Acta Medica Port
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Observational Study
Workplace Violence in Healthcare: A Single-Center Study on Causes, Consequences and Prevention Strategies.
Workplace violence is one of the main risk factors in the professional world. Healthcare workers are at higher risk when compared to other sectors. Our study aimed to characterize physical and verbal violence in a public hospital and to define occupational health prevention and surveillance strategies. ⋯ Our results show that workplace violence is a relevant risk factor that significantly impacts workers' health in a noxious manner, deserving a tailored occupational health approach whose priority areas and strategies have been determined.
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Statins are among the most effective drugs in lowering cholesterol levels and, consequently, in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Although generally well tolerated, they have adverse effects that may reduce patient adherence to therapy. The objective of this evidence-based review is to summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of alternative management strategies in patients with intolerance to statins. ⋯ This review highlights some alternatives to address patients' intolerance to statins; however, these are mostly based on recommendations with low to moderate evidence. Therefore, further research with randomized studies involving greater number of patients is required, in order to obtain a more robust recommendation.
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Magnetic resonance imaging is recognized as the most important diagnostic test in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, differential diagnosis and evaluation of progression/therapeutic response. However, to make optimal use of magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis, the use of a standard, reproducible and comparable imaging protocol is of uttermost importance. In this context, the Portuguese Society of Neuroradiology and the Group of Studies of Multiple Sclerosis, after a joint discussion, appointed a committee of experts to create recommendations adapted to the national reality on the use of magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis. This document represents the second part of the first Portuguese consensus recommendations on the use of magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis in clinical practice. ⋯ We hope that these first Portuguese magnetic resonance imaging guidelines will contribute to optimize multiple sclerosis management and improve patient care in Portugal.
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Imaging tests are essential for diagnosis in the emergency context and convey clinical information that is essential to assess the appropriateness of the tests and improve their interpretation. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the imaging tests requested by the Emergency Department in a district hospital. ⋯ Creating guidelines should improve the appropriateness of imaging tests requested in the Emergency Department, yielding their result, with the consequent rationalization of the available resources.
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Obesity is a significant risk factor for multiple comorbidities, and its relation to neurocognitive disfunction is particularly important in cognitive decline, especially in middle age. Due to their impact on neurodegeneration, we sought to explore neuropsychological profile, cognitive reserve and emotional distress in patients with severe obesity. ⋯ Severe obesity is associated with an impairment in cognitive and emotional performance, aggravated by aging, cognitive reserve, and comorbidity. This study emphasizes the need for preventive actions, such as neuropsychological screening, in the detection of changes and the design of better interventions.