Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PORTUGAL”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Infectious diseases surveillance activities in the north of Portugal, during the EURO 2004 football tournament.

A European football tournament (EURO 2004) took place in Portugal, from the 12 June to the 4 July 2004. Portugal's Northern Regional Health Authority serves a population of 3.2 million people. This region hosted 12 matches, more than any other region. We describe the communicable disease surveillance activities in the region, during EURO 2004. Ten foodborne outbreaks, seven cases of meningococcal disease and one case of legionnaires disease, were detected. Visitors were not affected, furthermore, cases among residents seemed not to be influenced by the presence of thousands of visitors. A similar pattern has been observed at other mass gatherings where special surveillance activities were implemented. This does not reduce the importance of public health surveillance during such mass gatherings. Furthermore, evaluation of this special activities should be an opportunity to put, issues of communicable disease surveillance resources, priorities, organisation and training back on the agenda.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMed2004

[Reported cases of malaria in the north of Portugal (1993-2002)].

The aim of this study is to provide epidemiological evidence useful to Portuguese health services dealing with prevention and treatment of malaria. Two sources of data were used: the computer database of statutory notifiable diseases and the reports of cases studied by local health authorities. The 140 cases of malaria reported between 1993 and 2002 in the North of Portugal are described. For the 26 available reports of cases occurred between 2000 and 2002 additional variables are described. The incidence rates of malaria, estimated for the period 1993-2002, respectively for Portugal and its Northern Region, were 0,74 and 0,45 per 100,000 persons-year. Incidence was stable across the studied period. Most cases were males aged 15 to 64. Most cases with laboratory confirmation were due to Plasmodium falciparum. Clinical picture, travelling details and preventive measures, namely chemoprophylaxis, were also described. All cases were imported, mostly from Portuguese speaking African countries. The usefulness of reporting cases of malaria and conducting the respective study was discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

A strategy to increase and assess vaccine coverage in the north of Portugal.

In the Northern Health Region of Portugal, vaccine coverage is measured by checking and studying individual vaccination records in health centres. Each year from 2001-2004, birth cohorts completing 2, 6 and 14 years of age were selected for assessment. Data collection occurred on January the following year and meetings with district immunisation coordinators took place every March. For all vaccines and birth cohorts considered, vaccine coverage values observed in the north of Portugal were excellent. In this paper, we make comparisons with published international data on vaccine coverage and discuss validity issues; we believe that no serious biases have affected the validity of our vaccine coverage data but comparisons with international data must be addressed with caution; the methods we used have been useful in increasing vaccination coverage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Hantaviral antigens and antibodies in wild rodents in Portugal.

Small rodents of the species Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus have been captured between 1986 and 1988 in several areas of Southern Portugal. A total of 135 animal specimens were examined for hantaviral antigens in lung sections and 5 have been found positive. Some of the rodents were shown to have serum antibodies as detected by immunofluorescence in titres up to 1:256. This investigation proves for the first time the presence of Hantavirus in wild rodent populations of Portugal.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Behçet's disease in Portugal.

During the last decades 156 patients with Behçet's disease were diagnosed and studied in Portugal. Until 1966 only two cases were referred in Portugal. In 1978 we reported 23 cases (18 males and 5 females) with multisystemic involvement, not different from that reported in other publications elsewhere. In 1987, 17 cases were reported from the Oporto region, diagnosed during a period of 5 years. In the region of Coimbra 15 cases were diagnosed (6 males and 9 females). In the Lisbon area from 1969 until 1990, 123 cases were studied altogether, 76 during the last decade (35 males and 41 females). All the cases studied had oral ulcerations and a high incidence of ocular involvement (clinical and sub-clinical, 87%). HLA-B5 was detected in 50% of the patients. At least four cases were fatal, three died with neuro-Behçet. Steroids, colchicine and thalidomide were the main form of treatment, for the patients in the Lisbon area, but in some cases chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, cyclosporine-A, fibrinolytic therapy, plasmapheresis and isovolemic hemodilution were also used.

Behcet Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Eradication of hepatitis B in Portugal. A challenge within reach of the National Health Service].

