Browsing by Author "Pereira, Ana Margarida"
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- Adult asthma scores—development and validation of multivariable scores to identify asthma in surveysPublication . Sá-Sousa, Ana; Pereira, Ana Margarida; Almeida, Rute; Araújo, Luís; Couto, Mariana; Jacinto, Tiago; Freitas, Alberto; Bousquet, Jean; Fonseca, João A.One of the questions in epidemiology is the identification of adult asthma in studies. To develop and validate multivariable scores for adult asthma identification in epidemiological studies and to explore cutoffs to rule in/rule out asthma, compared with asthma diagnosed by a physician after clinical examination and diagnostic tests, blinded to the self-administered questions. We analyzed data (n = 711 adults) from a nationwide population-based study. The predictors were self-administered questions identified in a literature review (the Adult Asthma Epidemiological Score [A2 score]) and from the Global Allergy and Asthma Network of Excellence (GA2LEN) questionnaire (the GA2LEN Asthma Epidemiological Score [GA2LEN score]). Scores were developed using exploratory factor analysis. Internal consistency, discriminative power, and diagnostic accuracy were assessed. The A2 score comprises 8 questions (including “Did a physician confirm you had asthma?”) and the GA2LEN score comprises 6 questions (including “Have you ever had asthma?”). Both had high Cronbach α (0.89 and 0.85, respectively, for the A2 score and the GA2LEN score) and good area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (90.4% and 89.0%). The scoring is the sum of positive answers. Asthma is present (rule in) for scores of 4 or more (specificity, 99.2%; PPV, 93.3% and 91.7%; accuracy, 89.4% and 87.4%, respectively, for the A2 score and the GA2LEN score). Asthma is excluded (rule out) for A2 scores of 0 to 1 and a GA2LEN score of 0 (sensitivity, 93.1%; NPV, 98.2% and 98.0%; accuracy 89.4% and 82.8%, respectively, for the A2 score and the GA2LEN score). These practical scores can be used to rule in/rule out asthma in epidemiological studies and clinical screening/triage settings. They may help physicians in primary care or other specialties to screen patients with asthma using a simple score with a high level of discrimination and to identify the best candidates to be referred for a diagnostic workup. Moreover, their use may contribute to reducing the inconsistencies of operational definitions of asthma across studies and surveys.
- Control of allergic rhinitis and asthma test: a systematic review of measurement properties and COSMIN analysisPublication . Vieira, Rafael José; Sousa-Pinto, Bernardo; Cardoso-Fernandes, António; Jácome, Cristina; Portela, Diana; Amaral, Rita; Sá-Sousa, Ana; Pereira, Ana Margarida; Bousquet, Jean; Fonseca, João AlmeidaThe Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) is a patient-reported outcome measurement (PROM) assessing the control of asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) at a 4 week interval. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the measurement properties of CARAT. Following PRISMA and COSMIN guidelines, we searched five bibliographic databases and retrieved studies concerning the development, assessment of properties, validation, and/or cultural adaption of CARAT. The studies' methodological quality, the quality of measurement properties, and the overall quality of evidence were assessed. We performed meta-analysis of CARAT measurement properties. We included 16 studies. Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test displayed sufficient content validity and very good consistency (meta-analytical Cronbach alpha = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.80–0.86;I2 = 62.6%). Control of allergic rhinitis and Asthma Test meta-analytical intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.91 (95% CI = 0.64–0.98;I2 = 93.7%). It presented good construct validity, especially for correlations with Patient-reported outcome measures assessing asthma (absolute Spearman correlation coefficients range = 0.67–0.73; moderate quality of evidence), and good responsiveness. Its minimal important difference is 3.5. Overall, CARAT has good internal consistency, reliability, construct validity and responsiveness, despite the heterogeneous quality of evidence. Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test can be used to assess the control of asthma and AR. As first of its kind, this meta-analysis of CARAT measurement properties sets a stronger level of evidence for asthma and/or AR control questionnaires.
