Browsing by Author "Portela, Francisco"
Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Comparing the continuous geboes score with the Robarts Histopathology Index: definitions of histological remission and response and their relation to faecal calprotectin levelsPublication . Magro, Fernando; Lopes, Joanne; Borralho, Paula; Lopes, Susana; Coelho, Rosa; Cotter, Jose; de Castro, Francisca Dias; Sousa, Helena Tavares; Salgado, Marta; Andrade, Patricia; Vieira, Ana Isabel; Figueiredo, Pedro; Caldeira, Paulo; Sousa, A.; Duarte, Maria A.; Avila, Filipa; Silva, Joao; Moleiro, Joana; Mendes, Sofia; Giestas, Silvia; Ministro, Paula; Sousa, Paula; Goncalves, Raquel; Goncalves, Bruno; Oliveira, Ana; Chagas, Cristina; Cravo, Marilia; Dias, Claudia Camila; Afonso, Joana; Portela, Francisco; Santiago, Mafalda; Geboes, Karel; Carneiro, FatimaBackground and Aims: The histological status of ulcerative colitis [UC] patients in clinical and endoscopic remission has gained space as an important prognostic marker and a key component of disease monitoring. Our main aims were to compare two histological indexes-the continuous Geboes score [GS] and the Robarts Histopathology index [RHI]-regarding their definitions of histological remission and response, and the ability of faecal calprotectin [FC] levels to discriminate between these statuses. Methods: This was an analysis of three prospective cohorts including 422 patients previously enrolled in other studies. Results: The two continuous scores [GS and RHI] were shown to be significantly correlated [correlation coefficient of 0.806, p < 0.001] and particularly close regarding their definition of histological response: 95% and 88% of all patients classified as having/not having [respectively] histological response according to RHI also did so according to GS. Moreover, median FC levels in patients with histological response were lower than those in patients without histological response [GS: 73.00 vs 525.00, p < 0.001; RHI: 73.50 vs 510.00, p < 0.001]; a similar trend was observed when FC levels of patients in histological remission were compared to those of patients with histological activity [GS: 76.00 vs 228.00, p < 0.001; RHI: 73.50 vs 467.00, p < 0.001]. FC levels allowed us to exclude the absence of histological remission [according to RHI] and absence of histological response [according to RHI and GS], with negative predictive values varying from 82% to 96%. However, optimization of the FC cut-off to exclude the absence of histological remission, as for the continuous GS, falls within values that resemble those of the healthy population. Conclusion: The continuous GS and RHI histological scores are strongly correlated in their definitions of histological response. An absence of histological remission could only be excluded at physiological levels of FC.
- Development and validation of risk matrices for Crohn's Disease outcomes in patients who underwent early therapeutic interventionsPublication . Dias, Cláudia Camila; Rodrigues, Pedro Pereira; Coelho, Rosa; Santos, Paula Moura; Fernandes, Samuel; Lago, Paula; Caetano, Cidalina; Rodrigues, Angela; Portela, Francisco; Oliveira, Ana; Ministro, Paula; Cancela, Eugenia; Vieira, Ana Isabel; Barosa, Rita; Cotter, Jose; Carvalho, Pedro; Cremers, Isabelle; Trabulo, Daniel; Caldeira, Paulo; Antunes, Artur; Rosa, Isadora; Moleiro, Joana; Peixe, Paula; Herculano, Rita; Gonçalves, Raquel; Gonçalves, Bruno; Sousa, Helena Tavares; Contente, Luis; Morna, Henrique; Lopes, Susana; Magro, FernandoIntroduction: The establishment of prognostic models for Crohn's disease [CD] is highly desirable, as they have the potential to guide physicians in the decision-making process concerning therapeutic choices, thus improving patients' health and quality of life. Our aim was to derive models for disabling CD and reoperation based solely on clinical/demographic data. Methods: A multicentric and retrospectively enrolled cohort of CD patients, subject to early surgery or immunosuppression, was analysed in order to build Bayesian network models and risk matrices. The final results were validated internally and with a multicentric and prospectively enrolled cohort. Results: The derivation cohort included a total of 489 CD patients [64% with disabling disease and 18% who needed reoperation], while the validation cohort included 129 CD patients with similar outcome proportions. The Bayesian models achieved an area under the curve of 78% for disabling disease and 86% for reoperation. Age at diagnosis, perianal disease, disease aggressiveness and early therapeutic decisions were found to be significant factors, and were used to construct user-friendly matrices depicting the probability of each outcome in patients with various combinations of these factors. The matrices exhibit good performance for the most important criteria: disabling disease positive post-test odds = 8.00 [2.72-23.44] and reoperation negative post-test odds = 0.02 [0.00-0.11]. Conclusions: Clinical and demographical risk factors for disabling CD and reoperation were determined and their impact was quantified by means of risk matrices, which are applicable as bedside clinical tools that can help physicians during therapeutic decisions in early disease management.
