Acta Medica Port
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Practice Guideline
[Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Monitoring Approach in Suspected Neurosyphilis: Proposal for a Clinical Guideline].
This clinical guideline was designed to serve as a hospital guide in the diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring approach to neurosyphilis, considering whether there is positivity or not for the human immunodeficiency virus. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted notifiable disease, known as the great imitator. In around 30% of cases of untreated disease, there is a persistent central nervous system infection. ⋯ The importance of lumbar puncture lies not only in its diagnostic value but also in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. The treatment of this disease in all stages consists of parenteral penicillin. With this guideline, our aim is to facilitate clinical decision-making in cases of suspected neurosyphilis through a systematized, individualized, and multidisciplinary approach.
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Comment Observational Study
[Analysis of Expectations in Routine Appointments: A Cross-Sectional Study in Portugal].
Preventive medicine is a subject of study due to the increasing evidence that it can cause more harm than good, and the population's interest in routine appointments is widely recognized. The main objective of this study was to understand users' expectations regarding routine appointments in primary health care and compare them to doctors' perceptions regarding these expectations. ⋯ It is important that general practitioners / family doctors are aware of patients' expectations. In this sample, patients revealed a greater appreciation for a higher number of preventive medical measures during consultations and more periodic analytical testing than thought by the doctors. Doctors also judged that users would show greater interest in the frequent implementation of screening programs.