Browsing by Author "Guilherme, Patricia"
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- Fine particulate air pollution and occurrence of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in an area of low air pollutionPublication . Nzwalo, Hipólito; Guilherme, Patricia; Nogueira, Jerina; Felix, Catarina; S. André, Ana; Teles, Joana; Mouzinho, Maria; Ferreira, Fatima; Marreiros, Ana; Logallo, Nicola; Bentes, CarlaObjectives:The association between short-term ambient particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm diameter (PM2.5) andspontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) occurrence is unclear. We aimed to study the association ofambient PM2.5 with occurrence of SICH in an area of low air pollution in southern Portugal.Patientsandmethods:PM2.5 levels from the 3 days before the SICH event (Lag 1, 2, 3) was compared with onecontrol period (Lag 15–17) using a case-crossover analysis. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimatethe odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Analysis was stratified by gender, age, functional neu-rological status, type of SICH, environmental factors (temperature, humidity, time of day and season).Results:Three-hundred and eight patients were included (2010–2015); mean age 70.8 years, 62.8% were males.The mean values (μg/l) of PM2.5 were higher on the case days (Lag1 = 7.76, Lag2 = 7.64, Lag3 = 7.74)compared to control period (Lag14-17 = 6.77). For each 10 μg/l increase, the likelihood of SICH increased 5.7%(95% CI = 1.020-1.095. P = .002). The strength of the association was higher in patients younger than 70 years(OR = 1.064, 95% CI = 1.009–1.122); without prior to SICH neurological disability (OR = 1.061, 95% CI1.022–1.101); with non-lobar type (OR = 1.054, 95% CI = 1.012–1.099). A circadian and circannual patternwas present with increased strength of the association when SICH occurred in the morning time (OR = 1,067,95% CI = 1.012–1.125), in the fall (OR = 1.118, 95% CI = 1.031–1.213) and the in the winter (OR = 1.064,95% CI = 1.002–1.129). The association was also potentiated at lower temperature values.Conclusion:Short-term increases of PM2.5 are associated with occurrence of SICH in Algarve, a region of lowambient pollution. Patient and ambient level factors can influence the strength of this association.
- Honeycomb-like appearance in the brain of a former boxer with hyperhomocysteinemia, severe carotid disease and hemorrhagic strokePublication . Felix, Ana C.; Fernandes, Nadia; Guilherme, Patricia; Nzwalo, HipólitoDear editor, Brain perivascular spaces (PVSs) or Virchow-Robin spaces are pial-lined, interstitial fluid-filled structures surrounding the arteries entering brain parenchyma.1 Enlarged PVSs are radiological manifestation of posttraumatic encephalopathy2 and a common biomarker of small vessel disease (SVD).3 Exuberant forms of PVSs are rarely reported. A 55-year-old male truck driver, retired professional boxer with a history of severe untreated hypertension, obesity, brainstem lacunar stroke, dyslipidemia, heavy smoking, right sided severe internal carotid stenosis (SICS) (90–99%) and hyperhomocysteinemia was brought to the emergency room because of sudden onset of right hemiparesis followed by focal complex hemiconvulsion
- Poor intensive stroke care is associated with short-term death after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhagePublication . Martinez, Joana; Mouzinho, Maria; Teles, Joana; Guilherme, Patricia; Nogueira, Jerina; Felix, Catarina; Ferreira, Fatima; Marreiros, Ana; Nzwalo, HipólitoObjectives: The case fatality from spontaneous ICH (SICH) remains high. The quality and intensity of early treatment is one of the determinants of the outcome. We aimed to study the association of early intensive care, using the Intracerebral Hemorrhage-Specific Intensity of Care Quality Metrics (IHSICQM) with the 30-day in-hospital mortality in Algarve, Portugal. Patients and Methods: analysis of prospective collected data of 157 consecutive SICH patients (2014-2016). Logistic regression was performed to assess the role of IHSICQM on the 30-day in-hospital mortality controlling for the most common clinical and radiological predictors of death. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was developed to evaluate the prediction accuracy of the IHSICQM score (C-statistics). Results: forty-five (29 %) patients died. The group of deceased patients had lower intensity of care (lower IHSICQM score) and higher proportion of poor prognosis associated factors (pre-ICH functional dependency, intraventricular dissection/glycaemia). On the multivariate analysis, higher IHSICQM was associated with reduction of the odds of death, 0.27 (0.14-0.50) per each increasing point. The ROC curve showed a high discriminating ability of isolated IHSICQM in predicting the 30-day mortality (AUC = 0,95; 95 % CI = [0,86; 0,95]). Conclusion: the early intensity of quality of care independently predicts the 30-day in-hospital mortality. Quantification of the intensity of SICH is a valid tool to persuade improvement of SICH care, as well to help comparison of performances within and between hospitals.
- What is the role of apelin regarding cardiovascular risk and progression of renal disease in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy?Publication . Silva, Ana Paula; Fragoso, Andre; Silva, Claudia; Viegas, Carla; Tavares, Nelson; Guilherme, Patricia; Santos, Nelio; Rato, Fatima; Camacho, Ana; Cavaco, Cidalia; Pereira, Victor; Faisca, Marilia; Ataide, Joao; Jesus, Ilidio; Neves, Pedro LeãoAims. To evaluate the association of different apelin levels with cardiovascular mortality, hospitalization, renal function, and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients with mild to moderate CKD. Methods. An observational, prospective study involving 150 patients divided into groups according to baseline apelin levels: 1 <= 98pg/mL, 2 = 98-328 pg/mL, and 3 >= 329 pg/mL. Baseline characteristics were analyzed and compared. Multivariate Cox regression was used to find out predictors of cardiovascular mortality, and multivariate logistic regression was used to find out predictors of hospitalization and disease progression. Simple linear regressions and Pearson correlations were used to investigate correlations between apelin and renal disease and cardiovascular risk factors. Results. Patients' survival at 83 months in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 39%, 40%, and 71.2%, respectively (P = 0.046). Apelin, age, and eGFR were independent predictors of mortality, and apelin, creatinine, eGFR, resistin, and visfatin were independent predictors of hospitalization. Apelin levels were negatively correlated with cardiovascular risk factors and positively correlated with eGFR. Patients with lower apelin levels were more likely to start a depurative technique. Conclusions. Apelin levels might have a significant clinical use as a marker/predictor of cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization or even as a therapeutic agent for CKD patients with cardiovascular disease.