Browsing by Author "Loureiro, Marli"
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- Inhaler training and asthma knowledge are associated with a higher proportion of patients with correct inhaler technique in young but not in elderly asthmatic patientsPublication . Ferreira, Eduardo Freitas; Pascoal, Adriana dos Santos; Silva, Patrícia; Lourenço, Olga; Valente, Maria La Salete; Valente, Maria de Jesus; Loureiro, Marli; Gama, Jorge; Fonseca, Joao A; Taborda Barata, LuisObjective: Incorrect inhaler usage is frequent, particularly in elderly asthmatic patients. This study aimed at comparing inhaler technique errors and their determinants, as well inhaler technique self-perception versus real performance, between elderly and non-elderly asthmatics. Methods: Cross-sectional assessment of 92 elderly and 100 non-elderly asthmatics followed at specialty clinics. A standardized questionnaire was applied and inhaler technique demonstration was requested. Errors were assessed using checklists based on manufacturers’ instructions and inhaler technique was graded as correct, acceptable or incorrect. Chi-Square Test and Fischer’s Exact Test were used for comparative analysis of nominal variables. A p value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Inhaler technique was correct in a minority of elderly and young patients, without significant differences between study groups. Only 11.1% of the elderly who classified their inhaler as easy and 12.7% who stated their technique was correct had no errors. Previous regular inhaler training was associated with better actual performance in young but not in elderly patients. Conclusion: Our study showed that in spite of regular follow up at specialized outpatient clinics, inhaler devices are associated with a high frequency of errors in elderly and non-elderly asthmatics. In addition, most patients tend to overestimate their technique as correct. Finally, previous, frequent training was associated with a significantly higher percentage of patients showing correct or acceptable technique but only in non-elderly asthmatics, which suggests that elderly asthmatics may need specifically tailored inhaler education programs.
- Reaching 100 in the Countryside: Health Profile and Living Circumstances of Portuguese Centenarians from the Beira Interior RegionPublication . Afonso, Rosa Marina; Ribeiro, Oscar; Patto, Maria Da Assunção Vaz; Loureiro, Marli; Loureiro, Manuel; Castelo-Branco, Miguel; Patricio, Susana; Alvarinhas, Sara; Tomaz, Tatiana; Rocha, Clara; Jerónimo, Ana Margarida; Gouveia, Fatima; Amaral, Ana PaulaThe interest in studying a specific population of centenarians who lives in the country’s interior region (PT100-BI) emerged during the first Portuguese systematic study about centenarians (PT100 Oporto Centenarian Study). This region of Portugal is predominantly rural and is one of the regions with the largest number of aged people. The aim of this study is to provide information on the centenarians who live in the Beira Interior region, specifically in terms of their health status and the health services they use. A total of 101 centenarians (mean age: 101.1 years; SD = 1.5 years), 14 males and 87 females, were considered. Most centenarians lived in the community, and 47.6% lived in nursing homes. Nearly half (47.5%) presented cognitive functioning without deficits. A noteworthy percentage presented conditioned mobility and sensory problems. The most common self-reported diseases include urinary incontinence (31.7%), high blood pressure (23.8%), and heart conditions (19.8%). Despite these health and functional characteristics, formal support services and technical assistance were found to be scarcely used. Further research is needed to understand how the role of contextual variables and the countryside environment contribute to the centenarians’ adaptation to advanced longevity.