The aim of this work is to evaluate a major epidemiological problem--human hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection--in the world and in Portugal--reinforcing WHO's view that it is a worldwide health problem. Portugal is considered a risk area for HBV infection, with 30% of the population having had contact with the virus and 1 to 5% of chronic carriers (100 to 150,000 persons). Deficient information, education and sanitary conditions aggravate the national situation, urging for official measures that may, in future, lead to a status of controlled infection (less than 0.1% chronic carriers). We propose an educative and informative campaign, the fulfillment of sanitary measures legally controlled as well as the central support for vaccination against HBV. Some of the fundamental points for a legal document that institute a national program for HBV infection control are proposed. At present, cost-benefit relation seems to be favourable--but an adequate plan considering scientific and technical criteria is needed and essential to guarantee that benefits will outweigh investment in terms of Public Health. Recombinant vaccines, obtained by genetic engineering, are referred as the preferential type of vaccine to choose.

Hepatitis B↗
PubMed1987

Clinical and epidemiological significance of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection in chronic HBV carriers in Portugal.

This study demonstrated that in Portugal HDV infection occurs in 17.3% of HBsAg chronic carriers and chronic HDV infection in 8.4%. As in Northern European countries, HDV infection in Portugal is predominantly found in drug-addicts. Our findings also confirm that HDV infection is associated with an active and progressive liver disease. In delta Ag positive CLD serum HBV-DNA was detected in 10 of 19 cases and was present at low levels. In contrast 52 of 84 delta Ag negative were serum HBV-DNA positive and 48.1% of these had high serum HBV-DNA levels. Ninety per cent of delta Ag positive CLD with serum HBV-DNA positive were drug addicts. These findings indicate that in chronic HDV infection synthesis of HBV is reduced and suggest namely that in drug-addicts their disease derived from the cumulative pathogenic effect of both HBV and HDV. In follow-up biopsy a significantly younger mean age and significantly deterioration of carriers with HDV infection was observed, suggesting that HDV infection accelerates the natural history of HBV related liver disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

[The Duffy system: a population genetics study in Portugal, Guinea-Bissau and Brazil].

2225 blood samples from Portugal (classed according to historical provinces), 301 blood samples from Guinea-Bissau (classed in tribes) and 697 blood samples from Brazil (classed according to colour of skin) have been tested in the Duffy system. The Portuguese seem to be a sufficiently uniform and autonomous population. This is also true for the (non-rejected) blood-samples from Guinea-Bissau. The Brazilians differ in accordance with their colour of skin. The expected relations between Portugal and its former colonies can be proved. The Duffy system is suited for the distinction of black and non-black populations and enables to recognize extraneous admixtures.

Blood Group Antigens↗
PubMed1984

Kala-azar in Portugal. V. The sylvatic cycle in the enzootic endemic focus of Arrabida.

Leishmania parasites were found in three of 43 foxes examined in the Arrabida region of the Setúbal peninsula in Portugal, this brings the total number of cases of vulpine leishmaniasis to four in 71 animals examined in this area, a prevalence rate of 5.63%. The three parasitized foxes found in this study were all symptomless and NNN cultures inoculated with tissue extracts were positive for all three animals. The immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) was positive with titres greater than or equal to 1/128 in the three infected foxes. The isoenzyme electrophoretic profile obtained from these positive cultures showed the strains to be identical with others isolated in Portugal from man, dog and fox, as well as with strains from elsewhere in the Mediterranean (zymodeme 1). The prevalence rate of 5.63% is probably sufficient to maintain endemicity. The presence of a semi-autonomic sylvatic cycle in the area seems likely. Hepatozoon was found in 28 foxes (65.11%).

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[The epidemiology of chronic venous insufficiency in Portugal].

