Restoration of teeth with customized CAD/CAM glass fiber posts: report of 2 cases.

This article presents 2 cases in which computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) was used to fabricate glass fiber posts to restore an anterior tooth and a posterior tooth with severe coronal destruction. In the past decade, CAD/CAM technology has improved, allowing high-precision milling of customized glass fiber posts. This can enhance the biomechanical behavior of the restoration, as the post and core are milled in a single unit, decreasing the risk of failure near the core junction or in the body of the core. The customized post also provides better adaptation and requires a thinner layer of cement, thus minimizing voids. In case 1, the patient had a severely damaged maxillary right canine with a ferrule from a previous restoration. In case 2, the patient presented with a mandibular left first molar exhibiting severe coronal destruction. In both cases, impressions of the root canal were scanned with a bench scanner, and the posts were fabricated using a glass fiber material designed for CAD/CAM technology. A self-adhesive resin cement was used to cement the posts in the root canals, and a metal-free crown (case 1) and overlay (case 2) were fabricated and placed. Satisfactory retention and esthetics were achieved, and both patients was pleased by the final results. These cases demonstrate the viability of CAD/CAM to restore endodontically treated teeth, and this technology can be an option for dentists interested in using a digital workflow. The longevity of the posts produced via this technique needs to be evaluated in clinical trials.

Severe Hemorrhagic Syndrome After Lonomia Caterpillar Envenomation in the Western Brazilian Amazon: How Many More Cases Are There?

Contact with Lonomia caterpillars can cause a hemorrhagic syndrome. In Brazil, Lonomia obliqua and Lonomia achelous are known to cause this venom-induced disease. In the Brazilian Amazon, descriptions of this kind of envenomation are scarce. Herein, we report a severe hemorrhagic syndrome caused by Lonomia envenomation in the Amazonas state, Western Brazilian Amazon. The patient showed signs of hemorrhage lasting 8 days and required Lonomia antivenom administration, which resulted in resolution of hemorrhagic syndrome. Thus, availability of Lonomia antivenom as well as early antivenom therapy administration should be addressed across remote areas in the Amazon.

Stage at presentation of breast cancer in Luanda, Angola - a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: It is expected that, by 2020, 15 million new cases of cancer will occur every year in the world, one million of them in Africa. Knowledge of cancer trends in African countries is far from adequate, and improvements in cancer prevention efforts are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to characterize breast cancer clinically and pathologically at presentation in Luanda, Angola; we additionally provide quality information that will be useful for breast cancer care planning in the country. METHODS: Data on breast cancer cases were retrieved from the Angolan Institute of Cancer Control, from 2006 to 2014. For women diagnosed in 2009 (5-years of follow-up), demographic, clinical and pathological information, at presentation, was collected, namely age at diagnosis, parity, methods used for pathological diagnoses, tumor pathological characteristics, stage of disease and treatment. Descriptive statistics were performed. RESULTS: The median age of women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 was 47 years old (range 25-89). The most frequent clinical presentation was breast swelling with axillary lymph nodes metastasis (44.9 %), followed by a mass larger than 5 cm (14.2 %) and lump (12.9 %). Invasive ductal carcinoma was the main histologic type (81.8 %). Only 10.1 % of cancer cases had a well differentiated histological grade. Cancers were diagnosed mostly at advanced stages (66.7 % in stage III and 11.1 % in stage IV). DISCUSSION: In this study, breast cancer was diagnosed at a very advanced stage. Although it reports data from a single cancer center in Luanda, Angola it reinforces the need for early diagnosis and increasing awareness. According to the main challenges related to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment herein presented, we propose a realistic framework that would allow for the implementation of a breast cancer care program, built under a strong network based on cooperation, teaching, audit, good practices and the organization of health services. CONCLUSION: Angola needs urgently a program for early diagnosis of breast cancer.

Reference curves for BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio for Azorean adolescents (Portugal).