- How many biomarker measurements are needed to predict prognosis in Crohn's disease patients under infliximab?—A prospective studyPublication . Magro, Fernando; Estevinho, Maria Manuela; Catalano, Gaia; Patita, Marta; Arroja, Bruno; Lago, Paula; Rosa, Isadora; Sousa, Helena Tavares; Ministro, Paula; Mocanu, Irina; Vieira, Ana; Castela, Joana; Moleiro, Joana; Roseira, Joana; Cancela, Eugénia; Sousa, Paula; Portela, Francisco; Correia, Luís; Moreira, Paula; Santiago, Mafalda; Dias, Sandra; Afonso, Joana; Danese, Silvio; Peyrin‐Biroulet, Laurent; Dias, Cláudia CamilaBackgroundTimely stratification of Crohn's disease (CD) is essential for patients' management. The use of noninvasive accurate biomarkers is key to monitor treatment and to pursue mucosal healing, the ultimate treatment endpoint in CD. ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the performance of readily available biomarkers and develop risk matrices to predict CD progression. MethodsData from 289 CD patients receiving infliximab (IFX) maintenance therapy for 2 years was collected; those patients were included in DIRECT, a prospective multicenter observational study. Disease progression was evaluated using two composite outcomes incorporating clinical and drug-related factors, the first including IFX dose and/or frequency adjustments. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and to develop risk matrices. ResultsThe isolated presence of anemia at least once during follow-up was a significant predictor of disease progression (OR 2.436 and 3.396 [p <= 0.001] for composite outcomes 1 and 2, respectively) regardless of confounding factors. Isolated highly elevated C-reactive protein (CRP; >10.0 mg/L) and fecal calprotectin (FC; >500.0 mu g/g) in at least one visit were also significant predictors, while milder elevations (3.1-10.0 mg/L and 250.1-500.0 mu g/g) were only relevant when detected in at least two visits (consecutive or not). The combination of biomarkers in risk matrices had good ability to predict progression; patients simultaneously presenting anemia, highly elevated CRP and FC at least once had 42%-63% probability of achieving the composite outcomes. ConclusionThe combined evaluation of hemoglobin, CRP, and FC in at least one time point and their incorporation into risk matrices seems to be the optimal strategy for CD management, as data from additional visits did not meaningfully influence the predictions and may delay decision-making.
- Impact of early surgery and immunosuppression on Crohn's disease disabling outcomesPublication . Magro, Fernando; Dias, Cláudia C.; Coelho, Rosa; Santos, Paula M.; Fernandes, Samuel; Caetano, Cidalina; Rodrigues, Angela; Portela, Francisco; Oliveira, Ana; Ministro, Paula; Cancela, Eugenia; Vieira, Ana I.; Barosa, Rita; Cotter, Jose; Carvalho, Pedro; Cremers, Isabelle; Trabulo, Daniel; Caldeira, Paulo; Antunes, Artur; Rosa, Isadora; Moleiro, Joana; Peixe, Paula; Herculano, Rita; Gonçalves, Raquel; Gonçalves, Bruno; Sousa, Helena Tavares; Contente, Luis; Morna, Henrique; Lopes, SusanaBackground and Aims: The definition of early therapeutic strategies to control Crohn's disease aggressiveness and prevent recurrence is key to improve clinical practice. This study explores the impact of early surgery and immunosuppression onset in the occurrence of disabling outcomes. Methods: This was a multicentric and retrospective study with 754 patients with Crohn's disease, who were stratified according to the need for an early surgery (group S) or not (group I) and further divided according to the time elapsed from the beginning of the follow-up to the start of immunosuppression therapy. Results: The rate of disabling events was similar in both groups (S: 77% versus I: 76%, P = 0.700). The percentage of patients who needed surgery after or during immunosuppression therapy was higher among group S, both for first surgeries after the index event (38% of groups S versus 21% of group I, P, 0.001) and for reoperations (38% of groups S versus 12% of group I, P < 0.001). The time elapsed to reoperation was shorter in group I (HR = 2.340 [1.367-4.005]), stratified for the onset of immunosuppression. Moreover, reoperation was far more common among patients who had a late start of immunosuppression (S-36: 50% versus S0-6: 27% and S6-36: 25%, P < 0.001) and (I-36: 16% versus I0-6: 5% and I6-36: 7%, P, 0.001). Conclusions: Although neither early surgery nor immunosuppression seem to be able to prevent global disabling disease, an early start of immunosuppression by itself is associated with fewer surgeries and should be considered in daily practice as a preventive strategy.
