http://hdl.handle.net/10174/29563 2026-05-16T07:59:07Z 2026-05-16T07:59:07Z Lopes, R Santos, A Gomes, T Ribeiro, J Rodrigues, I Paiva, B Nzwalo, H Catamo, D Baco, J Buque, H Botelho, M Pais, S Nzwalo, H http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41991 2026-05-08T15:54:28Z 2025-05-26T23:00:00Z

Title: An integrative review of potential diagnostic biomarkers for complex regional pain syndrome. Authors: Lopes, R; Santos, A; Gomes, T; Ribeiro, J; Rodrigues, I; Paiva, B; Nzwalo, H; Catamo, D; Baco, J; Buque, H; Botelho, M; Pais, S; Nzwalo, H Abstract: Abstract: Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare, chronic, painful, neurological, debilitating disorder. Despite the substantial impact on quality of life, di- agnosis remains challenging due to its complex pathophysiology and subjective clinical criteria. This integrative review aims to synthesize current research on potential diagnostic biomarkers for CRPS. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using the PubMed and Scopus databases to identify relevant studies published until January 2025. Inclusion criteria focused on adult CRPS patients, with studies examining diagnostic or predictive biomarkers. Results: Key findings highlight the role of inflammatory and immune-related biomarkers, such as elevated levels of cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), immune cell infiltration, and specific autoantibodies. Neuropeptides, including substance P and calcitonin gene- related peptide, were associated with pain sensitization in acute phases, though their levels normalized in chronic stages. Additionally, genetic and epigenetic markers, brain imaging, and neurophysiological alterations provided insights into CRPS pathogenesis, emphasizing the dynamic nature of these biomarkers across disease stages. Conclusions: This review underscores the need for further research to integrate these biomarkers into diagnostic frameworks, which could enhance early diagnosis and treatment strategies for CRPS.

2025-05-26T23:00:00Z Tomé, A Rosa, M Pais, Sandra Tomás, MT Fontes, AP http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41990 2026-05-08T15:54:13Z 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z

Title: + Equilíbrio 65 - risco de queda em idosos na comunidade da região do Algarve Authors: Tomé, A; Rosa, M; Pais, Sandra; Tomás, MT; Fontes, AP Abstract: Introdução - As quedas cons2tuem uma das principais causas de morbilidade na população sénior. A iden2ficação e caracterização dos fatores causais é basilar na intervenção. Obje2vo - Caracterizar a população de indivíduos com 65 anos ou mais de idade, da comunidade, inscritos em universidades sénior, do ponto de vista sociodemográfico e dos fatores de risco e risco de queda. Metodologia –Estudo transversal observacional. Incluídos indivíduos com 65 ou mais anos de idade. Dados recolhidos por ques2onário de autopreenchimento e avaliação de risco de queda e capacidade funcional e cogni2va com instrumentos específicos: FES-I TUG-C, FRT e FAB. Resultados – Avaliados 128 par2cipantes dos 65-92 anos de idade (74.95±6.13), 74.2% mulheres. 31,3% tem história de queda no úl2mo ano; 75% toma mais de um medicamento por dia; 97,7% refere comorbilidades crónicas; 14.8% e 13.3% apresentam TUG-C e FRT, respe2vamente, compabveis com risco muito elevado de queda. 74,2% tem medo de cair moderado ou elevado e 49,2% tem disfunção marcada das funções execu2vas Discussão – A elevada percentagem de fatores de risco, a prevalência de quedas anteriores, polimedicação, comorbilidades crónicas e baixo nível de a2vidade fsica, risco psicossocial e baixos níveis de escolaridade são sinais de risco. O elevado medo de cair, desempenho reduzido nos testes de equilíbrio está2co e dinâmico e o declínio cogni2vo evidenciam a importância de uma avaliação mul2dimensional do risco de queda. Conclusão – Este estudo permi2u um olhar mais consistente sobre a problemá2ca do equilíbrio e risco de queda e possibilitou sinalizar e analisar os principais fatores de risco de queda, em idosos na comunidade numa região do Algarve.

