Family practice
-
This study investigated the reliability and convergent validity of the PFFS-Malay version (PFFS-M) among patients (with varying educational levels), caregivers, and health care professionals (HCPs). PFFS-M cutoffs for frailty severity were developed. ⋯ PFFS-M is a reliable and valid tool with frailty severity scores now established for use of this tool in primary care clinics.
-
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic disease with a broad spectrum of severity. Although an early diagnosis of SMA is crucial to allow proper management of patients, the diagnostic delay is still an issue. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the clinical correlates of SMA among primary care patients. ⋯ Our findings suggest that primary care databases may be used to enhance the early identification of SMA. Additional efforts are needed to exploit the electronic health records of general practitioners to allow early recognition of SMA.
-
Observational Study
Variation in general practice referral rate to acute medicine services and association with hospital admission. A retrospective observational study.
Variation in general practice (GP) referral rates to outpatient services is well described however variance in rates of referral to acute medical units is lacking. ⋯ High variation in GP practice referral rate for acute medical assessment is incompletely explained by practice population socioeconomic factors and negatively associates with need for urgent inpatient care. Identifying modifiable factors influencing referral rate may provide opportunities to facilitate community-based care and reduce congestion on acute unscheduled care pathways.
-
Ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) is related to the future risk of cardiovascular disease. Sleep duration is an important factor influencing health outcomes. The association between sleep duration and CVH is unclear. ⋯ Short sleep duration was associated with decreased odds of ideal CVH and lower mean CVH score. Confirmation through longitudinal studies is needed.
-
Hypertension (HT) is highly prevalent and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Over 42% of Portuguese adults have HT. Even though the benefits of antihypertensive (AHT) drugs have been demonstrated, HT control remains inadequate. One major reason is that patients often fail to take their medications as prescribed. This paper aims to determine primary adherence to AHT therapy in newly diagnosed and treated hypertensive patients in Primary Health Care (PHC) units of Lisbon and Tagus Valley Health Region. ⋯ Overall, almost 1 out of 2 prescribed AHT drugs were not dispensed. Until this study, little was known in Portugal about primary adherence. Our findings imply that the potential benefits of AHT therapy cannot be fully realized in this population.