regulation (EU) 2020/741 of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union and new treatment solutions have to be developed. The main goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the peracetic acid (PAA) disinfection efficiency in a real wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in order to accomplish the wastewater reuse objective. To this end, six disinfection conditions were studied, three PAA doses (5, 10, and 15) and three contact times (5, 10, and 15) based on the commonly used disinfection operational conditions in real WWTP. Comparing the Total Suspended Solids (TSS), turbidity, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and Escherichia coli content, after and before the disinfection step, was possible to conclude that PAA ensures the Regulation (EU) 2020/741 requirements and that the disinfected effluent can be reused for several uses. All the conditions in which the PAA dose was 15 mg/L and the condition with 10 mg/L of PAA with a contact time of 15 min were the most promising, presenting the second highest water quality class achieved. The results of this study illustrate the potential of PAA as an alternative disinfectant for wastewater treatment and, bring it closer to the water reuse objective by presenting several possibilities for water uses.