- Determinants of the use of health and fitness mobile apps by patients with asthma: secondary analysis of observational studiesPublication . Neves, Ana Luísa; Jácome, Cristina; Taveira-Gomes, Tiago; Pereira, Ana Margarida; Almeida, Rute; Amaral, Rita; Alves-Correia, Magna; Mendes, Sandra; Chaves-Loureiro, Cláudia; Valério, Margarida; Lopes, Cristina; Carvalho, Joana; Mendes, Ana; Ribeiro, Carmelita; Prates, Sara; Ferreira, José Alberto; Teixeira, Maria Fernanda; Branco, Joana; Santalha, Marta; Vasconcelos, Maria João; Lozoya, Carlos; Santos, Natacha; Cardia, Francisca; Moreira, Ana Sofia; Taborda-Barata, Luís; Pinto, Cláudia Sofia; Ferreira, Rosário; Silva, Pedro Morais; Ferreira, Tânia Monteiro; Câmara, Raquel; Lobo, Rui; Bordalo, Diana; Guimarães, Cristina; Santo, Maria Espírito; Oliveira, José Ferraz de; Augusto, Maria José Cálix; Gomes, Ricardo; Vieira, Inês; Silva, Sofia da; Marques, Maria; Cardoso, João; Morete, Ana; Aroso, Margarida; Cruz, Ana Margarida; Nunes, Carlos; Câmara, Rita; Rodrigues, Natalina; Abreu, Carmo; Albuquerque, Ana Luísa; Vieira, Claúdia; Santos, Carlos; Páscoa, Rosália; Chaves-Loureiro, Carla; Alves, Adelaide; Neves, Ângela; Marques, José Varanda; Reis, Bruno; Ferreira-Magalhães , Manuel; Fonseca, João AlmeidaHealth and fitness apps have potential benefits to improve self-management and disease control among patients with asthma. However, inconsistent use rates have been reported across studies, regions, and health systems. A better understanding of the characteristics of users and nonusers is critical to design solutions that are effectively integrated in patients’ daily lives, and to ensure that these equitably reach out to different groups of patients, thus improving rather than entrenching health inequities.
- Feasibility and acceptability of an asthma app to monitor medication adherence: mixed methods studyPublication . Jácome, Cristina; Almeida, Rute; Pereira, Ana Margarida; Amaral, Rita; Mendes, Sandra; Alves-Correia, Magna; Vidal, Carmen; Freire, Sara López; Brea, Paula Méndez; Araújo, Luís; Couto, Mariana; Antolín-Amérigo, Darío; Caballer, Belén de la Hoz; Castro, Alicia Barra; Gonzalez-De-Olano, David; Bom, Ana Todo; Azevedo, João; Pinto, Paula Leiria; Pinto, Nicole; Neves, Ana Castro; Palhinha, Ana; Bom, Filipa Todo; Costa, Alberto; Loureiro, Cláudia Chaves; Santos, Lilia Maia; Arrobas, Ana; Valério, Margarida; Cardoso, João; Emiliano, Madalena; Gerardo, Rita; Rodrigues, José Carlos Cidrais; Oliveira, Georgeta; Carvalho, Joana; Mendes, Ana; Lozoya, Carlos; Santos, Natacha; Menezes, Fernando; Gomes, Ricardo; Câmara, Rita; Alves, Rodrigo Rodrigues; Moreira, Ana Sofia; Bordalo, Diana; Alves, Carlos; Ferreira, José Alberto; Lopes, Cristina; Silva, Diana; Vasconcelos, Maria João; Teixeira, Maria Fernanda; Ferreira-Magalhães, Manuel; Taborda-Barata, Luís; Cálix, Maria José; Alves, Adelaide; Fonseca, João AlmeidaPoor medication adherence is a major challenge in asthma, and objective assessment of inhaler adherence is needed. The InspirerMundi app aims to monitor adherence while providing a positive experience through gamification and social support. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the InspirerMundi app to monitor medication adherence in adolescents and adults with persistent asthma (treated with daily inhaled medication). A 1-month mixed method multicenter observational study was conducted in 26 secondary care centers from Portugal and Spain. During an initial face-to-face visit, physicians reported patients’ asthma therapeutic plan in a structured questionnaire. During the visits, patients were invited to use the app daily to register their asthma medication intakes. A scheduled intake was considered taken when patients registered the intake (inhaler, blister, or other drug formulation) by using the image-based medication detection tool. At 1 month, patients were interviewed by phone, and app satisfaction was assessed on a 1 (low) to 5 (high) scale. Patients were also asked to point out the most and least preferred app features and make suggestions for future app improvements. A total of 107 patients (median 27 [P25-P75 14-40] years) were invited, 92.5% (99/107) installed the app, and 73.8% (79/107) completed the 1-month interview. Patients interacted with the app a median of 9 (P25-P75 1-24) days. At least one medication was registered in the app by 78% (77/99) of patients. A total of 53% (52/99) of participants registered all prescribed inhalers, and 34% (34/99) registered the complete asthma therapeutic plan. Median medication adherence was 75% (P25-P75 25%-90%) for inhalers and 82% (P25-P75 50%-94%) for other drug formulations. Patients were globally satisfied with the app, with 75% (59/79) scoring ≥4,; adherence monitoring, symptom monitoring, and gamification features being the most highly scored components; and the medication detection tool among the lowest scored. A total of 53% (42/79) of the patients stated that the app had motivated them to improve adherence to inhaled medication and 77% (61/79) would recommend the app to other patients. Patient feedback was reflected in 4 major themes: medication-related features (67/79, 85%), gamification and social network (33/79, 42%), symptom monitoring and physician communication (21/79, 27%), and other aspects (16/79, 20%). The InspirerMundi app was feasible and acceptable to monitor medication adherence in patients with asthma. Based on patient feedback and to increase the registering of medications, the therapeutic plan registration and medication detection tool were redesigned. Our results highlight the importance of patient participation to produce a patient-centered and engaging mHealth asthma app.
- Feasibility of a mobile app to improve inhaler adherence in real‐world patients with asthma: A multicentre observational study in Portugal and SpainPublication . Jácome, Cristina; Rute, Almeida; Amaral, Rita; Pereira, Ana Margarida; Vidal, Carmen; Freire, Sara Lopéz; Mendez Brea, Paula; Antolín- Amerigo, Dario; De La Hoz Caballer, Belen; Barra Castro, Alicia; González de Olano, David; Todo-Bom, Ana; Azevedo, João; Pinto, Paula Leiria; Neuparth, Nuno; Todo-Bom, Filipa; Costa, A.; Loureiro, Cláudia Chaves; Maia Santos, L.; Arrobas, Ana Maria; Valério, M.; Cardoso, João; Emiliano, Madalena; Gerardo, Rita; Cidrais Rodrigues, J. C.; Oliveira, G.; Carvalho, J.; Mendes, Ana; Lozoya, Carlos; Santos, Natacha; Menezes, F.; Gomes, Ricardo; Câmara, R.; Rodrigues Alves, Rodrigo; Moreira, Ana Sofia; Bordalo, Diana; Alves, C.; Coelho, D.; Ferreira, J. A.; Lopes, Cristina; Vasconcelos, M. J.; Teixeira, M. F.; Taborda-Barata, L.; Cálix, M. J.; Alves, A.; Almeida Fonseca, J.InspirerMundi app aims to transform adherence into a positive experience through gamification and social support, while allowing objective monitoring of inhaler adherence. This study assessed the feasibility of the app in adolescents and adults with persistent asthma.