- Sexual quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease: A multicenter, national-level studyPublication . Roseira, Joana; Magro, Fernando; Fernandes, Samuel; Simoes, Carolina; Portela, Francisco; Vieira, Ana Isabel; Patita, Marta; Leal, Carina; Lago, Paula; Caldeira, Paulo; Gago, Tania; Currais, Pedro; Dias, Claudia Camila; Santiago, Mafalda; Dias, Sandra; Sousa, Helena TavaresBackground: The impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on sexual health is a leading concern among patients. Most studies focus on sexual dysfunction rather than patient-perceived sexual quality of life (SQoL). We aimed to assess SQoL in IBD patients compared with healthy controls. Methods: This is a multicenter, cross-sectional study of IBD patients (n = 575 with Crohn's disease and n = 294 with ulcerative colitis), compared with healthy controls (n = 398), that used an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. This multimodal questionnaire included sociodemographic data and 4 validated instruments: Short IBD Questionnaire, Social Desirability Scale, Sexual QoL Questionnaire-Male/Female, Nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Results: Inflammatory bowel disease patients reported lower SQoL (men: 77.29 vs 83.83; P < 0.001; women: 70.40 vs 81.63; P < 0.001) compared with controls. Among IBD patients, SQoL was positively correlated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and negatively correlated with depression symptoms. Perianal disease was associated with lower HRQoL and higher incidence of depression, but only impacted SQoL in men. In linear regression analysis for men, SQoL was associated with age, marital status, and depression (beta, -2.101; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.505 to -1.696; P < 0.001). In women, SQoL was associated with depression (beta, -1.973; 95% CI, -2.313 to -1.632; P < 0.001) only. Conclusions: Patients with IBD had impaired SQoL compared with healthy controls. Age, widow status, and depression were independent predictors of SQoL in men with IBD, whereas in women depression was the only independent predictor. Emotional and self-esteem issues were the main concerns reported by IBD patients regarding sexual health.
- Soluble human Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 is associated with endoscopic activity in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis treated with golimumabPublication . Magro, Fernando; Lopes, Susana; Silva, Marco; Coelho, Rosa; Portela, Francisco; Branquinho, Diogo; Correia, Luís; Fernandes, Samuel; Cravo, Marília; Caldeira, Paulo; Sousa, Helena Tavares; Patita, Marta; Lago, Paula; Ramos, Jaime; Afonso, Joana; Redondo, Isabel; Machado, Patrícia; Philip, George; Lopes, Joanne; Carneiro, FátimaSuppressor of Tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) is an IL33 receptor detected in the mucosa and serum of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. We evaluated soluble ST2 (sST2) as a surrogate biomarker of disease outcome and therapeutic response, in moderate-to-severe UC patients treated with golimumab.
