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- 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.
- Potential impact of metabolic syndrome control on cardiovascular risk in elderly patients with diabetes: a cross-sectional studyPublication . Nascimento, Tânia; Estêvão, Maria Dulce da Mota Antunes de Oliveira ; Gonçalves, Adriana; Pinto, Ezequiel; De Sousa-Coelho, Ana Luísa; Neto Espírito-Santo, Margarida de FátimaMetabolic syndrome (MS), a complex pathology with features like abnormal body fat distribution, insulin resistance, and dyslipidaemia, contributes to higher cardiovascular (CV) risk. A cross-sectional study including 87 individuals assessed CV risk score in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes and MS in Algarve, Portugal. The 10-year CV risk score was estimated using the ADVANCE risk score calculator. The reductions in CV risk score were estimated by adjusting the data inputted on the online tool to achieve systolic blood pressure (SBP) <130 or <120 mmHg, and LDL cholesterol <70 mg/dL Beyond waist circumference, the mean number of clinical features of MS was 3.14 ± 0.84, without significant sex differences. The mean CV risk score was 22.5% (CI: 20.3–24.7). Sex-specific analysis showed higher risk score in males (24.2%, CI: 21.3–27.0) vs. females (19.7%, CI: 16.2–23.3; p = 0.028). Hypothetical risk score reductions show that lowering SBP to <130 mmHg could significantly lower the risk score by an average of 9.2% (CI: 7.7–10.7), whereas 34.5% of the participants would be out of the diagnostic criteria for MS. When comparing each potential intervention with current risk score, all interventions significantly reduce the 10-year CV risk score. The study highlights the potential of blood pressure control in reducing CV risk score and the importance of multifaceted risk score reduction strategies.