- Multidisciplinary development and initial validation of a clinical knowledge base on chronic respiratory diseases for mHealth decision support systemsPublication . Pereira, Ana Margarida; Jácome, Cristina; Jacinto, Tiago; Amaral, Rita; Pereira, Mariana; Sá-Sousa, Ana; Couto, Mariana; Vieira-Marques, Pedro; Martinho, Diogo; Vieira, Ana; Almeida, Ana; Martins, Constantino; Marreiros, Goreti; Freitas, Alberto; Almeida, Rute; Fonseca, João A.Most mobile health (mHealth) decision support systems currently available for chronic obstructive respiratory diseases (CORDs) are not supported by clinical evidence or lack clinical validation. The development of the knowledge base that will feed the clinical decision support system is a crucial step that involves the collection and systematization of clinical knowledge from relevant scientific sources and its representation in a human-understandable and computer-interpretable way. This work describes the development and initial validation of a clinical knowledge base that can be integrated into mHealth decision support systems developed for patients with CORDs. A multidisciplinary team of health care professionals with clinical experience in respiratory diseases, together with data science and IT professionals, defined a new framework that can be used in other evidence-based systems. The knowledge base development began with a thorough review of the relevant scientific sources (eg, disease guidelines) to identify the recommendations to be implemented in the decision support system based on a consensus process. Recommendations were selected according to predefined inclusion criteria: (1) applicable to individuals with CORDs or to prevent CORDs, (2) directed toward patient self-management, (3) targeting adults, and (4) within the scope of the knowledge domains and subdomains defined. Then, the selected recommendations were prioritized according to (1) a harmonized level of evidence (reconciled from different sources); (2) the scope of the source document (international was preferred); (3) the entity that issued the source document; (4) the operability of the recommendation; and (5) health care professionals’ perceptions of the relevance, potential impact, and reach of the recommendation. A total of 358 recommendations were selected. Next, the variables required to trigger those recommendations were defined (n=116) and operationalized into logical rules using Boolean logical operators (n=405). Finally, the knowledge base was implemented in an intelligent individualized coaching component and pretested with an asthma use case. Initial validation of the knowledge base was conducted internally using data from a population-based observational study of individuals with or without asthma or rhinitis. External validation of the appropriateness of the recommendations with the highest priority level was conducted independently by 4 physicians. In addition, a strategy for knowledge base updates, including an easy-to-use rules editor, was defined. Using this process, based on consensus and iterative improvement, we developed and conducted preliminary validation of a clinical knowledge base for CORDs that translates disease guidelines into personalized patient recommendations. The knowledge base can be used as part of mHealth decision support systems. This process could be replicated in other clinical areas.
- Real-time clinical decision support at the point of carePublication . Pereira, Ana Margarida; Jácome, Cristina; Amaral, Rita; Jacinto, Tiago; Fonseca, João A.This chapter starts by introducing the complex process of shared clinical decision-making, the value of incorporating patient-reported outcome measures into clinical decisions and the increasing usefulness of clinical decision support systems to enhance the quality and safety of healthcare. It then gives examples of three tools for clinical decision support at the point of care, which were designed to support health professionals and patients in the assessment, treatment and long-term management of chronic respiratory diseases.
- Symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with persistent asthma: a cross-sectional analysis of the INSPIRERS studiesPublication . Cunha, Mafalda Simões; Amaral, Rita; Pereira, Ana Margarida; Almeida, Rute; Alves-Correia, Magna; Loureiro, Cláudia Chaves; Lopes, Cristina; Carvalho, Joana; Ribeiro, Carmelita; Vidal, Carmen; Antolín-Amérigo, Dario; Pinto, Diana; Ferreira-Magalhães, Manuel; Vasconcelos, Maria João; Lozoya, Carlos; Santos, Natacha; Cardia, Francisca; Taborda-Barata, Luís; Ferreira, Rosário; Silva, Pedro Morais; Ferreira, Tania Monteiro; Câmara, Raquel; Silva, Eurico; Bordalo, Diana; Guimarães, Cristina; Calix, Maria José; Silva, Sofia da; Marques, Maria Luís; Morete, Ana; Nunes, Carlos; Vieira, Cláudia; Páscoa, Rosália; Alves, Adelaide; Marques, José Varanda; Reis, Bruno; Monteiro, Luís; Monteiro, Rosário; Cepa, Margarida; Valentim, Bruno; Coelho, Daniela Sousa; Fernandes, Sara; Meireles, Patrícia; Aguiar, Margarida Abreu; Mourão, Ana Rita; Fonseca, João A; Jácome, CristinaAnxiety and depression are relevant comorbidities in asthma, but, in Portugal and Spain, data on this topic are scarce. We assessed, in patients with asthma, the frequency of anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the European Quality of Life Five Dimension Questionnaire (EQ-5D); the level of agreement between these questionnaires, and the factors associated with these symptoms. This is a secondary analysis of the INSPIRERS studies. A total of 614 adolescents and adults with persistent asthma (32.6±16.9 years, 64.7% female) were recruited from 30 primary care centres and 32 allergy, pulmonology and paediatric clinics. Demographic and clinical characteristics, HADS and EQ-5D were collected. A score ≥8 on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety/Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression or a positive answer to EQ-5D item 5 indicated the presence of these symptoms. Agreement was determined by Cohen’s kappa. Two multivariable logistic regressions were built. According to HADS, 36% of the participants had symptoms of anxiety and 12% of depression. According to EQ-5D, 36% of the participants had anxiety/depression. The agreement between questionnaires in identifying anxiety/depression was moderate (k=0.55, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.62). Late asthma diagnosis, comorbidities and female gender were predictors of anxiety/depression, while better asthma control, health-related quality of life and perception of health were associated with lower odds for anxiety/depression. At least 1/3 of the patients with persistent asthma experience symptoms of anxiety/depression, showing the relevance of screening these disorders in patients with asthma. EQ-5D and HADS questionnaires showed a moderate agreement in the identification of anxiety/depression symptoms. The identified associated factors need to be further investigated in long-term studies.
- Understanding beliefs about inhaled medication in patients with persistent asthma: a cross-sectional analysis of the INSPIRERS studiesPublication . Novais, Catarina; Cruz, Ana Margarida; Pereira, Ana Margarida; Almeida, Rute; Amaral, Rita; Fonseca, João Almeida; Jácome, CristinaIdentifying factors influencing adherence, such as patients’ beliefs about medication, is essential for effective asthma management. This study aims to assess and gain insight into the beliefs of patients with asthma regarding inhaled medication. This is a secondary analysis of the INSPIRERS studies. Patients aged ≥ 13 y.o., with persistent asthma and a prescription for inhaled controller were recruited from 60 primary and secondary care centres in Portugal from 2017 to 2020. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected in a face-to-face visit. The Specific-Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire was administered 1-week later by telephone interview. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to explore relations between patients’ beliefs and characteristics. A total of 552 participants (mean 32.8 ± 17.3 y.o.; 64.5% female) were analysed. The Necessity score (Median 19 [p25-p75 16,22]) was significantly higher than the Concerns score (15 [16,22], p < 0.001), resulting in a positive Necessity-Concern differential (Median 4 [0,7]). Acceptance (high necessity, low concerns) characterized 61% of participants, while 19% were ambivalent (high necessity, high concerns). Adolescents exhibited lower Necessity (Median 16 vs 20; p < 0.001) and Concerns scores (Median 11 vs 15; p = 0.002) than adults. In primary care setting, patients had significantly lower Necessity (Median 18 vs 19; p = 0.027) and Concerns (Median 14 vs 15; p = 0.05) compared to the secondary care. A predominantly positive perception of inhaled asthma medication necessity was found, although ambivalence or indifference exists in about 1/5 of patients. Our findings highlight the importance of personalized approaches to address beliefs and optimise patient education.