Acta Medica Port
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Non-motor symptoms are underrecognized features of Parkinson's disease that impair quality of life and increase mortality. In this study, we aim to translate, adapt and validate the European Portuguese version of the "Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire", which has proven to be a valid and reliable measurement tool of non-motor symptoms in other languages. ⋯ The European Portuguese version of "Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire" is a valid and reliable tool for screening nonmotor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease.
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COVID-19 associated coagulopathy is a dysfunction of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, characterized by significantly increased fibrinogen, D-dimer and C reactive protein and normal to near-normal prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and platelet count. Hypercoagulopathy and hypofibrinolysis coexist and are detected by viscoelastic tests. These features, when associated with immobilization and intrinsic risk factors (age, obesity, comorbidities, drugs) of the patient, can trigger thromboembolic events, despite thromboprophylaxis. ⋯ Viscoelastic tests are very useful tools to assess hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolysis (not detectable by standard coagulation tests) in critically ill SARS-CoV-2 patients with COVID-19 associated coagulopathy and look like very promising tools for anticoagulation management. However, further research needs to be carried out to determine whether abnormal viscoelastic tests alone or in combination with other clinical or laboratory findings can identify patients at increased thrombotic risk. Clinical trials to evaluate hypercoagulability using viscoelastic tests and the need for personalized dosage of anticoagulation in SARS-CoV-2 patientsare quickly emerging.
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Pregnancy is a rare condition in women with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis, but its incidence has increased in recent years. Despite being a high-risk condition for both mother and fetus, there has been an improvement in care due to the increased number of cases described and the experience gained in dialysis therapy. ⋯ Pregnancy was managed by a multidisciplinary team, hemodialysis sessions were clinically and hemodynamically well tolerated, with good blood pressure and analytical control, as well as adequate development of both fetuses. She went into labor at 34 weeks and 6 days, so a caesarean section was performed, with 2 boys born with adequate weight for gestational age.
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Observational Study
Inflammatory Activity and Treatment Response in Pediatric Compared to Adult Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot, Retrospective and Observational Study of the First Year After Diagnosis.
Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis may contrast with adult-onset multiple sclerosis, in terms of disease activity. We aimed to determine differentiating features between pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis and adult-onset multiple sclerosis, at diagnosis and after one year under disease modifying therapies, and analyse the attainment of the status of "No Evidence of Disease Activity" between groups. ⋯ Extensive studies of children, adolescents and adults with multiple sclerosis will be needed to categorize the clinical and radiological differences that allow the identification of drug response biomarkers in the early stages of the disease.
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Comparative Study
[SYSVENT: Proof of Concept Study of a Prototype to Ventilate Critical Care Patients].
The new coronavirus pandemic has led to scarcity of invasive ventilation resources in hospitals in several countries. In this context, the Portuguese Medical Association invited intensive care physicians who, in collaboration with SYSADVANCE S.A., developed SYSVENT OM1, a ventilator capable of operating in controlled and assisted modes (volume and pressure) and able to treat patients admitted to intensive care units. In this study we do the proof of concept comparing programmed tidal volume, inspiratory pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure with those measured by the ventilator and an external measuring equipment. ⋯ For tested parameters, the ventilator has a good operating performance, is in accordance with the initial premises and has potential for clinical use.