The prevalence of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) was investigated in 44,777 unselected primary care outpatient clinics in 17 of the 20 districts in Portugal, during 1993. The diagnosis of CVI was established clinically by 427 participating general practitioners. CVI was more prevalent in females, with a female to male ratio of 2.1:1. The disease affects all age groups, but in females its prevalence increases sharply between 15 and 20 years, while in males it begins to become important about 10 years later. The maximum age-specific prevalence is reached between 55 and 64 years in both sexes, when CVI is present in 58% of females and in 35% of males. Overall prevalence of CVI was calculated using the data from the population census of 1991, by the direct standardization method. The estimated prevalence of CVI in males is 17.8% and in females is 34.1%, corresponding to 812 thousand and 1,741 thousand cases in Portugal, respectively. In the population over 15 years old, the prevalence is 20.7% in males and 40.8% in females. These estimates have an error of +/- 2.5% with 95% confidence. The geographical distribution of the disease showed different patterns in males and in females. Prevalence decreases from coast to inland in males, and from south to north in females.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Rickettsia slovaca: an agent of the group of exanthematous fevers, in Portugal].

BACKGROUND: Identification of Rickettsia isolated from Dermacentor marginatus ticks from Portugal. METHODS: Using recently developed techniques (shell-vial isolation, PCR/RFLP genetical methods, SDS-PAGE), serological studies and animal induced pathology to isolate and characterize tick-borne rickettsiae. RESULTS: A total of 632 adults D. marginatus ticks were captured. From the collected ticks, we isolated 18 Rickettsia strains and the results confirm that the isolates from the haemolymph were identical to R. slovaca reference strain. CONCLUSIONS: Dermacentor marginatus ticks infected with Rickettsia slovaca were found in Portugal. This occurrence extended the known, geographical area for this microorganism. It is also a factor that could alter the seroprevalence rates of butonneuse fever. The pathogenicity of this Rickettsia should be evaluated to determine its responsibility for diseases other than butonneuse fever.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[An estimate of the prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Portugal].

The authors projected to the Portuguese population the data on prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease obtained respectively by Hofman et al. and Rocca et al through reanalyses of European epidemiological studies conducted or published between 1980 and 1990. The projection relies on the fact that the results of these reanalyses are extensive to all European countries. With this projection which is based on the Portuguese population census of 1991 the numbers of about 92.470 demented patients and about 48.706 Alzheimer's patients are obtained for Portugal. The authors think that, until systematic epidemiological studies of dementia and Alzheimer's disease are available in Portugal, the data now provided are useful for the planning of the care of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Adolescent pregnancy in Portugal: effectiveness of continuity of care by an obstetrician.

OBJECTIVE: To improve health among newborn infants of pregnant adolescents in Portugal, we developed and evaluated a prenatal care intervention. METHODS: The study group consisted of 80 adolescents recruited as they registered for prenatal care at Hospital Santa Maria in Lisbon. The intervention consisted of three components: initiation of prenatal care at registration, continuity of care by the same obstetrician, and emphasis on the specific nutritional and other health needs of pregnant adolescents. Controls were recruited after delivery on the maternity ward of the same hospital and were matched for age at conception, race, socioeconomic status, years of education, planned versus unplanned pregnancy, and previous body mass index. Controls received the routine care provided to pregnant adult women, including initiation of prenatal care at some point after registration and care by different general practitioners at each visit. RESULTS: Twenty mothers in the control group did not receive prenatal care and were excluded from further analysis. Mothers in the intervention group had their first prenatal visit 2 weeks sooner (P = .02) and had on average almost twice the number of prenatal visits (P = .0001) as controls. They gained 2.0 kg more on average compared with controls (P = .05). Infants of the mothers in the intervention group weighed an average of 181 g more than those in the control group. Fewer infants in the intervention group needed care in the high-risk pediatric unit (P = .005). When potentially confounding variables were controlled in a multivariate analysis, infants in the intervention group weighed on average 174 g more than those in the routine-care group (P = .02). CONCLUSION: This intervention, based on traditional tenets of good medical care, is effective in improving the outcomes of infants born to adolescent mothers in Portugal.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Occupational health nursing in Portugal.