OBJECTIVE: There are no percentile curves for BMI, waist circumference (WC) or waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) available for Portuguese children and adolescents. The purpose of the present study was to develop age- and sex-specific BMI, WC and WHtR percentile curves for a representative sample of adolescents living in the Portuguese islands of Azores, one of the poorest regions of Europe, and to compare them with those from other countries. DESIGN: Cross-sectional school-based study. Weight, height and WC were objectively measured according to standard procedures. Smoothed percentile curves were estimated using Cole's LMS method. SETTING: Azores, Portugal. SUBJECTS: Proportionate stratified random sample of 1500 adolescents, aged 15-18 years. RESULTS: Results showed some sex differences in the shape of the BMI curves: in girls, the upper percentile values tend to decrease by the age of 16 and 17 years; whereas in boys, the upper percentiles tend to be flat between 15 and 16 years and then increase until the age of 18 years. In both sexes, the upper percentile values of both WC and WHtR decreased slightly by the age of 16 years and then increased steeply. In both sexes, the Azorean values for the 50th and 90th WC percentiles were higher than those reported for adolescents from the majority of other countries. CONCLUSIONS: The reference curves presented herein provide baseline data for the long-term surveillance of Azorean adolescents, as well as for national and international comparisons.

A proposed adaptation of the European Foundation for Quality Management Excellence Model to physical activity programmes for the elderly - development of a quality self-assessment tool using a modified Delphi process.

BACKGROUND: There has been a growing concern in designing physical activity (PA) programmes for elderly people, since evidence suggests that such health promotion interventions may reduce the deleterious effects of the ageing process. Complete programme evaluations are a necessary prerequisite to continuous quality improvements. Being able to refine, adapt and create tools that are suited to the realities and contexts of PA programmes for the elderly in order to support its continuous improvement is, therefore, crucial. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a self-assessment tool for PA programmes for the elderly. METHODS: A 3-round Delphi process was conducted via the Internet with 43 national experts in PA for the elderly, management and delivery of PA programmes for the elderly, sports management, quality management and gerontology, asking experts to identify the propositions that they considered relevant for inclusion in the self-assessment tool. Experts reviewed a list of proposed statements, based on the criteria and sub-criteria from the European Foundation for Quality Management Excellence Model (EFQM) and PA guidelines for older adults and rated each proposition from 1 to 8 (disagree to agree) and modified and/or added propositions. Propositions receiving either bottom or top scores of greater than 70% were considered to have achieved consensus to drop or retain, respectively. RESULTS: In round 1, of the 196 originally-proposed statements (best practice principles), the experts modified 41, added 1 and achieved consensus on 93. In round 2, a total of 104 propositions were presented, of which experts modified 39 and achieved consensus on 53. In the last round, of 51 proposed statements, the experts achieved consensus on 19. After 3 rounds of rating, experts had not achieved consensus on 32 propositions. The resulting tool consisted of 165 statements that assess nine management areas involved in the development of PA programmes for the elderly. CONCLUSION: Based on experts' opinions, a self-assessment tool was found in order to access quality of PA programmes for the elderly. Information obtained with evaluations would be useful to organizations seeking to improve their services, customer satisfaction and, consequently, adherence to PA programmes, targeting the ageing population.

Correction: Safety and efficacy of a freeze-dried trivalent antivenom for snakebites in the Brazilian Amazon: An open randomized controlled phase IIb clinical trial.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006068.].

A study protocol to evaluate the relationship between outdoor air pollution and pregnancy outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The present study protocol is designed to assess the relationship between outdoor air pollution and low birth weight and preterm births outcomes performing a semi-ecological analysis. Semi-ecological design studies are widely used to assess effects of air pollution in humans. In this type of analysis, health outcomes and covariates are measured in individuals and exposure assignments are usually based on air quality monitor stations. Therefore, estimating individual exposures are one of the major challenges when investigating these relationships with a semi-ecologic design. METHODS/DESIGN: Semi-ecologic study consisting of a retrospective cohort study with ecologic assignment of exposure is applied. Health outcomes and covariates are collected at Primary Health Care Center. Data from pregnant registry, clinical record and specific questionnaire administered orally to the mothers of children born in period 2007-2010 in Portuguese Alentejo Litoral region, are collected by the research team. Outdoor air pollution data are collected with a lichen diversity biomonitoring program, and individual pregnancy exposures are assessed with spatial geostatistical simulation, which provides the basis for uncertainty analysis of individual exposures. Awareness of outdoor air pollution uncertainty will improve validity of individual exposures assignments for further statistical analysis with multivariate regression models. DISCUSSION: Exposure misclassification is an issue of concern in semi-ecological design. In this study, personal exposures are assigned to each pregnant using geocoded addresses data. A stochastic simulation method is applied to lichen diversity values index measured at biomonitoring survey locations, in order to assess spatial uncertainty of lichen diversity value index at each geocoded address. These methods assume a model for spatial autocorrelation of exposure and provide a distribution of exposures in each study location. We believe that variability of simulated exposure values at geocoded addresses will improve knowledge on variability of exposures, improving therefore validity of individual exposures to input in posterior statistical analysis.

