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- Avaliação do potencial das Tiazolidinedionas como estratégia terapêutica no MelanomaPublication . Espírito Santo, Margarida; De Sousa-Coelho, Ana Luísa; Ana Patrícia, PintoO melanoma é uma doença mundial que representa a forma mais agressiva de cancro da pele com incidência e mortalidade em contínuo aumento. Apesar de existirem terapêuticas direcionadas às mutações específicas no melanoma, a resistência adquirida pelos doentes ao tratamento constitui uma barreira ao sucesso da terapêutica, suscitando assim a necessidade de identificação de novos fármacos e novas opções terapêuticas. Nos últimos anos tem surgido grande interesse na potencial utilização de antidiabéticos orais, como a metformina (biguanida) no tratamento do melanoma. As tiazolidinedionas (TZDs), agonistas do receptor PPARγ, são também uma classe de fármacos utilizados no tratamento da diabetes tipo 2.
- Colorectal cancer prevention: strategies for promoting literacyPublication . Espírito-Santo, Margarida; Gomes, Tânia; Nascimento, TâniaBackground Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most frequent and deadly cancer in Portugal, prevention and early detection with screening are key factors for decreasing the incidence of CRC and improving survival rates. CRC screenings allow the detection of benign situations and their remotion, preventing the development of a malignant condition. Thus, this study aimed to identify strategies that could promote CRC literacy in order to also increase the number of screenings. Methods A systematic review (SR) was performed using PICOS methodology to define study goals and then PRISMA methodology to collect data for the review, including intervention studies published from 2010. Results A final number of 11 articles were included in this SR, which used several strategies to promote literacy. These studies included patients mostly within the age range of 50–75 years. The different strategies identified contained delivering pamphlets, seminars, using technological solutions, among others. All of these educational strategies led to the breaking down of some barriers that might exist about screening and bowel preparation, which conduced to an increase in adherence to CRC screening. Since most of the studies were performed in populations presenting low health literacy or belonging to ethnic minorities, strategies such as verbal information sessions showed better results. Conclusions Several strategies seems to be effective, since the results of different interventions have translated into increased CCR literacy and also the number of screenings. Portuguese pharmacy professionals, given easy access and user confidence can contribute directly, as a future perspective, in the education of patients with CCR.
- Diabetes self-care and disease knowledgePublication . Espírito-Santo, Margarida; Nascimento, Tânia; Gomes, EuricoDiabetes mellitus (DM), presenting as a chronic metabolic pathology, is multifactorial and factors such as self-care can positively contribute to the glycemic control. Allied with patient’s behaviour, the knowledge about this disease may empower patient´s to achieve appropriate disease management including treatment adherence and avoidance of complications.
- Digital solutions available to be used by informal caregivers, contributing to medication adherence: A scoping reviewPublication . Espírito-Santo, Margarida; Santos, Sancha; Estêvão, M. DulceMedication adherence is essential for managing chronic diseases and achieving optimal health outcomes. However, this process is often challenging, particularly for patients with complex care needs. Informal caregivers play a pivotal role in supporting medication management, but they may face resource limitations and a lack of necessary support. Digital health tools offer a promising avenue to enhance medication adherence by providing reminders, education, and remote monitoring capabilities. This scoping review aimed to identify and evaluate digital solutions available to informal caregivers for improving medication adherence. A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted using relevant keywords. Four studies were included in the review, examining a variety of digital tools including mobile apps, SMS messaging, and wearable devices. These tools demonstrated efficacy in improving medication adherence, managing disease symptoms, and enhancing quality of life for patients and caregivers. Digital health interventions hold the potential to revolutionize medication adherence among chronic disease patients. By empowering informal caregivers, these tools can bridge the gaps in medication management and contribute to better health outcomes. Further research is warranted to optimize the design, implementation, and evaluation of digital interventions for medication adherence.
