Iodine knowledge is associated with iodine status in Portuguese pregnant women: results from the IoMum cohort study.

Lack of knowledge about iodine has been suggested as a risk factor for iodine deficiency in pregnant women, but no studies have addressed this issue in Portugal. So, the aim of this study was to investigate iodine knowledge among Portuguese pregnant women and its association with iodine status. IoMum, a prospective observational study, included 485 pregnant women recruited at Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de S. João, Porto, between the 10th and 13th gestational weeks. Partial scores for knowledge on iodine importance, on iodine food sources or on iodised salt were obtained through the application of a structured questionnaire. Then, a total iodine knowledge score was calculated and grouped into low, medium and high knowledge categories. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured in spot urine samples by inductively coupled plasma MS. Of the pregnant women, 54 % correctly recognised iodine as important to neurocognitive development, 32 % were unable to identify any iodine-rich food and 71 % presented lack of knowledge regarding iodised salt. Of the women, 61 % had a medium total score of iodine knowledge. Knowledge on iodine importance during pregnancy was positively associated with iodine supplementation and also with UIC. Nevertheless, median UIC in women who correctly recognised the importance of iodine was below the cut-off for adequacy in pregnancy (150 µg/l). In conclusion, knowledge on iodine importance is positively associated with iodine status. Despite this, recognising iodine importance during pregnancy may not be sufficient to ensure iodine adequacy. Literacy-promoting actions are urgently needed to improve iodine status in pregnancy.

The association of milk and dairy consumption with iodine status in pregnant women in Oporto region.

The role of milk and dairy products in supplying iodine to pregnant women is unknown in Portugal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between milk and dairy product consumption and the iodine status of pregnant women in the IoMum cohort of the Oporto region. Pregnant women were recruited between 10 and 13 weeks of gestation, when they provided a spot urine sample and information on lifestyle and intake of iodine-rich foods. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was determined by inductively coupled plasma MS. A total of 468 pregnant women (269 iodine supplement users and 199 non-supplement users) were considered eligible for analysis. Milk (but not yogurt or cheese) intake was positively associated with UIC, in the whole population (P = 0·02) and in the non-supplement users (P = 0·002), but not in the supplement users (P = 0·29). In non-supplement users, adjusted multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that milk consumption <3 times/month was associated with a five times increased risk of having UIC < 50 µg/l when compared with milk consumption ≥2 times/d (OR 5·4; 95 % CI 1·55, 18·78; P = 0·008). The highest UIC was observed in supplement users who reported consuming milk once per d (160 µg/l). Milk, but not yogurt or cheese, was positively associated with iodine status of pregnant women. Despite the observed positive association, daily milk consumption may not be sufficient to ensure adequate iodine intake in this population.

GO-DACT: a phase 3b randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of GOlimumab plus methotrexate (MTX) versus placebo plus MTX in improving DACTylitis in MTX-naive patients with psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of golimumab in combination with methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX monotherapy in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) dactylitis. METHODS: Multicentre, investigator-initiated, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-design phase 3b trial in 11 Portuguese rheumatology centres. Patients with PsA along with active dactylitis and naive to MTX and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) were randomly assigned to golimumab or placebo, both in combination with MTX. The primary endpoint was Dactylitis Severity Score (DSS) change from baseline to week 24. Key secondary endpoints included DSS and Leeds Dactylitis Index (LDI) response, and changes from baseline in the LDI and MRI dactylitis score. Analysis was by intention-to-treat for the primary endpoint. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients received golimumab plus MTX and 23 MTX monotherapy for 24 weeks. One patient from each arm discontinued. Patient inclusion was halted at 50% planned recruitment due to a favourable interim analysis. Median baseline DSS was 6 in both arms. By week 24, patients treated with golimumab plus MTX exhibited significantly greater improvements in DSS relative to MTX monotherapy (median change of 5 vs 2 points, respectively; p=0.026). In the golimumab plus MTX arm, significantly higher proportions of patients achieved at least 50% or 70% improvement in DSS and 20%, 50% or 70% improvement in LDI in comparison to MTX monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of golimumab and MTX as first-line bDMARD therapy is superior to MTX monotherapy for the treatment of PsA dactylitis. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02065713.