Turnout and Territorial Reform: Data from Sub municipal governments in Portugal.

This database is related to the voter turnout in five election cycles (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2017). The data was used in the original in the article "The effects of amalgamations on voter turnout: Evidence from sub-municipal governments in Portugal" (DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2020.102685). The evolution of turnout in Portuguese sub-municipal units (SMUs) has followed the trend of western democracies and recorded a continuous drop. The 2013 territorial reform of SMUs contributed to the increment of the gap of electors that choose not to cast a vote in the elections. Data provides further details on how the territorial reform had an impact on the level of electoral participation. It also adds data on SMUs turnout divided by type and whether or not SMUs were merged.

Snakebite by Micrurus averyi (Schmidt, 1939) in the Brazilian Amazon basin: Case report.

Micrurus snakes, commonly known as coral snakes, are responsible for 0.4% of the snakebites envenomings in Brazil. In this report, we describe a case of envenoming by Micrurus averyi, the black-headed coral snake, recorded in the western Brazilian Amazon. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published case perpetrated by this species. The major complaint of the patient was an intense local pain and paresthesia. Examination of the bite site revealed edema extending from the left foot up the left leg that was accompanied by erythema involving the foot and distal third of the leg. Systemic signs at admission included nausea and drooling. The patient was treated with 100 mL of coral snake antivenom and intravenous analgesics (dipyrone) and was discharged 48 h post-admission with no complaints. The patient showed more intense local edema than that generally described in several other cases of Micrurus bites in Brazil.

[Frequency of the antibody anti-Toxocara canis in a community along the Uatumã river, State of Amazonas]. / Freqüência de anticorpo anti-Toxocara canis em comunidade do Rio Uatumã, no Estado do Amazonas.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Waimiri and Atroari settlements in Balbina, between July and October 2006, with the aims of estimating the frequency of the antibody anti-Toxocara canis of the IgG class and studying the epidemiological and sociocultural variables. Thirty-four families were studied and 100 individuals were included, corresponding to 5% (100/2000) of the population of the settlements. The age range was 0-76 years (mean = 22.9; standard deviation = 18). The gender distribution was 53% female and 47% male. The samples were 52% positive for Toxocara canis, 44.5% negative and 3.2% inconclusive. The number of individuals who tested serologically negative in Atroari (29.5%; 13/44) was lower than in Waimiri (46.4%; 26/56). In relation to contact with dogs, among the 55 individuals with contact in their homes, 60% (33/55) were positive for Ac anti-Toxocara canis and 40% (22/55) were negative (chi2= 14.317; p = 0.026). Among the individuals who had contact in their homes with puppies, 66.6% (10/15) were serologically positive (chi2= 22.149; p=0.008). The existence of home contact with dogs and puppies showed an association with the presence of Ac anti-Toxocara canis in the study population.

In-Office Tooth Bleaching for Adolescents Using Hydrogen Peroxide-Based Gels: Clinical Trial.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate colorimetric changes and tooth sensitivity in adolescents and young patients submitted to tooth bleaching with 20% and 35% hydrogen peroxide. A randomized, controlled, clinical trial was conducted with 53 patients aged 11 to 24 years who were allocated to groups based on the use of the following commercial products: Whiteness HP - FGM® (35% hydrogen peroxide); Whiteness HP Blue Calcium - FGM® (35% hydrogen peroxide); and Whiteness HP Blue Calcium - FGM® (20% hydrogen peroxide). After the bleaching procedure, the visual analog scale was used to measure tooth sensitivity and the Vita Classical Shade guide was used to determine changes in tooth color. Statistical analysis involved the Friedman, Kruskal-Wallis and Student-Newman-Keuls tests, with p≤0.05 considered indicative of statistical significance. The addition of calcium contributed to a reduction in tooth sensitivity, especially when the lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide (20%) was used. Tooth sensitivity occurred in a transitory way and did not influence the tooth bleaching process. Significant differences in color were found after each of the two bleaching sessions. In-office tooth bleaching was considered an effective method for adolescents and young adults. Further studies in this population are necessary in order to fully evaluate the effects of bleaching in young teeth.

