Acta Medica Port
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A 61-year old male was referred to the Ophthalmology department because of decreased bilateral visual acuity. The patient had metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and was being treated with gemcitabine+nab-paclitaxel. On examination, the patient presented best corrected visual acuities of 4/20 and 2/20 in the right and left eye, respectively. ⋯ Macular edema is a very rare side effect of taxanes, and the etiopathology is still unknown. Edema is usually reversible upon discontinuation of the offending agent. Clinicians should be aware of this adverse effect of taxanes, and a high index of clinical suspicion is essential for diagnosis.
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Excessive chronic alcohol users, and particularly patients with alcohol use disorder, may present an alcohol withdrawal syndrome if they abruptly stop drinking. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome requires pharmacological treatment for the treatment of withdrawal symptoms and to prevent withdrawal complications. Medically assisted withdrawal treatment is used in alcohol treatment units, but it is also frequently required in patients admitted to hospital for other conditions. ⋯ Maintaining a high level of suspicion for alcohol withdrawal syndrome is important across all clinical settings, and it should be promptly treated.
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Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has gained relevance as a method of prevention for HIV in certain people and settings. Following the publication of the guideline on PrEP prescribing in Portugal, we aimed to assess the knowledge of Portuguese Medical Students about PrEP. ⋯ The differences between Medical Schools could be harmonized through changes in the medical curricula that would allow this topic to be addressed more often.
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Nonmedical use of prescription drugs and other substances for cognitive enhancement in the academic environment has been documented in several studies. However, the prevalence among Portuguese university students is unknown. We aimed to assess the prevalence and academic contexts of the use of cognitive enhancers of a sample of Portuguese medical students. ⋯ Studying drugtaking behaviors in medical students and young doctors is relevant for public health and medical education, since they will soon be in charge of drugs prescription. Therefore, ethical and medical concerns raised by off label consumption of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement purposes must be openly addressed.