- Caraterização do circuito do medicamento em Instituições Geriátricas na Região do Algarve: Estudo pilotoPublication . Espírito Santo, Margarida; Tãnia, Nascimento; Flávia, Lima; Pais, SandraEste estudo teve como objetivo a caraterização do circuito do medicamento em instituições de cuidados geriátricos da região do Algarve: estrutura residencial para idosos (ERPI), centros de dia (CD) e serviço de apoio domiciliário (SAD).
- Self-medication habits during the COVID-19 pandemicPublication . Espírito-Santo, Margarida; Campos, Erica; Nascimento, TâniaBackground Self-medication is a common practice worldwide. During COVID-19 pandemic, the constant fear of going outside and to use health services may have had an impact in the number of visits to Community Pharmacies. This research aimed to study self-medication habits of the Portuguese population during the current pandemic, more specifically, to understand which non-prescription drugs and food supplements were taken and the situations that conduced to the use of self-medication. Methods An online structured survey was conducted, with data obtained anonymously and included 170 participants (≥18 years). Data were processed using SPSS v26. Results Participants in this study were mainly female (81.2%), with a mean age of 38.01 ± 1.16 years old and most (84.7%) over 12 years of schooling. Answers allowed to verify that the current pandemic didn’t affect that much the frequency of visits to Pharmacy and the situations where people used self-medication were mainly minor, such as headaches (54.1%) and muscle pains (26.5%). The medications used more often were analgesics (60.0%) and anti-inflammatory (40.0%). However, many people indicated that they didńt seek for more information about medicines (49.4%) and/or supplements (7.6%) used during this period. In general, people visited the Pharmacy with a similar frequency and purpose as the previous year. Conclusions Despite all the changes, the current pandemic has not negatively affected the practice of self-medication. The role of Pharmacy professionals in the rational use of the drugs, particularly those used in self medicated situations is essential, especially when the population shows low health literacy regarding the use of medicines.
- Automedicação: hábitos durante um período de pandemia - estudo transversalPublication . Espírito-Santo, Margarida; Estêvão, M. Dulce; Campos, EricaA automedicação é uma prática muito comum e a pandemia de COVID-19 poderá ter criado condições para haver um maior recurso às farmácias comunitárias, particularmente em situações de doença ligeira. Esse estudo teve como objetivo analisar os hábitos de automedicação de uma amostra da população Portuguesa durante o período inicial da pandemia (março-novembro 2020), identificar os medicamentos não sujeitos a receita médica (MNSRM) e suplementos alimentares mais consumidos, bem como as situações que levaram os indivíduos a recorrer à automedicação e a informação sobre estes produtos. Foi realizado um estudo transversal, observacional, através da aplicação de um questionário com recurso a uma plataforma da internet, durante o mês de dezembro 2020. Os dados foram obtidos de forma anónima, e analisados com o programa IBM SPSS v26. A amostra em análise era composta por 170 indivíduos, tendo-se verificado que a pandemia parece não ter afetado a frequência de ida à farmácia. As situações que mais levaram as pessoas a recorrer à automedicação foram dores de cabeça e dores musculares. Os medicamentos mais utilizados neste período pelos participantes neste estudo foram os analgésicos e os anti-inflamatórios. Apesar de todas as restrições impostas pela situação pandémica, parece não ter havido um impacto negativo no recurso às farmácias comunitárias, nem um aumento significativo da prática de automedicação. Foi também assinalado o papel relevante dos profissionais de Farmácia, em particular nas situações de automedicação, como fonte de informação sobre o uso dos medicamentos e dos suplementos alimentares.
