Evaluation of guidelines on antimicrobials use in food-producing animals: a systematic review.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health problem due to misuse/overuse of antimicrobials. The interplay between humans, animals, and the environment requires a One Health approach for effective AMR control. We focused this research on antimicrobial use in food-producing animals (bovine, caprine, equine, ovine, and swine) to assess the compliance of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries (members, partners, and candidates) with international guidelines: Codex Alimentarius: Code of Practice to Minimize and Contain Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance, and the Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

Educational interventions for the adoption of healthy lifestyles and improvement of health literacy: a systematic review.

Objectives: Health literacy constitutes an array of skills and knowledge that has the potential to empower one's ability to actively - and effectively - engage in their own health. Educational interventions can play a fundamental role in improving people's health literacy, which is, in turn, associated with the adoption of healthier lifestyles and a significant predictor of positive health outcomes. This study aimed to analyse the effect of educational interventions on both health literacy and the adoption of healthier lifestyles.

"Simplification, decentralization, proximity" - A critical analysis of the digital health framework in Portugal through expert interviews.

Introduction: The implementation of digital health tools and services encounters policy and governance challenges tied to a complex web of stakeholders and influencing factors. This study seeks analyse the digital health framework in Portugal, focusing on digital health policies and interventions.

Methods: Through a multifaceted approach, this study included the conduction of expert interviews, and an extensive assessment of publicly available official documents, thus allowing a thorough analysis of the national digital health framework.

Understanding potentially inappropriate medication: A focus group study with general practitioners.

Introduction: Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medication (PIM) pose significant challenges for older adults, frequently leading to adverse health outcomes. While digital health tools offer promise solutions to improve medication management for this population, their integration into primary care settings remains slow. This study aims to explore the perspectives of Portuguese general practitioners (GPs) regarding polypharmacy, PIM, and the adoption of digital health-related tools for medication appropriateness in older adults.

Stakeholder Consensus on an Interdisciplinary Terminology to Enable the Development and Uptake of Medication Adherence Technologies Across Health Systems: Web-Based Real-Time Delphi Study.

Background: Technology-mediated medication adherence interventions have proven useful, yet implementation in clinical practice is low. The European Network to Advance Best Practices and Technology on Medication Adherence (ENABLE) European Cooperation in Science and Technology Action (CA19132) online repository of medication adherence technologies (MATechs) aims to provide an open access, searchable knowledge management platform to facilitate innovation and support medication adherence management across health systems. To provide a solid foundation for optimal use and collaboration, the repository requires a shared interdisciplinary terminology.

Perceptions, Knowledge, and Attitudes of General Population About Prostate Cancer-Associated Risk Factors: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies Focusing on Lifestyle.

Purpose Of Review: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most prevalent cancer and the third deadliest in Europe among men. PCa has several well-established risk factors; however, the influence of lifestyle factors remains under investigation, which may hinder efforts to encourage healthier behavior adoption. Thus, this systematic review explored the general population's perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes regarding PCa-related risk factors.

Medication adherence in the curricula of future European physicians, pharmacists and nurses - a cross-sectional survey.

Aim: Many patients are not taking their medicines. It has substantial negative medical and economic consequences for patients and healthcare systems but there is limited knowledge on how medication adherence is integrated in medical education. This study seeks to investigate to what extent students in medicine, pharmacy and nursing in Europe are taught about medication adherence.

Understanding the Role of Irisin in Longevity and Aging: A Narrative Review.

Irisin is a protein resulting from a proteolytic cleavage of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FND5). The ability of irisin to modulate adipocyte and control glucose metabolism in human metabolic diseases gave rise to the hypothesis that irisin could have a pivotal role in aging-related diseases. Although in animal models, increased levels of irisin have been positively associated with better health outcomes, in humans, its role remains controversial.

Translation and Adaptation of the STOPP/START Criteria Version 3 for Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing in Older People to European Portuguese: A Study Protocol.

Introduction: As the global population ages, managing medication use in older adults becomes increasingly complex due to polypharmacy and the associated risks of adverse drug events. To improve the safety and appropriateness of medication use in the older population, tools like the Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions (STOPP) and Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment (START) criteria have been developed. The availability of updated criteria is crucial to better support healthcare professionals in Portuguese-speaking regions.

Construction and validation of an instrument to identify barriers to implementing pharmaceutical care.

Background: Pharmaceutical Care is a professional practice in high demand for implementation in Primary Health Care within the Public Health System. Consequently, it was necessary to develop and validate an instrument to assess the obstacles to this process.