Portugal has approximately 10 million inhabitants of which, in 1991, 4,625,200 were employed. The main causes of death are circulatory system illnesses and malignant tumors. The most common occupational diseases are pneumoconiosis, work induced hearing loss, and contact dermatitis. In 1991 1% of the 304,636 occupational accidents were fatal. The majority of Portuguese enterprises have no occupational health services, although occupational health services rules have existed since 1967. The estimated 1,500 occupational health nurses in different roles do not have specialized training; however, as a member of the EC, Portugal will adhere to whatever is accepted in this field.

Occupational Health Nursing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiological characterization of chronic venous insufficiency in Portugal].

With the objective of studying the spectrum of clinical manifestations of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), we conducted an epidemiological survey in 17 of the 20 districts in Portugal. This study involved 436 general practitioners and 8243 consecutive attendants of the national health service aged 15 and over, who were inquired for symptoms and signs of CVI. The diagnosis of CVI was established on clinical grounds by the physicians, who recorded data on demography, associated diseases, past history, symptoms, physical signs, and characteristics and location of varicose veins. These data were combined with the estimates of prevalence of CVI obtained in a previous study on 45,000 individuals and with the results of the population census of 1991 to obtain age and sex adjusted population prevalences of the disease manifestations. The results show that the prevalence of CVI, radicular and troncular varices, and troncular varices is 20, 12 and 6% in males and 40, 22 and 10% in females. The prevalence of grade 0, 1, 2 and 3 CVI is 2, 10, 6 and 3% in males and 4, 22, 12 and 4% in females. The prevalence of a history of phlebitis and venous thrombosis is 4.5 and 1.3% in males and 8.9 and 1.5% in females. The prevalence of chronic venous ulcer, either active and inactive, is 3.2% in males and 3.9% in females. These data indicate that the situation of CVI in Portugal is similar to that reported in other European countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Selection of homogeneous populations for genetic study: the Portugal genetics of psychosis project.

Molecular genetic studies of psychiatric disorders must face the possibility that despite the significant contribution of genetic factors to the expression of syndromes like schizophrenia, these syndromes may be a heterogeneous collection of genetic and non-genetic illnesses. These illnesses may be etiologically distinct from each other and still share many clinical features in common. Linkage studies of families with multiple affected members tend to favor the selection of genetic forms of a syndrome but can still represent a heterogeneous set of different genetic illnesses. To limit the potential genetic heterogeneity of a study sample, we selected a population that was geographically isolated and was historically relatively genetically homogeneous. We then assessed the relative level of homogeneity utilizing a surname analysis of the population of the Azores, mainland Portugal, rural USA, and urban USA. The average number of families with the same last name corrected for population size in the Azores is 30.88, in Coimbra it is 21.42, compared to 1.13 in a rural American population and 0.38 in an urban American population. The results of this analysis indicate that the Azores have the highest degree of homogeneity, and mainland Portugal has a high degree of homogeneity.

Azores↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The seroprevalence for hepatitis E viral antibodies in the northern region of Portugal (among the donor population)].

The authors have undertaken a study in the north of Portugal in what concerns the prevalence of antibodies for HEV donors. This study was transverse through observation and survey. A sample of 1.473 donors was randomly selected from among the population of donors of the Oporto Regional Blood Centre. This sample was representative of the northern region and stratified by district. The usual EIA method has been used to search for HEV antibodies. The results, which were repeatedly reactive, have been confirmed by Western Blot. The prevalence of antibodies for Hepatitis E was 2.5%. The test identified a possible cohort effect and the sample showed that the average age of the donors with or without antibodies was identical. No difference was observed regarding sex, distribution by districts or the presence of antibodies for HB virus. Hepatitis E is benign, without chronic state carrier and almost every patient presents acute symptomatology. The value of prevalence found as well as the absence of clinical symptomatology in the observed donors and the normal state of the hepatic markers, indicate that the use of blood and components obtained from this population should not be a problem. The recommendation proposed by the European Council does not mention the systematic research of HEV. However the epidemiological HEV survey is considered important from the transfusional point of view and as an indicator of the sanitary development of the population. Bearing in mind the developing status of Portugal in this area, it is of utmost importance to create the means to reach European standards.

Adult↗