Safety and efficacy of a freeze-dried trivalent antivenom for snakebites in the Brazilian Amazon: An open randomized controlled phase IIb clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: In tropical areas, a major concern regarding snakebites treatment effectiveness relates to the failure in liquid antivenom (AV) distribution due to the lack of an adequate cold chain in remote areas. To minimize this problem, freeze-drying has been suggested to improve AV stability. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This study compares the safety and efficacy of a freeze-dried trivalent antivenom (FDTAV) and the standard liquid AV provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Health (SLAV) to treat Bothrops, Lachesis and Crotalus snakebites. This was a prospective, randomized, open, phase IIb trial, carried out from June 2005 to May 2008 in the Brazilian Amazon. Primary efficacy endpoints were the suppression of clinical manifestations and return of hemostasis and renal function markers to normal ranges within the first 24 hours of follow-up. Primary safety endpoint was the presence of early adverse reactions (EAR) in the first 24 hours after treatment. FDTAV thermal stability was determined by estimating AV potency over one year at 56°C. Of the patients recruited, 65 and 51 were assigned to FDTAV and SLAV groups, respectively. Only mild EARs were reported, and they were not different between groups. There were no differences in fibrinogen (p = 0.911) and clotting time (p = 0.982) recovery between FDTAV and SLAV treated groups for Bothrops snakebites. For Lachesis and Crotalus snakebites, coagulation parameters and creatine phosphokinase presented normal values 24 hours after AV therapy for both antivenoms. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Since promising results were observed for efficacy, safety and thermal stability, our results indicate that FDTAV is suitable for a larger phase III trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTNregistry: ISRCTN12845255; DOI: 10.1186/ISRCTN12845255 (http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12845255).

Scorpion envenoming caused by Tityus cf. silvestris evolving with severe muscle spasms in the Brazilian Amazon.

Scorpion stings are a public health problem in the Brazilian Amazon. However, detailed clinical characterization with the proper animal identification is scarce. Here we report a confirmed case of envenoming by Tityus cf. silvestris in the Brazilian Amazon. The case evolved with generalized muscle spasms and was treated with antivenom and supportive therapy, requiring intensive care unit admission. The patient evolved favourably and was discharged after 9 days of hospitalization.

Comparative evaluation of adverse effects in the use of powder trivalent antivenom and liquid antivenoms in Bothrops snake bites.

INTRODUCTION: Snake bite, a problem in public health, generally occurs where there is no electric power. METHODS: A comparative clinical study was conducted with 102 victims of Bothrops snake bite, from the state of Amazonas, Brazil; 58 victims were treated with liofilizated trivalent antivenom serum (SATL) and 44 victims treated with liquid bivalent and monovalent antivenom serum (SAMBL). RESULTS: 17% (10/58) of patients presented adverse effects with the SATL and 25% (11/44) with the SAMBL. CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistic difference in number of adverse effects between the two types of snake bite antivenom.

[Health system in the Health Region of Lisbon and Tagus Valley: beyond health centers and hospitals]. / Sistema de saúde na Região de Saúde de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo: para além dos centros de saúde e hospitais.

INTRODUCTION: This article describes the economic health complex in the Health Region of Lisbon and the Tagus River. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Databases for 2007, for enterprises, establishments and human resources, were made available by the Office of Strategy and Planning of the Ministry of Employment and Social Solidarity for the Health Region of Lisbon and the Tagus River. Also for the Health Region of Lisbon and the Tagus River, public sector hospital and health centre data was made available by the National, Statistics Office. The data were analyzed, with georeferentiation when relevant. RESULTS: The results allow a first glimpse of the economic health complex of the largest health region of Portugal. This economic complex includes 7180 enterprises and 8504 establishments with a staff establishment of 127 430. CONCLUSION: There are four large areas of health related economic activities: healthcare provision (mostly in the public sector), social support, commercialization of medicines and health products and other activities. The three last categories are mostly in the private sector.

