Health literacy and its determinants among pregnant women in Portugal.

Background: Health literacy is a key determinant of health outcomes and equity, particularly during pregnancy, a period marked by increased information needs and critical health decisions. Despite its importance, data on health literacy among pregnant women in Portugal remain scarce. This study aimed to assess general health literacy levels and their associations with sociodemographic, health-related, and pregnancy-specific factors in a large sample of pregnant women from the district of Viseu, Portugal.

Case Report: Hypercalcemic small-cell carcinoma of the ovary during pregnancy: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Small-cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT), is a rare, highly aggressive malignancy that predominantly affects young women. We report a 32-year-old pregnant woman diagnosed with SCCOHT during the first trimester of pregnancy. At 24 weeks, imaging revealed extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis.

The Use of Medium-Deep Peelings to Treat Melasma: A Case Series Study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of medium-deep chemical peels for melasma in a diverse population using quantitative and subjective methodologies for comprehensive outcome assessment.

Methods: A case series of 42 melasma region treatments was conducted from March 2023 to December 2024. Treatments included 30% phenol with 0.

Barriers and Facilitators to Older Adults' Engagement in Social Prescribing: A Qualitative Study Using Focus Groups.

: Social prescribing is an innovative approach that connects individuals to community-based activities to promote well-being. This study explores the barriers and facilitators influencing older adults' engagement in social prescribing programmes in Portugal. : A qualitative study was carried out in October 2024, in Portugal, with 16 participants aged 65 and over.

Impact of promoting physical exercise on migraine - A video-based randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Migraine significantly impacts quality of life, and a substantial proportion of subjects experience refractory migraine. Non-pharmacological strategies, such as physical exercise, have shown potential benefits in headache control. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a video-based educational intervention in promoting physical activity and improving migraine-related outcomes.

Network of formal and informal care provided by family members for cancer patients receiving palliative care at home.

In the face of advanced oncological disease in palliative care at home, caregivers are mostly family members who are part of the informal system. The lack of guidance and social support exposes them to stress and overload that can affect their health, well-being, quality of life, and contribute to failures in care. The aim is to understand the care networks around the main caregiver in the context of home palliative care and describe the implications of the availability of these networks on the health care of this caregiver.

Host and environmental determinants of in-hospital mortality in community-acquired pneumonia: evidence of seasonality, socioeconomic factors, and hospital differentiation in Portugal.

Background: Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is regarded as a substantial part of the global burden of disease and a public health priority. In addition to host factors, such as demographic characteristics, comorbidities, CAP clinical severity, and in-hospital mortality may also be influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status, seasonal variations, and hospital differentiation. This study aims to analyse trends in hospital mortality among patients hospitalized with CAP in National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in mainland Portugal and the impact of various host and environmental factors on in-hospital mortality.

A multidimensional analysis of older adults wellbeing and health literacy in Alentejo: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: The global increase in the older adults population which represents 22% the population in Portugal and is especially pronounced in the Alentejo region, posed noteworthy challenges. Social isolation, particularly in rural areas, requires policies that promote inclusion and wellbeing, such as social prescription. This study aimed to conduct a multidimensional assessment of the older adults individuals in Alentejo, evaluating quality of life, wellbeing, functionality, loneliness and health literacy.

Immune profiling of gastric adenocarcinomas in EU and LATAM countries identifies global differences in immune subgroups and microbiome influence.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) patients from European (EU) and especially Latin American (LATAM) countries are underrepresented in previous large-scale multi-omic studies that have identified clinically relevant subgroups. The LEGACY study aimed to profile the molecular and immunological features of GCs from EU and LATAM countries.

Methods: Tumor biopsies from 95 EU and 56 LATAM GCs were profiled with immunohistochemistry (CD3, CD8, FOXP3, PD-L1, MSI and HER2), Nanostring mRNA expression analyses, and microbiome sequencing.

Psychometric Analysis of the eHealth Literacy Scale in Portuguese Older Adults (eHEALS-PT24): Instrument Development and Validation.

Background: In this era of digitalization, eHealth interventions are used to engage patients in health care and help them manage their health. Previous studies showed that this can be particularly interesting for chronic disease self-management and self-care in older adults. Despite older adults becoming increasingly active on the internet, they continue to struggle in using eHealth information due to inadequate eHealth literacy.

Environment Disaster: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Determinants for the Preparation of Azorean Nurses.

Background/objectives: Climate change increases the vulnerability of regions, communities, and individuals, stressing the urgent requirement to prepare health professionals in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. To foster sustainable and resilient communities, it is essential to integrate disaster preparedness into health education and practice. By equipping nurses with essential knowledge and skills, healthcare systems can be better prepared to respond to the challenges of climate change and disasters, contributing to safer and more resilient urban environments.

