Browsing by Author "Costa, L."
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- Adalimumab and number of previous biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs as predictive factors for the development of immune-mediated skin lesionsPublication . Martins, A.; Oliveira, D. Santos; Martins, F. R.; Nicolau, R.; Pinheiro, F. Oliveira; Rato, M.; Bernardo, A.; Pimenta, S.; Bernardes, M.; Costa, L.Treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases has dramatically changed with the introduction of biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). However, these drugs aren’t exempt from risks and skin lesions are the most frequent adverse reactions. Among the possible adverse skin reactions, immune-mediated skin lesions (IMSL) may occur. Risk factors associated with the occurrence of IMSL in rheumatic patients under bDMARDs are poorly known and studied.
- Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of essential oils isolated from Thymbra capitata L. (Cav.) and Origanum vulgare L.Publication . Faleiro, Leonor; Miguel, Maria Graça; Gomes, Sónia; Costa, L.; Venancio, F.; Teixeira, A.; Figueiredo, A. C.; Barroso, J. G.; Pedro, L. G.Antilisterial activities of Thymbra capitata and Origanum vulgare essential oils were tested against 41 strains of Listeria monocytogenes. The oil of T. capitata was mainly constituted by one component, carvacrol (79%), whereas for O. vulgare three components constituted 70% of the oil, namely, thymol (33%), gamma-terpinene (26%), and p-cymene (11%). T. capitata essential oil had a significantly higher antilisterial activity in comparison to O. vulgare oil and chloramphenicol. No significant differences in L. monocytogenes susceptibilities to the essential oils tested were registered. The minimum inhibitory concentration values of T. capitata essential oil and of carvacrol were quite similar, ranging between 0.05 and 0.2 mu L/mL. Antioxidant activity was also tested, the essential oil of T. capitata showing significantly higher antioxidant activity than that of O. vulgare. Use of T. capitata and O. vulgare essential oils can constitute a powerful tool in the control of L. monocytogenes in food and other industries.
- Immune-mediated skin lesions related to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: a 22-year experience of a tertiary centerPublication . Martins, A.; Oliveira, D. Santos; Martins, F. R.; Nicolau, R.; Pinheiro, F. Oliveira; Rato, M.; Bernardo, A.; Pimenta, S.; Bernardes, M.; Costa, L.Biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) have revolutionized the treatment of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. However, the physician and the patient should be aware of possible adverse reactions. Skin is one of the most frequent organs involved in bDMARD adverse reactions and immune-mediated skin lesions (IMSL) have rarely been described before in cohort studies and their incidence is unknown.
- Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio are not predictive of pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancerPublication . Pinho, I. Soares de; Barroso, T.; Trabulo, C.; Campoa, E.; Patel, V.; Gonçalves, L.; Araújo, J.; Monteiro, C.; Ferreira, A.; Machado, B.; Dâmaso, S.; Luz, P.; Sousa, R. Teixeira de; Costa, L.Pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAChT) has been validated as a predictor of long-term survival in breast cancer (BC), especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
- Neutrophile to lymphocyte and platelet to lymphocyte ratios predict clinical response to bDMARD in naïve spondylarthritis patientsPublication . Martins, F. Rajão; Bernardes, M.; Sequeira, G.; Costa, L.; Carvalho, P. DavidObjective: We aim to study association between neutrophile to lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte (PLR) ratios and disease activity, and their value to predict bDMARD response. Methods: A set of spondylarthritis (SpA) patients under bDMARD registered in the Reuma.pt registry was studied. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratorial variables were assessed on bDMARD initiation, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months (M) thereafter. Univariable and multivariable generalized estimation equations models assessed associations with disease activity. The NLR and PLR predictive value was assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Results: A total of 170 patients were included. Most were male (54.7%), with a predominantly axial phenotype (84.7%). Significant associations were observed between NLR [B=1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (1.38; 1.74)] and PLR [(B=1.16, 95% CI = (1.09; 1.24)] with ASDAS-CRP (p < 0.001). Both baseline ratios predicted ∆ ASDAS-CRP ≥ 1.1 at 6 months [OR = 2.20, 95% CI = (1.21, 4.00) for NLR; OR = 1.02, 95% CI = (1.01, 1.04) for PLR, p < 0.01)]. PLR was a significant predictor of ∆ ASDAS-CRP ≥ 1.1 in all timepoints [OR (12 M) = 1.02, 95% CI = (1.00, 1.03), p < 0.05; OR (18M) = 1.02, 95% CI = (1.01, 1.03), p < 0.001; OR (24M) = 1.01, 95% CI = (1.01, 1.02), p < 0.01]. Conclusion: NLR and PLR were associated with disease activity during the follow up of these patients. They seem to be significant predictors of therapeutic response to bDMARD in naïve SpA patients.
- Wunderlich syndrome as a rare complication of polyarteritis nodosa: a case reportPublication . Oliveira, D.; Martins, A.; Martins, F.; Rato, M.; Pinheiro, F.; Fonseca, D.; Vaz, C.; Mariz, E.; Costa, L.Spontaneous subcapsular and perirenal hemorrhage, known as Wunderlich syndrome (WS), is a rare clinical manifestation of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). We report a case of a 48-year-old male with a history of recurrent episodes of leg muscle tenderness and dysesthesia, bilateral flank pain, painful nodular skin lesions in the lower limbs, weight loss, and difficult-to-control arterial hypertension. The abdominopelvic computed tomography angiography showed a large left perirenal hematoma, leading to the patient's admission to the intensive care unit. After the exclusion of infectious or neoplastic foci, the patient was diagnosed with PAN and started intravenous methylprednisolone pulses with a good response. Since WS is a rare initial clinical manifestation of PAN, an early diagnosis and aggressive treatment will significantly improve clinical outcomes.