Validation of Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life (RAQoL) Questionnaire into Portuguese Language.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease with high impact on patients´ quality of life (QoL). The Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RAQoL) is a self-completed questionnaire designed to assess QoL in patients with RA. A Portuguese adaptation of the RAQoL was available but required formal validation. AIM: To validate the RAQoL into the Portuguese language. METHODS: Patients with diagnosis of RA were included. The Portuguese RAQoL was administered on two occasions, 14 days apart. Participants also completed the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) at Time 1. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and reliability through Spearman's Correlation Coefficient. Construct validity was evaluated through Spearman's correlation analyses between RAQoL, NHP and HAQ. Known-group validity was tested comparing the RAQoL across different groups, considering self-perceived general health status, flare symptoms and RA severity through non-parametric tests. RESULTS: 178 RA patients (mean age 56.6, 82% female, mean disease duration 13.6 years) were included. The mean score of RAQoL was 11, with low rates of missing data (3.9%), floor (4.5%) and ceiling (2.2%) effects. Cronbach's α was 0.95 and test-retest reliability 0.92. RAQoL scores correlated moderately with scores on the NHP Physical Mobility (r=0.77), Emotional reactions (r=0.69), Pain (r=0.68) and Energy (r=0.65) section scores. RAQoL showed to be discriminative for groups according to self-perceived general health status, flare of arthritis and disease severity. CONCLUSION: The Portuguese version of the RAQoL is a valid, feasible and reliable questionnaire, suitable for use in clinical practice and research purposes.

The GO-DACT protocol: a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study to compare the efficacy of golimumab in combination with methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX monotherapy.

The GO-DACT is an investigator-initiated, national, multicentric randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded trial, that assesses dactylitis as primary endpoint. Psoriatic arthritis patients naïve to methotrexate and biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, with at least one active dactylitis, were assigned to golimumab in combination with methotrexate or placebo in combination with methotrexate, for 24 weeks. Both clinical (dactylitis severity score and the Leeds dactylitis index) and imaging (high resolution magnetic resonance imaging), among others, were assessed as outcomes. The main objective of GO-DACT is to provide evidence to improve the treatment algorithm and care of psoriatic arthritis patients with active dactylitis. In this manuscript we describe the GO-DACT protocol and general concepts of the methodology of this trial.

Genetic Screening of Mutations Associated with Fabry Disease in a Nationwide Cohort of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Patients.

Fabry's disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder associated with an alpha-galactosidase A deficiency. The prevalence of FD among juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients with established diagnosis is unknown, but as musculoskeletal pain may be an important complaint at presentation, misdiagnosed cases are anticipated. With this study, we aim to calculate the frequency of FD-associated mutations in a cohort of JIA patients. Children with JIA from a national cohort were selected. Clinical and laboratorial information was recorded in the Portuguese rheumatic diseases register (http://Reuma.pt). Molecular genetic testing to detect GLA gene mutations was performed. After the multiplex polymerase chain reactions technique for DNA amplification, direct sequencing of the complete sequence of GLA gene was completed. From a cohort of 292 patients with JIA (188 females, 104 males), mutations were identified in 5 patients (all female). Four patients had the mutation D313Y, a rare GLA variant, which is associated with low enzymatic levels in plasma, but normal lysosomal levels. One patient presented the missense mutation R118C, which was previously described in Mediterranean patients with FD. This is the first screening of FD mutations in a cohort of JIA patients. No "classic" pathogenic FD mutations were reported. The late-onset FD-associated mutation, R118C, was found in a frequency of 0.34% (1/292).

Real-life effectiveness of Golimumab in biologic-naïve patients with rheumatoid arthritis - data from the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt).