Cancer in Angola, resources and strategy for its control.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is an increasingly important health problem in Africa. The number of cancer cases in this region could double, ranging between 700 000 and 1 600 000 new cases in 2030. The mortality rate is higher than 80% and is explained, mainly, by a lack of early detection, diagnostics and treatment resources. In Angola, about 7,000 patients die of cancer every year. METHODS: Data were derived from open-ended interviews conducted in 2010-11 with health authorities, clinicians, nurses and Administration of Hospitals. According Angola epidemiological data, results of interviews and international published advocacy for cancer control we develop a potential strategy for its control. The objectives are to identify existing resources for cancer control and describe the needs thereto, in order to establish an oncological program to guide the development of Angola cancer control strategies. RESULTS: Malaria remains the leading cause of illness and death in Angola, and other communicable diseases remain a public health problem. However, 9 000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year.The most common types of cancer are: cancer of the cervix, breast, prostate, esophagus, stomach and head and neck, as well as cancers with infectious origin, such as Kaposi's sarcoma and liver and bladder cancer. The foundation for developing national cancer control strategies includes: oncological data; investment and training; identifying and removing barriers; guidance and protection of the patient. Angolan National Cancer Centre, Sagrada Esperança Clinic and Girassol Clinic are now developing a cancer program. CONCLUSION: Improving the economic situation of Angola creates conditions for an increase in life expectancy which in itself is associated with an increased risk of oncological diseases. On the other hand, infectious diseases, associated with the risk of malignant tumors, are endemic. Thus, an increase in patients with malignant disease is expected. A plan is therefore necessary to organize the response to this old but less visible nosologic situation.

In-Office Tooth Bleaching for Adolescents Using Hydrogen Peroxide-Based Gels: Clinical Trial

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate colorimetric changes and tooth sensitivity in adolescents and young patients submitted to tooth bleaching with 20% and 35% hydrogen peroxide. A randomized, controlled, clinical trial was conducted with 53 patients aged 11 to 24 years who were allocated to groups based on the use of the following commercial products: Whiteness HP - FGM® (35% hydrogen peroxide); Whiteness HP Blue Calcium - FGM® (35% hydrogen peroxide); and Whiteness HP Blue Calcium - FGM® (20% hydrogen peroxide). After the bleaching procedure, the visual analog scale was used to measure tooth sensitivity and the Vita Classical Shade guide was used to determine changes in tooth color. Statistical analysis involved the Friedman, Kruskal-Wallis and Student-Newman-Keuls tests, with p≤0.05 considered indicative of statistical significance. The addition of calcium contributed to a reduction in tooth sensitivity, especially when the lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide (20%) was used. Tooth sensitivity occurred in a transitory way and did not influence the tooth bleaching process. Significant differences in color were found after each of the two bleaching sessions. In-office tooth bleaching was considered an effective method for adolescents and young adults. Further studies in this population are necessary in order to fully evaluate the effects of bleaching in young teeth.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar alterações colorimétricas e sensibilidade dentária em adolescentes e jovens submetidos ao clareamento dental com peróxido de hidrogênio a 20% e 35%. Foi realizado um ensaio clínico controlado e randomizado com 53 pacientes, com idade entre 11 e 24 anos, que foram alocados em grupos com base nos seguintes produtos comerciais: Whiteness HP - FGM® (35% peróxido de hidrogênio); Whiteness HP Blue Calcium - FGM® (peróxido de hidrogénio a 35%); e Whiteness HP Blue Calcium - FGM® (20% de peróxido de hidrogênio). Após o procedimento de clareamento, a escala analógica visual foi utilizada para medir a sensibilidade dentária e a escala clássica Vita® foi utilizada para determinar as alterações de coloração. A análise estatística envolveu os testes de Friedman, Kruskal-Wallis e Student-Newman-Keuls, com valor de p≤0,05 considerado indicativo de significância estatística. A adição de cálcio contribuiu para uma redução da sensibilidade dentária, especialmente quando se utilizou a menor concentração de peróxido de hidrogénio (20%). A sensibilidade dentária ocorreu de forma transitória e não influenciou o processo de clareamento dos dentes. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas na cor após cada uma das duas sessões de clareamento. O clareamento dental de consultório foi considerado um método eficaz para adolescentes e adultos jovens. Estudos adicionais nesta população são necessários para avaliar completamente os efeitos do clareamento em dentes jovens.