Methods: A methodological study was conducted in three stages: first, the questionnaire was developed based on the APOTECA framework, which includes Attitudinal, Political, Technical, and Administrative domains.

Health Professionals' Perceptions about Prostate Cancer-A Focus Group Study.

Prostate cancer (PCa) accounts for 20% of new cancer cases and 10.5% of cancer-associated mortality in Portugal. Associated risk factors include advanced age, family history, genetic alterations, and race/ethnicity.

Usability of APIMedOlder: A Web Application to Manage Potentially Inappropriate Medication in Older Adults.

Introduction: Considering the increase in the proportion of the older population worldwide, the demand for health system resources also arises. These tools optimize clinical decision-making, thus avoiding iatrogenesis and thus contributing to a better quality of life for the older population. In response, we created an online web application, the APIMedOlder, that provides access to healthcare professionals to allow healthcare professionals to access potentially inappropriate medication identification criteria through a useful tool with a simplified profile, allowing its applicability in clinical practice.

The influence of nutrition in nodular thyroid pathology: a systematic review.

Nodular thyroid pathologies (NThyPs) are prevalent thyroid diseases, with a steadily increasing global incidence. Although their exact causes remain uncertain, various modifying factors, such as nutrition, influence their development. We aimed to systematically identify and synthesize the influence of dietary exposures on NThyPs risk.

Potentially inappropriate anticholinergic drug use among older adults in primary healthcare: prevalence and determinants.

Background: Considering the vulnerability of older adults to adverse drug reactions, medications with strong anticholinergic properties are considered potentially inappropriate for this population. This study aims to characterize older adults' profile of anticholinergics use and to identify the factors associated with their potentially inappropriate use.

Research Design And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 1200 older adults in primary health care centers of Portugal between April 2021 and August 2022.

Unmasking vaccine hesitancy and refusal: a deep dive into Anti-vaxxer perspectives on COVID-19 in Spain.

Background: At the time of the emergence of COVID-19, denialist and anti-vaccine groups have also emerged and are shaking public confidence in vaccination.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using online focus groups. Participants had not received any doses of vaccination against the disease.

Dentists' knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of antibiotic prescribing: A systematic review.

Objective: This study aims to explore dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding antibiotic use.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of dentists' knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding antibiotic use, by searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science for all original paper published from January 1990 to July 2023, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines.

Results: The review included 37 papers, (7 qualitative and 30 quantitative studies).

Medicines for an aging population: The EMA perspective and policies.

The European Medicines Agency adopted their Geriatric Medicines Strategy more than a decade ago. The strategy aims at elucidating the evidence basis for marketing authorization of new medicines which will be used in the older population, and at ensuring the appropriate communication of findings to the patient and healthcare provider. During the past decade new tools and data sources have emerged to support the strategy goals, and their use should be considered.

Outpatient Antipsychotic Use and Severe COVID-19: Avoiding the Impact of Age in a Real-World Data Study.

Background: The association between use of antipsychotics and COVID-19 outcomes is inconsistent, which may be linked to use of these drugs in age-related diseases. Furthermore, there is little evidence regarding their effect in the nongeriatric population. We aim to assess the association between antipsychotic use and risk of disease progression and hospitalization due to COVID-19 among the general population, stratifying by age.

Comparing AGS Beers 2019, STOPP version 2, and EU(7)-PIM list in Portuguese older adults in primary health care.

Purpose: This study aims to identify PIM prevalence in older adults according to the 2019 Beers criteria, Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions version 2 (STOPP v2) criteria, and the Portuguese EU(7)-PIM list and also to analyze the concordance between these criteria.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among 1200 Portuguese older adults (≥ 65 years old), users of primary health care. Demographic, clinical, and pharmacological data were collected concerning the period between April 2021 and August 2022.

Barriers and facilitators of health professionals in adopting digital health-related tools for medication appropriateness: A systematic review.

Objective: Digital health is described as the use and development of all types of digital technologies to improve health outcomes. It could be used to prevent medication errors, a priority for health systems worldwide. However, the adoption of such tools remains slow.

Magnitude and Determinants of Long-term Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors Among Portuguese Older Adults in Primary Health Care.

Purpose: Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) have been associated with several adverse effects of particular concern in older populations. Their use for a period longer than 8 weeks is not recommended for older adults. Strategies to discontinue PPIs have been offered; however, their use remains high.