Endorsement of the Lisbon Outcome Statement and Launch of a National Programme for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities in Portugal.

Portugal is one of the European Union countries with the highest rates of people aged 65 or more. The old-age dependency index is the third highest in Europe. Longevity is a remarkable human achievement but without a comprehensive approach to fostering healthy ageing over the life-course, the burden on health and care systems and social services will increase.

Risk factors affecting the therapeutic effect of onabotulinum toxin a on chronic migraine.

Background: OnabotulinumtoxinA demonstrates effectiveness in chronic migraine prevention but is hindered by variable patient responses. This study aims to identify modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors influencing the response to onabotulinumtoxinA.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary hospital involving chronic migraine patients treated with onabotulinumtoxinA.

Antiproliferative and Morphological Analysis Triggered by Drugs Contained in the Medicines for Malaria Venture COVID-Box Against Tachyzoites.

is a protozoan, and the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a disease that causes high mortality in immunocompromised individuals and newborns. Despite the medical importance of toxoplasmosis, few drugs, which are associated with side effects and parasite resistance, are available for its treatment. Here, we show a screening of molecules present in COVID-Box to discover new hits with anti- activity.

Comprehensive histopathological analysis of gastric cancer in European and Latin America populations reveals differences in PDL1, HER2, p53 and MUC6 expression.

Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) burden is currently evolving with regional differences associated with complex behavioural, environmental, and genetic risk factors. The LEGACy study is a Horizon 2020-funded multi-institutional research project conducted prospectively to provide comprehensive data on the tumour biological characteristics of gastroesophageal cancer from European and LATAM countries.

Material And Methods: Treatment-naïve advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma patients were prospectively recruited in seven European and LATAM countries.

The Effectiveness of eHealth Interventions in Promoting the Health Literacy of Informal Caregivers: A Systematic Literature Review Protocol.

Background: Digital Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) offer significant opportunities to enhance public health, particularly through their strategic use in promoting health literacy.

Objectives: This systematic review protocol aims to outline the methodological steps necessary to conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of digital interventions in improving health literacy among informal caregivers.

Methods: This review will include studies involving adult informal caregivers (≥18 years) undergoing a digital health intervention promoting health literacy.

[Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Monitoring Approach in Suspected Neurosyphilis: Proposal for a Clinical Guideline].

This clinical guideline was designed to serve as a hospital guide in the diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring approach to neurosyphilis, considering whether there is positivity or not for the human immunodeficiency virus. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted notifiable disease, known as the great imitator. In around 30% of cases of untreated disease, there is a persistent central nervous system infection.

A qualitative interview study on quality of life and ageing experiences of autistic adults.

Quality of life across the lifespan has been established as a key research priority by the autism community. Still relatively little is known about the quality of life and ageing experiences of older autistic adults. Most studies to date have used generic measures of quality of life which may not accurately capture the experiences of autistic people.

Social prescription for the elderly: a community-based scoping review.

Aim: This scoping review aimed to identify the social prescription activities that exist for the elderly in a community context.

Background: The increase in population ageing imposes the need to implement specific actions that guarantee elderly people the possibility of experiencing this phase with quality. The pandemic significantly exacerbated the needs of the elderly, leading to, regarding the loss of functional capacity, quality of life, well-being, mental health, and increased loneliness.

Analyzing innovative policies and practices for palliative care in Portugal: a qualitative study.

Background: Countries with formal policies for palliative care, and advanced and integrated practices in this field, such as Portugal, face challenges in achieving excellence in care, particularly in home-based assistance. Issues include care coordination among providers, confusion regarding the roles of each health care professional in the network, and a lack of monitoring and evaluation of actions. Our objective was to analyze the implementation of palliative care in primary health care in Portugal.

Female sexual dysfunction and distress in premenopausal women with migraine followed in a tertiary headache center: A pilot study.

Background: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is an underdiagnosed and undertreated problem. Few studies have addressed sexual distress in migraine. We aimed to perform a pilot study to determine if there is an association between migraine and sexual dysfunction/distress in premenopausal women and to identify their respective risk factors.

A qualitative approach on long-term indwelling catheter use in an outpatient setting.

A long-term indwelling catheter may be indicated in clinical situations, such as chronic diseases of the genitourinary or neurological systems. In addition to the risks of infection, trauma, and bleeding, a catheter's permanence can affect psycho-emotional and socioeconomic dimensions. We aimed to understand how the need to use a long-term indwelling catheter affects this patient's self-perception, interrelationships, and self-care.