- The who-when-why triangle of complementary and alternative medicine use among Portuguese IBD patientsPublication . Portela, Francisco; Dias, Camila C.; Caldeira, Paulo; Cravo, Marilia; Deus, João; Gonçalves, Raquel; Lago, Paula; Morna, Henrique; Peixe, Paula; Ramos, Jaime; Sousa, Helena Tavares; Tavares, Lurdes; Vasconcelos, Helena; Magro, Fernando; Ministro, PaulaBackground: The use of complementary and alternative medicines is increasing among chronic patients, particularly those afflicted with inflammatory bowel diseases. Aim: This study aimed to address the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines use among Portuguese inflammatory bowel diseases' patients. Methods: Patients were invited to fill an anonymous questionnaire concerning the use of complementary and alternative medicines. Results: Thirty-one per cent of the patients reported having used complementary and alternative medicines in the past, whereas 12% were using them by the time the questionnaire was administered. Fifty-nine per cent of the users did not share this information with their physician, whereas 14% and 8% discontinued their medication and periodical examination, respectively. Steroids prescription (OR = 2.880) and a higher instruction level (OR = 3.669) were predictors of complementary and alternative medicines use in this cohort. Conclusions: Roughly a third of Portuguese IBD patients had used CAM. Steroid treatment and an academic degree are associated with CAM use. Given the potential side effects and interactions, patient information about the benefits and limitations of conventional and complementary treatments should be reinforced. (C) 2017 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Thiopurines have no impact on outcomes of Crohn's disease patients beyond 12 months of maintenance treatment with infliximabPublication . Sousa, Paula; Patita, Marta; Arroja, Bruno; Lago, Paula; Rosa, Isadora; Sousa, Helena Tavares; Ministro, Paula; Mocanu, Irina; Vieira, Ana; Castela, Joana; Moleiro, Joana; Cancela, Eugenia; Roseira, Joana; Portela, Francisco; Correia, Luis; Santiago, Mafalda; Dias, Sandra; Alves, Catarina; Afonso, Joana; Dias, Claudia Camila; Magro, FernandoThe emergence of new treatments the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) raised questions regarding the role of older agents, namely thiopurines. Aims: To clarify the benefits of combination treatment with thiopurines on Crohn's disease (CD) patients in the maintenance phase of infliximab. Methods: In this analysis of the 2 -year prospective multicentric DIRECT study, patients were assessed in terms of clinical activity, faecal calprotectin (FC), C -reactive protein (CRP), and infliximab pharmacokinetics. A composite outcome based on clinical- and drug -related items was used to define treatment failure. Results: The study included 172 patients; of these, 35.5 % were treated with combination treatment. Overall, 18 % of patients achieved the composite outcome, without statistically significant differences between patients on monotherapy and on combination treatment (21.6% vs 11.5 %, p = 0.098). Median CRP, FC, and infliximab pharmacokinetic parameters were similar in both groups. However, in the sub -analysis by infliximab treatment duration, in patients treated for less than 12 months, the composite outcome was reached in fewer patients in the combination group than in the monotherapy group (7.1% vs 47.1 %, p = 0.021). Conclusion: In CD patients in maintenance treatment with infliximab, combination treatment does not seem to have benefits over infliximab monotherapy beyond 12 months of treatment duration.
- Transmural remission improves clinical outcomes up to 5 years in Crohn's diseasePublication . Fernandes, Samuel Raimundo; Serrazina, Juliana; Botto, Inês Ayala; Leal, Tiago; Guimarães, Andreia; Garcia, Joana Lemos; Rosa, Isadora; Prata, Rita; Carvalho, Diana; Neves, João; Campelo, Pedro; Ventura, Sofia; Silva, Andrea; Coelho, Mariana; Sequeira, Cristiana; Oliveira, Ana Paula; Portela, Francisco; Ministro, Paula; Sousa, Helena Tavares; Ramos, Jaime; Claro, Isabel; Gonçalves, Raquel; Correia, Luís Araújo; Marinho, Rui Tato; Cortez‐Pinto, Helena; Magro, FernandoIntroductionEvidence supporting transmural remission (TR) as a long-term treatment target in Crohn's disease (CD) is still unavailable. Less stringent but more reachable targets such as isolated endoscopic (IER) or radiologic remission (IRR) may also be acceptable options in the long-term. MethodsMulticenter retrospective study including 404 CD patients evaluated by magnetic resonance enterography and colonoscopy. Five-year rates of hospitalization, surgery, use of steroids, and treatment escalation were compared between patients with TR, IER, IRR, and no remission (NR). Results20.8% of CD patients presented TR, 23.3% IER, 13.6% IRR and 42.3% NR. TR was associated with lower risk of hospitalization (odds-ratio [OR] 0.244 [0.111-0.538], p < 0.001), surgery (OR 0.132 [0.030-0.585], p = 0.008), steroid use (OR 0.283 [0.159-0.505], p < 0.001), and treatment escalation (OR 0.088 [0.044-0.176], p < 0.001) compared to no NR. IRR resulted in lower risk of hospitalization (OR 0.333 [0.143-0.777], p = 0.011) and treatment escalation (OR 0.260 [0.125-0.540], p < 0.001), while IER reduced the risk of steroid use (OR 0.442 [0.262-0.745], p = 0.002) and treatment escalation (OR 0.490 [0.259-0.925], p = 0.028) compared to NR. ConclusionsTR improved clinical outcomes over 5 years of follow-up in CD patients. Distinct but significant benefits were seen with IER and IRR. This suggests that both endoscopic and radiologic remission should be part of the treatment targets of CD.