Acta Medica Port
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Music in Dementia Assessment Scales (MiDAS) is a standardized outcome measure aiming to capture the effects of music-based interventions in patients with dementia. It is a unique instrument regarding its specificity, with the potential to enhance research in the field of music in dementia care. The aim of this study was to report a preliminary psychometric study of the translated and adapted instrument to European Portuguese (MiDAS-PT). ⋯ This preliminary investigation indicated acceptable psychometric properties on a range of attributes, but more research is needed in order to definitely establish the psychometric value of the scale.
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The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness questionnaire to European Portuguese, as well as assess the psychometric performance of the translated version, including repeatability and agreement. ⋯ The Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness in Portuguese (SPEED-vP) showed good psychometric properties for the Portuguese population. Therefore, the translated version of the SPEED-vP questionnaire could be used to quantitatively measure the presence of dry eye symptoms in the Portuguese population.
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Appropriate management of fatigue relies upon comprehensive assessment instruments and timely delivery of targeted interventions. The aims of this study were to translate a commonly used English-language measure of fatigue in cancer patients (the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short-Form, or MFSI-SF) into European Portuguese and to evaluate the psychometric properties (internal consistency reliability, factorial structure, and discriminant, convergent and criterion concurrent validity) of the translated measure for use with Portuguese patients. ⋯ The IMFS-FR is a reliable and valid tool to assess cancer-related fatigue. By providing integrated comprehensive characterization of fatigue, this instrument may assist clinicians implementing targeted interventions.
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Acute porphyrias are a group of rare genetic metabolic disorders, caused by a defect in one of the enzymes involved in the heme biosynthesis, which results in an abnormally high accumulation of toxic intermediates. Acute porphyrias are characterized by potentially life-threatening attacks and, for some patients, by chronic manifestations that negatively impact daily functioning and quality of life. Clinical manifestations include a nonspecific set of gastrointestinal, neuropsychiatric, and/or cutaneous symptoms. ⋯ Moreover, properly monitoring patients with acute porphyrias and their relatives is fundamental to preventing acute attacks, hospitalization, and long-term complications. Considering this, a multidisciplinary panel elaborated a consensus paper, aiming to provide guidance for an efficient and timely diagnosis of acute porphyrias, and evidence-based recommendations for treating and monitoring patients and their families in Portugal. To this end, all authors exhaustively reviewed and discussed the current scientific evidence on acute porphyrias available in the literature, between November 2022 and May 2023.
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Case Reports
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in an Adolescent with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease that is associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, characterized by hyperinflammation and multiorgan involvement. Cardiovascular involvement is common, including myocardial dysfunction often leading to cardiogenic shock. We present the case of a 17-year-old boy with fever, odynophagia, maculopapular rash and abdominal pain who developed a cardiogenic shock. ⋯ The patient received corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin. Early recognition and intensive care support are crucial for ensuring a successful outcome in severe cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome. In cases of severe cardiogenic shock, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support can be critical for survival and rapid recovery.