2025-12-01T00:00:00Z Cardoso, Paulo Santos, Tânia Ramon-Krauel, Marta Pais, Sandra Sousa-Coelho, Ana http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41989 2026-05-08T15:53:59Z 2025-03-21T00:00:00Z

Title: Impact of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery on Sarcopenia-Related Parameters According to the EWGSOP2 Consensus Criteria in Persons Living with Obesity Authors: Cardoso, Paulo; Santos, Tânia; Ramon-Krauel, Marta; Pais, Sandra; Sousa-Coelho, Ana Abstract: Although bariatric and metabolic surgery (BS) has proved effective in the treatment of obesity based on the reduction in fat mass and the remission of comorbidities, there is also loss of lean mass after BS which could compromise muscle functional- ity. According to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), sarcopenia is a disease associated with loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, we identified a range of studies focusing on evaluating sarcopenia-related parameters according to the EWGSOP2 consensus criteria, before and after BS. Although most studies reported reductions in skeletal muscle mass and absolute muscle strength after surgery, improvements in muscle functionality were generally achieved, independent of the type of BS.

2025-03-21T00:00:00Z Farinha, Madalena Guerreiro, Rui Paim, Isabella Pereira, Pedro Pires, Ana Recto, Teresa Marques, Lucinda Raimundo, Rui http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41988 2026-05-12T11:36:14Z 2026-04-30T23:00:00Z

Title: Associations Between Breastfeeding and Early Cognitive Development in Children Aged 2–3 Years: A Rapid Literature Review Authors: Farinha, Madalena; Guerreiro, Rui; Paim, Isabella; Pereira, Pedro; Pires, Ana; Recto, Teresa; Marques, Lucinda; Raimundo, Rui Editors: Moreira, José; Bico, Isabel; Moguel, Enrique; Alves, Elisabete; Fonseca, César; Ferreira, Rogério Abstract: Abstract. Introduction: Breastfeeding is widely recognised as a key determinant of child health and development, with growing evidence suggesting a beneficial role in early cognitive and neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, evidence synthesis focusing specifically on children aged 2 to 3 years remains limited, despite this being a critical period of brain maturation and functional development. Objective: This rapid review aimed to synthesise recent evidence on the associ- ation between breastfeeding practices—including duration and exclusivity—and cognitive and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children aged 2 to 3 years. Methods: A rapid literature review was conducted in accordance with the WHO Rapid Review Guide and reported following PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science was performed for studies pub- lished between January 2021 and December 2025. Eligible studies included obser- vational designs assessing breastfeeding exposure and cognitive or neurodevelop- mental outcomes in children aged 24–36 months. Study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality appraisal were conducted by independent reviewers. Findings were synthesised narratively using a thematic approach. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising four longitudinal cohort studies and two large-scale cross-sectional analyses conducted across diverse geographical settings. Overall, longer breastfeeding duration was consistently associated with more favourable neurodevelopmental outcomes, including higher global developmental scores, improved language and socioemotional develop- ment, and markers of advanced brain microstructural maturation. Evidence of a dose–response relationship was observed, with breastfeeding for 7–12 months showing the most robust associations across multiple developmental domains. Exclusive breastfeeding for six months was particularly associated with improved communication and problem-solving skills in low-resource settings. While exclu- sive breastfeeding was not consistently associated with long-term cognitive trajec- tories, cumulative breastfeeding exposure was linked to higher baseline cognitive performance in early childhood. Conclusions: This rapid review suggests that breastfeeding, particularly when sus- tained beyond the early postnatal period, is positively associated with cognitive, neurobiological, and socioemotional development in children aged 2 to 3 years. Although causal inference is limited by the observational nature of the evidence, the overall consistency and biological plausibility of findings support current pub- lic health recommendations promoting exclusive and continued breastfeeding as part of strategies to optimise early childhood development.

2026-04-30T23:00:00Z