GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

A Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 é um flagelo individual, social e económico, em particular nas sociedades ocidentais. A metformina surge como fármaco de primeira linha na terapêutica farmacológica desta patologia, mas na impossibilidade de controlo metabólico adequado sob esta em monoterapia, as recomendações colocam as restantes classes de fármacos ao mesmo nível, reflectindo uma mudança de paradigma para a individualização da terapêutica. A partir de 2007 foram disponibilizadas três novas classes de fármacos antidiabéticos: inibidores da dipeptidil peptidase 4, agonistas dos receptores do glucagon-like peptide-1, e inibidores do co-transportador 2 de sódio e glicose. Destas três, os agonistas dos receptores do glucagon-like peptide-1 são a classe considerada mais eficaz no controlo glicémico. Este artigo debruça-se sobre as mais recentes evidências científicas sobre os agonistas dos receptores do glucagon-like peptide-1, concluindo que, para além da eficácia no controlo glicémico, são bem tolerados, com a vantagem de reduzirem o peso e apresentarem benefícios cardiovasculares. No entanto, devido às actuais condições económicas e à impossibilidade de prescrever estes fármacos indiscriminadamente, propomos as características dos doentes que mais poderão beneficiar da terapêutica com esta classe, bem como um sistema de controlo de reembolso que permita que esta seja utilizada nos doentes que mais beneficiam.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ten-year trends in overweight and obesity in the adult Portuguese population, 1995 to 2005

There is little information regarding the trends in body mass index (BMI) and obesity in the overall Portuguese population, namely if these trends are similar according to educational level. In this study, we assessed the trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Portuguese population, overall and by educational level. Cross-sectional national health interview surveys conducted in 1995-6 (n = 38,504), 1998-9 (n = 38,688) and 2005-6 (n = 25,348). Data were derived from the population and housing census of 1991 and two geographically-based strata were defined. The sampling unit was the house, and all subjects living in the sampling unit were surveyed. Height and weight were self-reported; the effects of gender, age group and educational level were also assessed by self-reported structured questionnaires. Bivariate comparisons were performed using Chi-square or analysis of variance (ANOVA). Trends in BMI levels were assessed by linear regression analysis, while trends in the prevalence of obesity were assessed by logistic regression. Mean (±standard deviation) BMI increased from 25.2 ± 4.0 in 1995-6 to 25.7 ± 4.5 kg/m² in 2005-6. Prevalence of overweight remained stable (36.1% in 1995-6 and 36.4% in 2005) while prevalence of obesity increased (11.5% in 1995-6 and 15.1% in 2005-6). Similar findings were observed according to age group. Mean age-adjusted BMI increase (expressed in kg/m²/year and 95% confidence interval) was 0.073 (0.062, 0.084), 0.016 (0.000, 0.031) and 0.073 (0.049, 0.098) in men with primary, secondary and university levels, respectively; the corresponding values in women were 0.085 (0.073, 0.097), 0.052 (0.035, 0.069) and 0.062 (0.038, 0.084). Relative to 1995-6, obesity rates increased by 48%, 41% and 59% in men and by 40%, 75% and 177% in women with primary, secondary and university levels, respectively. The corresponding values for overweight were 6%, 1% and 23% in men and 5%, 7% and 65% in women. Between 1995 and 2005, obesity increased while overweight remained stable in the adult Portuguese population. Although higher rates were found among lesser educated subjects, the strong increase in BMI and obesity levels in highly educated subjects is of concern

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Small bowell perforation and mesentery injury after an unusual blunt abdominal trauma–Case report

Introduction: In blunt abdominal trauma, lesions of the small bowell and mesentery are often underdiagnosed; although unusual, they represent the third most injured organ, with increasing morbidity and mortality. Presentation of case: The authors present the case of a 68 years old male, admitted to the emergency department after being hit by a bale of straw, weighing around 300 kg, in the abdomen. After successful ressuscitation, a CT scan was performed, suggesting hemoperitoneum because of vascular lesion of the right colon bleeding. An exploratory laparotomy was performed, confirming the presence of blood in the abdominal cavity and identifying jejunal perforation, an apparently innocent hematoma of the small bowel mesentery (beside the bowel wall) distally to the first lesion and a laceration of the sigmoid serosa; a segmental jejunal resection and suture of the colon serosa were performed. In the early post-operative period, an enteric discharge was noticed, mandating surgical reexploration; a previously unnoticed bowel perforation, in the mesenteric border where the hematoma was identified, justified an additional enterectomy, after what the patients recovery progressed uneventfully. Discussion: In this case, a sudden increase in abdominal pressure could explain that missed rupture of the mesenteric border of the jejunum, also causing the mesenteric hematoma, or, in spite of that, a state of low perfusion could have lead to total wall ischemia of an already irrigation compromised segment. Only noted after surgical exploration, despite prior evaluation with a computed tomography. Small bowell and mesenteric injuries are potentially missed due to decreased exploratory laparotomies for blunt abdominal trauma. Conclusion: Although uncommon, small bowel and mesenteric injuries are associated with high morbidity and mortality. High clinical suspicion is essential for an early diagnosi