Study protocol: using the Q-STEPS to assess and improve the quality of physical activity programmes for the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Aging is one of the most important and obvious phenomenon observed in our society. In the past years, there has been a growing concern in designing physical activity (PA) programmes for elderly people, because evidence suggests that such health promotion interventions may reduce the deleterious effects of the ageing process. Accordingly, a growing body of literature points to the importance of a sound approach to planning and evaluation in order to improve the quality of PA programmes. However, while numerous PA programmes have been designed for the elderly in recent years, their evaluation has been scarce. Quality management processes and tools provide a practical way for organisations to assess, identify and shed light on the areas requiring improvement. The Quality Self-assessment Tool for Exercise Programmes for Seniors (Q-STEPS) seems to provide a framework tailored to evaluate PA programmes for the elderly. FINDINGS: The primary purpose of this study is 1) to determine feasibility, acceptability and usability of the Q-STEPS. Secondary purposes of the study are: 2) to examine the quality of the PA programmes for elderly people developed by the Portuguese Local Administration over a three-year period of self-assessments in terms of: a) Enabler domains (Leadership, Policy and Strategy, People, Partnership and Resources, Processes); b) Result domains (Customer Results, People Results, Society Results and Key Performance Results); 3) to estimate the association between the use of Q-STEPS and some indicators relating to the elderly participants, during the three self-assessments, such as: attendance rates, physical fitness, health-related quality of life and the elderly's perceived quality of the programme. The study will be conducted in PA programmes for elderly adults from mainland Portuguese municipalities over a three-year period. The project will adopt a participative quality improvement approach that features annual learning cycles of: 1) self-assessment with the Q-STEPS; 2) feedback to and interpretation of results involving programme's staff; 3) action planning to achieve system changes; 4) implementation of strategies for change; and 5) review process through further self-assessment. The study will collect a range of process and outcome data that will be used to achieve the research aims. DISCUSSION: It is our understanding that the results of the Q-STEPS study will contribute directly to the evidence based on effectiveness of continuous quality improvement approaches, in order to improve customer satisfaction and adherence to PA programmes targeting the ageing population. This comprehensive evaluation will also add significant new knowledge regarding the characteristics associated with a sustainable public service.

Evaluation of physical activity programmes for the elderly - exploring the lessons from other sectors and examining the general characteristics of the programmes.

BACKGROUND: In Portugal, there are several physical activity (PA) programmes for elderly people developed by the local government. The importance of these programmes has been increasing since the evidence has shown that this type of health promotion interventions may reduce the deleterious effects of the ageing process. However, no study has already identified the general characteristics of these programmes nor if they use any scheme to assess the quality of the service provided. A widely-used scheme is the EFQM Excellence Model, which will be in the core of our present work. Thus, the main aims of this preliminary study were 1) to identify the general characteristics of the PA programmes developed by the Portuguese Local Public Administration 2) to determine the extent of implementation of quality initiatives in these programmes. METHODS: Data were collected by an on-line questionnaire sent to all Continental Municipalities (n = 278). Categorical data were expressed as absolute counts and percentages. Continuous data were expressed as the mean and SD. An open-ended question was analysed using qualitative content analysis with QSR NVivo software. Associations between categorical variables were tested by the use of contingency tables and the calculation of chi-square tests. Significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Results showed: i) a total of 125 PA programmes were identified in the 18 districts of the Portugal mainland; ii) the main goal of the majority (95.2%) was the participants' health promotion; iii) different characteristics of the programmes were found according to different regions of the country; iv) certain characteristics of the programmes were associated to the existence of other features; v) only one PA programme developed quality initiatives. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, although there are many PA programmes for elderly people spread throughout the country, aiming at improving the health of participants, the overwhelming majority does not adopt quality control initiatives. Considering that the quality of a service increases customer satisfaction, the continuous quality improvement of the PA programmes for elderly people should therefore be implemented since they can be useful and critical for elderly satisfaction and adherence.