Browsing by Author "Amaral, C"
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- Characterization of patients with ankylosing spondylitis in hidrokinesitherapy - a multidimensional assessmentPublication . Januário, F; Almeida, J; Serra, S; Amaral, C; Machado, P; Rodrigues, LAOBJECTIVES: Clinical, functional and working characterization of an Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) group of patients that perform hydrotherapy regularly in a physical and rehabilitation department. Assessment of the benefit of hydrotherapy in symptom relief, function and consumption of analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A transversal characterization of a group of patients with SA undergoing hydrotherapy was performed. Demographic, clinical (including disease activity, function and health-related quality of life), radiographic and laboratorial data was collected. A questionnaire about working situation, presence of dyspnoea, smoking, number of sessions and benefit of hydrotherapy was applied. RESULTS: 22 patients (73% males) were enrolled in the study, mean age 55.6 ± 8.8 years, mean duration of the disease 28.0 ± 13.13 years. Apart from the axial involvement, 50% had a previous history of enthesitis, 54.5% peripheral arthritis, 18% dactylitis and 36% uveitis. At the day of assessment, 81% had low-back pain complaints (39% inflammatory rhythm), 18% oligoarthritis, 9.1% had total hip and/or knee prosthesis. The majority of the patients had active disease, accentuated functional deterioration and reduced health related quality of life. About 54.5% were retired due to disability, 18.2% were smokers and 36.4% had dyspnoea; 31.8% presented restrictive ventilatory alterations; 36.4% obstructive (predominance in the small airways); 13.6% mixed and in 18.2% the spiromety was normal. The mean total time of hydrotherapy was 13 ± 6.8 years. The patients attended a mean of 3 sessions per week and 3 series of 15 sessions per year. Of the 22.7% that performed another physical activity, 80% walked and 20% cycled. The ingestions of analgesics (p < 0.05) and NSAIDs (p < 0.01) were also reduced. CONCLUSION: A high percentage of spyrometric changes were identified. The majority of the patients are retired due to disability. The patients feel benefit with hydrotherapy, that contributed to reduction of the analgesic and NSAIDs consumption. The importance of the global systemic evaluation and multidisciplinary of the SA to optimize the therapeuthics and improve the quality of life of the patients is pointed out.
- Provas de função respiratória – espirometriaPublication . Bastos, S; Januário, F; Amaral, C
- Rehabilitation of postural stability in ataxic/hemiplegic patients after strokePublication . Januário, F; Campos, I; Amaral, CPurpose. This study assesses the postural stability and the effect of balance training using a force platform visual biofeedback among outpatients with postural disturbances following stroke. Method. A tilting multiaxial force platform was used to assess bilateral postural stability in 38 outpatients (mean age 69.50 +/- 8.57 years) with hemiplegia and/or ataxia after stroke. Stability indexes were obtained. Afterwards, a subgroup of 12 patients with the poorest overall stability index (OASI) started a balance training programme in the force platform. Postural control training consisted of a 30-min training session once a week for a 15-week period. The test was then repeated. Results. In the 38 outpatients sample, the mean OASI was 4.7 +/- 2.0 and 42.1% of the patients used their hands for support. In the 12 outpatients group, the initial OASI was 5.8 +/- 2.3 and half of the patients used their hands for support. The final OASI was 3.3 +/- 1.0 (p = 0.005) and only two of the patients used their hands for support (p = 0.046). Conclusion. Our results suggest that a training programme using force platform visual biofeedback improves objective measures of bilateral postural stability in patients with hemiplegia and/or ataxia after stroke.
- A role for atorvastatin and insulin combination in protecting from liver injury in a model of type 2 diabetes with hyperlipidemiaPublication . Matafome, P; Nunes, E; Louro, T; Amaral, C; Crisóstomo, J; Rodrigues, L; Moedas, AR; Monteiro, P; Cipriano, MA; Seiça, RNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major complication linked with the metabolic syndrome associated with dyslipidemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Impact of type 2 diabetes with hyperlipidemia in NAFLD has to be established, as well as the utility of commonly prescribed anti-diabetic and lipid-lowering agents in improving liver injury markers. Genetic type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats were fed with a high-fat diet to test hepatic effects of type 2 diabetes with hyperlipidemia and the effect of atorvastatin and insulin, individually and in combination, in systemic and hepatic inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. High-fat diet aggravated fasting glycemia, systemic and liver lipids, and inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. Individual treatments improved glycemic and lipid profiles, but failed to improve inflammatory markers, whereas insulin was able to reduce liver oxidative stress parameters. Combination of insulin and atorvastatin further improved glycemic and lipid profiles and decreased circulating C-reactive protein levels and liver inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. Insulin and atorvastatin combination leads to better glycaemic and lipid profiles and to better protection against liver inflammation and oxidative stress, giving a superior level of liver protection in type 2 diabetic with hyperlipidemia.