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of subcutaneous Golimumab 50 mg/monthly combined with methotrexate (SC GLM + MTX) over 52 weeks of treatment, in biologic-naïve RA patients, in a multicentre nationwide cohort from the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt). METHODS: Data for this observational study was collected from March 2011 to August 2015. Disease activity (DAS28), functional capacity (HAQ) and Patient Global Disease Assessment (PGDA) were measured at baseline and weeks 12, 24 and 52 of treatment. The primary objective was clinical remission over 52 weeks (1 year) and secondary objectives were: functional response and functional remission over 52 weeks, variation of individual components of DAS over time and treatment persistence at week 52. Comparison between baseline variables of subjects with and without clinical remission was performed. The SC GLM + MTX persistence rate was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox proportional hazard model approach was used to evaluate predictive factors of persistence, response and remission. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients were enrolled in the study: 94 (86.2%) female, mean age 55.5±13.2 years, mean age at diagnosis 45.5±13.5 years, mean age at beginning of treatment with biologic agents 53.1±13.1 years; 78.1% positive for serum rheumatoid factor. All patients were biologic-naïve and had active disease, despite previous treatment with conventional DMARDs. At the time of this analysis, 93 patients had a follow-up time of at least 52 weeks (i.e. started treatment before August 2014). Of this group, 38.3% achieved clinical remission, 91.9% functional response and 35.2% functional remission, over 52 weeks. Treatment persistence was 75.3% at 1 year. Disease activity indices were all statistically significantly lower at 12, 24 and 52 weeks when compared to baseline. Older age at diagnosis was associated to a lower probability of clinical remission (HR= 0.96, p= 0.031) whereas higher C-reactive protein baseline levels were associated with a lower probability of functional response (HR= 0.54; p= 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Golimumab 50 mg + MTX showed effectiveness in the treatment of patients with active RA, in accordance to what previously observed in clinical trials. A consistent and significant decrease in RA disease activity through 52 weeks of treatment and a significant functional improvement were observed, as well as a high persistence on treatment.

Teletrabalho: contributos e desafios para as organizações / Teleworking: contributions and challenges for organizations / Teletrabajo: contribuciones y desafíos para las organizaciones

O teletrabalho tem vindo a conquistar crescente posição em vários países, destacando-se mais ainda, presentemente, na sequência do surto pandémico da COVID-19 que veio impor, ao mundo inteiro, confinamento obrigatório. Com a presente investigação, procurou-se analisar a produção científica em língua portuguesa, disponibilizada na b-on, entre 2015 e 2020, focando simultaneamente os contributos e os desafios que o teletrabalho acarreta para as organizações. A revisão sistemática levada a cabo assentou num conjunto de 11 artigos científicos, publicados em 8 revistas brasileiras, conseguidos mediante a pesquisa de 4 palavras-chave: "teletrabalho", "trabalho remoto", "trabalho virtual" e "trabalho à distância". Os resultados obtidos realçam inúmeras vantagens, mas também apontam para um conjunto de desafios que afetam as empresas, a sociedade e a qualidade de vida dos trabalhadores. Parte dos estudos privilegiou uma investigação transversal, de cariz qualitativo, com a aplicação de questionários e a análise de conteúdo para o tratamento dos dados. Sugerem-se novos estudos neste campo, alinhados com o cenário da COVID-19, essencialmente junto das empresas até então assumidas como inexperientes nesta área.

Telecommuting has been gaining an increasing position in several countries, standing out even more, at present, following the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 that imposed mandatory confinement on the entire world. With this research, we sought to analyze the Portuguese scientific writing, made available at b-on, between 2015 and 2020, focusing simultaneously on the contributions and challenges that teleworking brings to organizations. The systematic review carried out was based on a set of 11 scientific articles, published in 8 Brazilian magazines, obtained through the search for 4 keywords: "telework", "remote work", "virtual work" and "distance work". The results obtained highlight numerous advantages, but also point to a set of challenges, which affect companies, society and the quality of life of workers. Part of the studies favored a cross-sectional, qualitative investigation, with the application of questionnaires and content analysis for data processing. Further studies in this field are suggested, in line with the COVID-19 scenario, essentially with companies hitherto assumed to be inexperienced in this area.

