http://hdl.handle.net/10174/29513 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 19:31:41 GMT 2026-04-03T19:31:41Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41253 Title: Pharmaceutical consultation on patients receiving oral antineoplastic agents: a systematic review Authors: Fernandes, João; Advinha, Ana Margarida; Oliveira-Martins, Sofia Abstract: The management of oncological treatment has evolved substantially with the increasing use of oral antineoplastic agents, which are self-administered by patients or caregivers at home, and require careful monitoring and support. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmaceutical consultations on oncology patients undergoing therapy with oral antineoplastic agents. A systematic literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases with the last search on 5 June 2025. Primary observational or experimental studies were sought for inclusion. Eligible studies assessed the outcomes of pharmaceutical consultations for oncology patients receiving oral antineoplastic therapy in a hospital setting, compared with a conventional medication dispensing model. The risk of bias in the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tools, RoB-2 and ROBINS-I. The review was developed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 Statement, and the protocol for the systematic literature review was registered with PROSPERO under the reference CRD42024533367. From the 881 records initially identified, 16 studies were included. A backward reference search led to the inclusion of two additional publications, bringing the total to 18 studies in this systematic review. The main interventions performed by pharmacists during pharmaceutical consultations included patient education on their treatment, management of adverse reactions and drug interactions, and monitoring of adherence to therapy. The studies evaluated a total of 10 variables, demonstrating the benefits of pharmaceutical consultation in all of them. Significant benefits were observed in terms of progression-free survival and quality of life, both of which are crucial in cancer treatment. However, further research is required, particularly involving larger patient samples and studies spanning multiple institutions and countries. To facilitate a comprehensive and comparative evaluation of different pharmaceutical consultation models in oncology, it would be advantageous to standardise methods for assessing their impact. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41253 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41252 Title: Pharmacovigilance teaching and learning: a mixed cross-sectional analysis of the Portuguese public higher education system Authors: Perdigão, Margarida; Afonso, Anabela; Oliveira-Martins, Sofia; Lopes, Manuel José; Advinha, Ana Margarida Abstract: Pharmacovigilance stands out for its importance in obtaining existing knowledge about medicine and patient safety and should be recognized as a continuous line of study. It constitutes a highly relevant component in the activities of health professionals, with spontaneous notification of suspected adverse drug reactions being its main emphasis. The underreporting that persists can be overcome through continuous professional development programs, reinforcing theoretical and practical knowledge in the curricular plans of health courses. As a result, more educated professionals will also allow citizens to recognize the importance of pharmacovigilance. The main objective of this study was to describe and characterize the teaching-learning process of pharmacovigilance in Portugal, analyzing the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of students and health professionals. In total, ninety-three curricular unit forms of the seventeen healthcare courses included were analyzed, among which only three referred to pharmacovigilance as mandatory and thirty-nine did not address any keywords. The questionnaire applied was answered by 650 participants, both students (62%) and professionals (38%). Approximately 84.4% of the students and 54.7% of the professionals affirmed that they had never spontaneously reported an adverse drug reaction. Only 24.6% of the students and 17.8% of professionals referred to the existence of specific course content dedicated to pharmacovigilance in their coursework. In view of these results, it is evident that there is a need for a wider reflection regarding the further training and constant update of practicing professionals as well as in diverse health institutions, investing in the creation of an academic curriculum that integrates pharmacovigilance in healthcare courses. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41252 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41246 Title: Food–drug interactions risk management: An emergent piece of pharmacovigilance systems Authors: Advinha, Ana Margarida; Fernandes, João Pedro; Perdigão, Margarida Abstract: Food–drug interactions risk management: An emergent piece of pharmacovigilance systems Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41246 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41243 Title: Clostridioides difficile Infection in Hospitalized Patients-A Retrospective Epidemiological Study Authors: Fonseca, Frederico; Forrester, Mário; Advinha, Ana Margarida; Coutinho, Adriana; Landeira, Nuno; Pereira, Maria Luísa Abstract: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the main source of healthcare and antibiotic-associated diarrhea in hospital context and long-term care units, showing significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological context, describing the severity and outcomes of this event in patients admitted to our hospital, thus confirming the changing global epidemiological trends in comparison with other cohorts. We conducted a single-center, observational, and retrospective study at the Hospital do Espírito Santo (HESE), Évora, in Portugal, analyzing the incidence of CDI in patients meeting eligibility criteria from January to December 2018. During this period, an annual incidence rate of 20.7 cases per 10,000 patients was documented. The studied population average age was 76.4 ± 12.9 years, 83.3% over 65. Most episodes were healthcare-acquired, all occurring in patients presenting multiple risk factors, with recent antibiotic consumption being the most common. Regarding severity, 23.3% of cases were classified as severe episodes. Recurrences affected 16.7% of participants, predominantly female patients over 80 years old, all of whom were healthcare-acquired. Mortality rate was disproportionately high among the older population. Our investigation documented an overall incidence rate of over 10.4-fold the number of cases identified in the year 2000 at the same hospital, more recently and drastically, in community-associated episodes. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41243 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z