Comorbidities and Menopause Assessment in Women Living with HIV: a Survey of Healthcare Providers Across the WHO European Region

ABSTRACTWomen living with HIV are reaching older age and experiencing menopause and age-related comorbidities. Data suggest that women living with HIV experience earlier menopause and more menopausal symptoms and age-related comorbidities compared to women without HIV. However, there are no guidelines on the screening for and management of age-related comorbidities and events in women living with HIV. Moreover, little is known about provision of care to this population across Europe. We surveyed 121 HIV healthcare providers in 25 World Health Organization European countries to ascertain screening practices for, and management of, menopause, psychosocial and sexual well-being and age-related comorbidities in women with HIV. Most respondents screened for diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and poor mental health at least annually. Low bone mineral density (BMD) was regularly checked but less than once a year. Fewer regularly screened for sexual well-being and intimate partner violence. Menstrual pattern and menopausal symptoms in women aged 45-54 were assessed by 67% and 59% of respondents. 44% stated that they were not confident assessing menopausal status and/or symptoms. CVD, diabetes, low BMD and poor mental health were managed mainly within HIV clinics, whereas menopause care was mainly provided by gynaecology or primary care. Most respondents stated a need for HIV and menopause guidelines. In conclusion, we found that whilst metabolic risk factors and poor mental health are regularly screened for, psychosocial and sexual well-being and menopausal symptoms could be improved. This highlights the need for international recommendations and clinician training to ensure the health of this population.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Broncho-Esophageal Fistula: When Surgery and Endoscopy Fail, Consider Physiological Lung Exclusion

We discuss the case of an esophageal cancer patient treated by chemo and radiotherapy complicated by an esophageal stenosis and an iatrogenic broncho-esophageal fistula. This latter was managed with multiple palliative stenting procedures and colonic surgical bypass. Despite a long disease free survival but decreased quality of life and frailty, we came to the proposal of an extremely unusual form of treatment - physiological lung exclusion, with clinical benefit and so far without any drawbacks related to the procedure.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

When the Stomach Takes a Vacation: The Unseen Battles of Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a syndrome characterised by delayed gastric emptying that is usually idiopathic, diabetic, or iatrogenic. This underdiagnosed disease has a substantial influence on the quality of life of its patients. We present the case of an 86-year-old man with dementia, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease who developed symptoms of gastroparesis during a lengthy hospital stay. Computed tomography (CT) and upper digestive endoscopy demonstrated gastric distention and pyloric stenosis. Despite cautious treatment and eventual pyloric dilation, the patient died from aspiration due to refractory respiratory failure. This example emphasises the need for early detection and thorough examination of gastroparesis to optimise patient outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The European Portuguese Version of the Brief Negative Symptom Scale

Negative symptoms reflect a currently much-untreated loss of normal functioning and are frequently found in psychotic disorders. We present the first translation of the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS) to European Portuguese and evaluate its validity in a sample of Portuguese male patients with a psychotic spectrum disorder. The Portuguese BNSS showed excellent internal consistency, high convergent validity (i.e., strong correlation with the PANSS negative factor), and high discriminant validity (i.e., a lack of association with the PANSS positive factor). In sum, the present European Portuguese BNSS has shown to be reliable, thus extending this instrument's clinical availability worldwide.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Why the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score Needs Updating?

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Uso de Eltrombopag em Crianças com Trombocitopenia Imune Primária Persistente e Crónica num Hospital Pediátrico Português

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Major Determinants of Primary Non Function From Kidney Donation After Maastricht II Circulatory Death: a Single Center Experience

Purpose: Organ shortage greatly limits treatment of patients with end-stage chronic kidney. Maastricht type 2 donation after circulatory death (DCD) has been shown to have similar results in long term outcomes in kidney transplantation, when compared with brain dead donation. Our main goal was to assess Maastricht type 2 DCD and evaluate factors that impact on early graft function. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in an ECMO Referral Centre. All patients who received a kidney transplant from Maastricht type 2 DCD were included in study. Early graft function and short term outcomes were assessed. Results: From October 2017 to December 2022, 47 renal grafts were collected from 24 uDCD donors. Median warm ischemia time was 106 min (94-115), cannulation time was 10 min (8; 20) and duration of extracorporeal reperfusion (ANOR) was 180 min (126-214). Regarding early graft function, 25% had immediate graft function, 63.6% had delayed graft function and 11.4% had primary non-function (PNF). There was a correlation between cannulation time (p = 0.006) and ANOR with PNF (p = 0.016). Conclusions: Cannulation time and ANOR were the main factors that correlated with PNF. Better understanding of underlying mechanisms should be sought in future studies to reduce the incidence of PNF.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Tuberculous Meningitis: an Endemic Cause of Intracranial Hypertension