El teletrabajo ha ido ganando una posición creciente en varios países, destacándose aún más, en la actualidad, luego del brote pandémico de COVID-19 que impuso el confinamiento obligatorio en todo el mundo. Con esta investigación, buscamos analizar la producción científica en lengua portuguesa, disponible en b-on, entre 2015 y 2020, enfocándonos simultáneamente en las contribuciones y desafíos que el teletrabajo trae a las organizaciones. La revisión sistemática realizada se basó en un conjunto de 11 artículos científicos, publicados en 8 revistas brasileñas, obtenidos mediante la búsqueda de 4 palabras clave: "teletrabajo", "trabajo remoto", "trabajo virtual" y "trabajo a distancia". Los resultados obtenidos destacan numerosas ventajas, pero también apuntan a un conjunto de retos que afectan las empresas, la sociedad y la calidad de vida de los trabajadores. Parte de los estudios favoreció una investigación transversal y cualitativa, con la aplicación de cuestionarios y análisis de contenido para el procesamiento de datos. Se sugieren estudios adicionales en este campo, en línea con el escenario COVID-19, esencialmente con compañías que hasta ahora se suponía que no tenían experiencia en esta área.

Klebsiella pneumoniae Spinal Epidural Abscess treated conservatively: case report and review.

Spinal infections are rare but potentially life-threatening disorders. A high level of clinical suspicion is necessary for rapid diagnosis and treatment initiation. The treatment combines both antibiotics and surgical intervention in the vast majority of cases. The authors report the case of a 84-year old female patient with a three week history of persistent lumbar back pain radiating to both thighs following a lower respiratory tract infection. She had lumbar spine tenderness but no neurological compromise. Her inflammatory markers were elevated and lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed L4-L5 spondylodiscitis with spinal epidural abscess. Blood cultures isolated Klebsiella pneumoniae and, since she was neurologically stable, conservative treatment with two-week intravenous gentamicin and eight-week intravenous ceftriaxone was initiated with positive inpatient and outpatient evolution.

Spectrum of ankylosing spondylitis in Portugal. Development of BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI and mSASSS reference centile charts.

The availability of population-specific normative data regarding disease severity measures is essential for patient assessment. The goals of the current study were to characterize the pattern of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Portuguese patients and to develop reference centile charts for BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI and mSASSS, the most widely used assessment tools in AS. AS cases were recruited from hospital outpatient clinics, with AS defined according to the modified New York criteria. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. All radiographs were evaluated by two independent experienced readers. Centile charts for BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI and mSASSS were constructed for both genders, using generalized linear models and regression models with duration of disease as independent variable. A total of 369 patients (62.3% male, mean ± (SD) age 45.4 ± 13.2 years, mean ± (SD) disease duration 11.4 ± 10.5 years, 70.7% B27-positive) were included. Family history of AS in a first-degree relative was reported in 17.6% of the cases. Regarding clinical disease pattern, at the time of assessment 42.3% had axial disease, 2.4% peripheral disease, 40.9% mixed disease and 7.1% isolated enthesopatic disease. Anterior uveitis (33.6%) was the most common extra-articular manifestation. The centile charts suggest that females reported greater disease activity and more functional impairment than males but had lower BASMI and mSASSS scores. Data collected through this study provided a demographic and clinical profile of patients with AS in Portugal. The development of centile charts constitutes a useful tool to assess the change of disease pattern over time and in response to therapeutic interventions.

Etanercept in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and nephrotic syndrome in the context of AA amyloidosis: A 48-month follow-up / Etanercept en el tratamiento de la espondilitis anquilosante y el síndrome nefrótico en el contexto de la amiloidosis aa: un seguimiento de 48 meses

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[Practical guide for the use of biological agents in rheumatoid arthritis - December 2011 update]. / Guia prático de utilização de terapêuticas biotecnológicas na artrite reumatóide - actualização de Dezembro 2011.

The authors review the practical aspects of biological therapy use for rheumatoid arthritis patients, commenting safety issues before and after treatment initiation and the best treatment strategies to optimize efficacy.

[Eosinophilic fasciitis and aplastic anemia]. / Fasceíte eosinofílica e aplasia medular.

Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare rheumatic condition characterized by inflammatory thickening of the skin and fascia, peripheral eosinophilia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hypergammaglobulinemia. Internal organ involvement is uncommon. It is often difficult to diagnose eosinophilic fasciitis and its course may be variable. Glucocorticoids are most commonly used in the treatment but in many cases they are ineffective, requiring combined immunosuppressive treatment. Several cases of eosinophilic fasciitis and serious haematological disorders such as immune thrombocytopenia, Hodgkin's disease and aplastic anaemia have been described. The authors report an atypical severe case of eosinophilic fasciitis complicated by aplastic anaemia non responsive to treatment.

[Juvenile dermatomyositis associated with anasarca - a clinical case]. / Dermatomiosite juvenil associada a anasarca - a propósito de um caso clínico.

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare systemic disease of unknown etiology characterized by inflammation of the muscle, skin and digestive tract, with variable outcome. The diagnostic criteria include proximal symmetrical muscular weakness, characteristic skin rashes, elevation of skeletal muscle enzymes and specific electromyographic and muscle biopsy abnormalities. Pulmonary and gastro-intestinal involvements, calcinosis and generalized edema usually indicate severe disease. Recent data suggest an association between the genotype -308 AA of the Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) gene and disease chronicity. We present a case of a 14 year-old female with JDM and generalized oedema which is a rare manifestation of the disease and it is associated to a poor outcome.

Ankylosing spondylitis susceptibility and severity--contribution of TNF gene promoter polymorphisms at positions -238 and -308.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which genetic factors play a central role. The efficacy of TNF blockers has reoriented research in this field in order to explain the influence of TNF in AS pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to access the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions -308 and -238 of the promoter region of TNF gene on AS susceptibility and prognosis. SNPs were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphisms in patients and controls. AS patients exhibited a decreased frequency of the A allele at position -238 (10%) when compared with controls (18%), suggesting that this could be a protective factor for disease susceptibility. In addition, the -308 GA/AA genotypes were associated with later disease onset in AS patients. These results suggest that TNF gene promoter polymorphisms at positions -238 and -308 could have a small influence on AS susceptibility and prognosis.

Metacogniçäo: um apoio ao processo de aprendizagem / Metacognition: a support to the learning process

O presente artigo, a partir de uma incursäo pela literatura, visa contribuir para a clarificaçäo do conceito de metacogniçäo. Neste sentido, procura evidenciar o papel das estratégias metacognitivas na potencializaçäo da aprendizagem, ou seja, no desenvolvimento pelo aluno de modos eficazes para lidar com a informaçäo proveniente do meio e com os próprios processos de pensamento. Argumenta-se que apesar da polêmica acerca do conceito de metacogniçäo, é inegável a sua contribuiçäo para a aprendizagem, uma vez que os treinos que contemplam atividades metacognitivas têm produzido melhores resultados no que se refere a realizaçäo escolar.

Estudo comparativo da nomenclatura das matérias e disciplinas do currículo mínimo com a utilizada pelas escolas de enfermagem da região sudeste - Brasil / A comparison between the names of the subjects of the official curriculum to those used by the schools of nursing in the south east region of Brazil

É comparada a nomenclatura das matérias e disciplinas, constantes no currículo mínimo de graduação vigente, com a utilizada pelas Escolas de Enfermagem da região Sudeste do Brasil. Os questionários respondidos por 48 Escolas mostram fragmentação de conteúdos, resultando em um número elevado de disciplinas, conformando programas distintos para a execução do currículo mínimo e pleno.

The authors compared the names of the subjects that form the official curriculum to those offered by the schools of nursing in the South East of Brazil. Forty eight schools replied to the questionnaire, a variance in the names and numbers of the subjects offered was found, indicating a difference in the way each school performs the curriculum.

Este estudio compara las nomenclaturas de las materias y disciplinas constantes en el currículo mínimo a nivel de pre-grado vigente, con la utilizada por las escuelas de enfermería de la región sureste del Brasil. Los cuestionarios respondidos por 48 escuelas muestran fragmentación de contenidos, resultando un número elevado de disciplinas, conformando programas distintos para la ejecución de currículo mínimo y pleno.