- Assessment of utilization and willingness to use it devices to support health managementPublication . Espírito-Santo, Margarida; Lapão, Nelson; Peixoto, Stefany; Da Cruz Silva Andrade Madeira E Carvalho De Moura, Maria MargaridaBackground Amongst the technological solutions that aim to facilitate daily tasks, the potential contributions of mhealth is significant, mainly within the crescent elderly population presenting chronic diseases and using medication. Thus, this study aimed to assess the utilization and willingness to use IT devices to support health management, such as medication management. Methods A cross-sectional study was held, including the application (face-to-face and online) of an electronic questionnaire, with 164 participants. Data were processed using SPSS v27. Results Study participants had a mean age of 37.6 ± 20.0 years old, 23.8% were ≥ 60 years old, 73.2% female, 28% declared to suffer a chronic disease, with 27.4% using chronic medication and mostly managed by oneself (71.1%). Most of the participants owned and used a mobile phone (respectively 93.9% and 59.8%), a tablet (48.8% and 44.5%), and a computer (73.8% and 17.1%). Only about half of the participants aged ≥ 60 years declared to use their mobile devices to internet access (mobile phones 51.3%, tablet 35.9% and computers 41%). In this group, only 2% mentioned using applications in the health area. Overall, 85.4% considered these tools could be useful, although fewer would be willing to buy them (33.6% for < 60 years and 66.7% for ≥ 60 years). Conclusions The use of IT devices is less widespread in the older population, the age groups with greatest need for tools to support health management. Future development of this area must pay special attention to target audience characteristics and their limitations in the use of technology.
- Exploring adverse drug reactions in psychotropic medications: A retrospective analysis of portuguese pharmacovigilance dataPublication . Bandarra, Ana; Costa, César; Angelova, Kristina; Leonardo, Lília; Espírito-Santo, MargaridaPsychotropic drugs (PDs) include anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antidepressants, and antipsychotics, and they are available as medicines with different safety profiles. Given Portugal’s high anxiolytic consumption and the rising prevalence of mental disorders, safety monitoring is crucial. This study aimed to analyze the individual case safety reports (ICSR) of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to PDs, obtained through spontaneous reporting, and recorded in the Portuguese National Pharmacovigilance System between January 2017 and December 2021. This observational and retrospective study analyzed the ICSRs of suspected ADRs to PDs. Most reports pertained to female individuals (67.78%) between 18 and 64 years of age (63.71%). The pharmaceutical industry was the primary source of these reports (62.16%). Antidepressants were responsible for most ICSRs (61.90%). At least one serious ADR was recorded in 58.44% of the reports, and 43.84% of ADRs evolved into “cure”. The most-observed ADRs were nausea (10.92%), dizziness (10.70%), and off-label use (10.30%). In the causality assessment, 45.49% of ADRs were classified as “possible”, and only 4.96% were classified as “definitive”. The current analysis helps to strengthen the safety evidence for PDs. In the future, some measures could be implemented to improve the use of and/or access to PDs, as well as to reinforce the rate of suspected ADR reports within the community, contributing to the safety data available.
- Knowledge assessment during the medication process use by older patients on clinical routine: A pilot studyPublication . Espírito-Santo, Margarida; Pinto, Ezequiel; Estêvão, M. Dulce; Nascimento, TâniaObjectives: The consumption of medicines has been increasing over the last decades. The lack of medication knowledge (MK) may affect the process of medication use and, consequently, may lead to negative health outcomes. This study carried out a pilot study using a new tool to assess MK in older patients in a daily clinical practice. Materials and Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted, including older patients (>= 65 years), taking two or more medicines, followed in a regional clinic. Data were collected during a structured interview, which included an algorithm for assessing MK regarding the identification of the medicines and its use and storage conditions. Health literacy and treatment adherence were also assessed.Results: The study enrolled 49 patients, mainly between 65 and 75 years (n: 33; 67.3%) and polymedicated (n: 40; 81.6%), taking a mean of 6.9 +/- 2.8 medicines per day. A lack of MK (score <50%) was observed in 15 (30.6%) participant patients. "Drug strength" and "storage conditions" were the items which presented the lowest score. MK was positively correlated with higher scores for health literacy and treatment adherence. Younger patients (age <65 years old) also had a higher MK score.Conclusion: This study showed that the applied tool could evaluate the MK of the participants and identified specific gaps regarding MK within the process of medicine use. Further studies, with more participants, will allow the confirmation of these findings and will stimulate the development of specific strategies to improve MK, thus contributing to better health outcomes.