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) presents a complex clinical scenario, often marked by delayed recognition and high mortality. Our case involves a 27-year-old woman from Nepal with no significant medical history, presented with a two-week history of fatigue, altered consciousness, dizziness, vomiting, fever, holocranial headache, and photophobia. Initial examination revealed signs consistent with meningitis, including fever, hypertensive state, prostration, bilateral exophthalmos, sixth cranial nerve paresis, and positive Kernig/Brudzinski signs. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) exhibited characteristics typical of TBM: turbidity, lymphocytic-predominant pleocytosis, low glucose, and elevated protein. The patient was promptly started on meningeal doses of vancomycin, ceftriaxone, and acyclovir. However, persistent fever, neurological deterioration, and signs of increased intracranial pressure led to the decision to initiate conventional empiric treatment of tuberculosis (TB) with isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol (HRZE) and dexamethasone 1 week before cultural positivity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis of CSF. The case underscores the importance of considering TBM in patients from endemic regions, interpreting CSF findings, and initiating empirical treatment in critical scenarios, contributing to a positive patient outcome despite the diagnostic challenges.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An Analysis From a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital: Does Physical Activity Play a Role in the Management of Children and Young Adults With Osteogenesis Imperfecta?

Introduction: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a hereditary connective tissue disorder characterized by reduced bone density and increased proneness to fractures. It manifests across a varied clinical spectrum of expressions in children and young adults. It is crucial for children with OI to have a multidisciplinary follow-up, including orthopedics, pediatrics, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. Although exercise may have no effect on the disease itself, it might improve the autonomy, self-esteem, and fitness of these children. Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of children and young adults aged three or more years old followed-up in a Level III Pediatric Hospital between 1995 and 2020. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the hospital records and from the caregivers via phone calls. To our knowledge, this is the first national case series published assessing exercise habits in children with this condition. Results: Among the 21 patients studied, the median age was 14 years, with no gender predominance. Eighteen (86%) practiced regular physical activity, while the remaining three (14%), all of whom were type III OI, were totally dependent. Of the aforementioned 18 children, 12 (67%) considered practicing the same level of physical activity compared to their healthy peers, although most of them needed adaptations. The most reported extracurricular activity was swimming, in 50% of the cases. About 39% engaged in physical activity two times or less per week, and 89% practiced for one hour or less per session. Discussion: Over the years, it has become clear that physical activity is an important part of OI management. While awareness of the importance of exercise already exists, proper planning, follow-up, and monitoring are essential.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Eating Disorders: Case Series of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Inpatient Unit of Hospital Dona Estefânia in 2022

INTRODUÇÃO: As perturbações do comportamento alimentar (PCA) são patologias com alta morbilidade e significativo impacto na vida de crianças e adolescentes. Trata-se de doenças biopsicossociais, envolvendo fatores de natureza individual, familiar e sociocultural. Apresentam elevada comorbilidade com outras perturbações psiquiátricas. As complicações orgânicas são comuns. O nosso objetivo foi caracterização dos doentes internados com diagnóstico principal de Perturbação do Comportamento Alimentar na Unidade de Internamento de Pedopsiquiatria do HDE durante o ano de 2022. Descrição das características dos doentes do ponto de vista familiar, social e médico e dos respetivos internamentos e seguimentos. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospetivo, descritivo, a partir da consulta do processo clínico dos doentes internados na Unidade de Internamento de Pedopsiquiatria do HDE com o diagnóstico de PCA de janeiro a dezembro de 2022 (inclusive). Posteriormente foi realizada uma análise descritiva dos dados e tratamento com recurso ao programa SPSS. RESULTADOS: De um total de 48 doentes, a média de idades foi de 14 anos e 4 meses, sendo a maioria (95,8%, n=46) do sexo feminino. A maioria (77,1%, n=37) correspondia a uma anorexia nervosa tipo restritivo, 20,8% (n=10) a uma anorexia tipo ingestão compulsiva/purgativo e um caso de perturbação de ingestão alimentar evitante/restritiva. As perturbações depressivas foram a comorbilidade mais frequente (25%, n=12). CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento das PCA deve ser feito a partir de uma abordagem multidisciplinar. Será importante, no futuro, uma reflexão sobre os principais motivos que conduzem à necessidade de reinternamento.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio