Este relatório de estágio foi desenvolvido no âmbito da conclusão do Mestrado Integrado em Ciências Farmacêuticas da Universidade da Beira Interior, estruturado em três capítulos: Capítulo I – O Isolamento Social e o Consumo de Benzodiazepinas na Cidade de Castelo Branco; Capítulo II – Relatório de Estágio em Farmácia Comunitária; Capítulo III – Relatório de Estágio em Farmácia Hospitalar. No que respeita à componente de investigação, esta teve como objetivo principal avaliar a relação entre o isolamento social e o consumo de benzodiazepinas entre os residentes adultos da cidade de Castelo Branco, utentes de farmácias comunitárias. Como objetivos secundários definiram-se: estimar a prevalência do isolamento social e consumo de benzodiazepinas e comparar os níveis de ambas as variáveis com as caraterísticas sociodemográficas. Para alcançar estes objetivos foram conduzidos dois estudos: um estudo epidemiológico transversal, com uma amostra de 285 participantes, destinado a estimar a prevalência das variáveis em análise, e um estudo caso-controlo com 90 participantes, distribuídos entre o grupo dos casos (consumidores de benzodiazepinas) e o grupo dos controlos (não consumidores de benzodiazepinas). A recolha de dados teve como base um inquérito realizado em duas farmácias comunitárias da cidade. O questionário era composto por três partes: Parte I – Caraterização sociodemográfica; Parte II – Avaliação do isolamento social; Parte III – Avaliação do consumo de benzodiazepinas. Os principais resultados revelaram que 15,8% dos participantes consumiam benzodiazepinas; 7,4% encontravam-se em isolamento social e 37,9% em risco de isolamento social. Observou-se associação do isolamento social com a proximidade a familiares/amigos, situação profissional, estado civil e estado de coabitação. O consumo de benzodiazepinas associou-se, principalmente, à idade e ao estado de coabitação. No estudo caso-controlo, os participantes não consumidores de benzodiazepinas apresentaram uma menor perceção de isolamento social, enquanto os consumidores de benzodiazepinas evidenciaram maior tendência para isolamento, embora as associações não tenham sido estatisticamente significativas. O Capítulo II descreve o meu estágio em farmácia comunitária, realizado na Farmácia Ferrer em Castelo Branco, sob orientação da Dra. Sílvia Rodrigues, Diretora Técnica. Ao longo das doze semanas de estágio - de 3 de fevereiro a 24 de abril de 2025 – tive oportunidade de entender como funciona o dia a dia numa farmácia comunitária e adquirir algumas competências, desde o conhecimento de vários medicamentos como de interagir com os utentes. O Capítulo III, apresenta o meu estágio em Farmácia Hospitalar nos Serviços Farmacêuticos do Hospital Amato Lusitano em Castelo Branco, sob supervisão da Dra. Sandra Queimado, Diretora Técnica. Este estágio decorreu ao longo de oito semanas - de 28 de abril a 20 de junho de 2025 – abrangendo diversas áreas da prática farmacêutica hospitalar e permitindo a integração nas atividades desenvolvidas pela equipa de profissionais de saúde.

Background: Epidemiological data have shown that the prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in children is still increasing, namely in Africa. However, there are no epidemiological studies on asthma or allergic diseases in Angolan children. Objective: To study the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases in Angolan children. Methods: Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study, using the ISAAC study methodology, in the province of Luanda, Angola in 6-7-yearold children. Forty-six (8.3%) public schools were randomly selected. Data were analysed using the SPSS Statistics version 24.0 software. Results: A total of 3080 children were studied. Results showed that the prevalence of asthma (wheezing in the previous 12 months) was 15.8%, that of rhinitis (sneezing, runny or blocked nose in the previous 12 months) was 19% and that of eczema (itchy skin lesions in the previous 12 months) was 22%, without differences between sexes. Rhinitis was associated with a higher number of episodes of wheezing episodes, disturbed sleep and night cough, in children with asthma. Rhinitis, eczema, Split-type air conditioning system, antibiotic intake in the child's first year of life, frequent intake (more than once per month) of paracetamol and active maternal smoking were associated with a higher risk of having asthma, whereas electrical cooking was associated with a protective effect. Conclusion: Asthma and allergic diseases are highly prevalent in children from Luanda. A strategy for preventive and control measures should be implemented.

Asthma is a heterogeneous chronic inflammatory condition characterised by reversible airway obstruction and hyperresponsiveness associated with underlying bronchial inflammation and structural changes. It represents an increasing health problem and is a huge burden on the patients, their families and society. The aim of the study was to characterise the adult asthmatic population attending a Hospital Allergy Clinic between the years of 2003 and 2006.

Background: Rhinitis prevalence is increasing worldwide and is frequently associated with asthma, for which it is a risk factor. The aims of the study were to characterise the adult population with rhinitis attending the Cova da Beira Hospital Allergy Clinic, and to assess the relationship between rhinitis and asthma. Methods: In total, 686 patients were characterised by clinical history and anterior rhinoscopy, and classified according to international guidelines. Atopy was determined by skin prick testing to aeroallergens and quantification of specific IgE. Results: Seventy two percent of patients had allergic rhinitis (AR), and 28% had non-allergic rhinitis (NAR). NAR was more frequently associated with older age, perennial symptoms and female gender. NAR patients more frequently had bronchial asthma. In addition, more NAR than AR patients also had drug allergy, pharyngitis, sinusitis and urticaria. AR patients with nasal polyps more frequently had asthma. Grass pollen and mites were the major sensitisers for AR patients. Sensitisation profiles were not significantly different between urban- and ruralbased AR patients. Conclusions: Asthma was more frequently associated with non-allergic than with allergic rhinitis. The two types of rhinitis did not differ in clinical severity. Although sensitisation profiles were not different between the urban and rural patients, allergic rhinitis prevalence was higher in urban patients.

Introduction COPD is a common worldwide condition associated with morbidity and mortality. Its symptoms can be easily overlooked, accounting for an elevated level of under-recognition and under-diagnosis. Knowledge of the prevalence of COPD and the significance of its associated factors in the population enables better management of medical resources. To establish the prevalence of COPD in General Practice patients in the Central Region of Portugal and analyze the correlation with associated factors. Material and methods Cross-sectional study of patients’ data with COPD (R95, International Classification for Primary Care 2), anonymously gathered from the official database of the Central Health Administration of Portugal. Results Out of 937,817 individuals, 24,148 patients were identified with COPD, a prevalence of 2.57/100,000. 73.7% were above 65 years of age, and 60.2% were males. BMI was recorded in 60.2% patients, FEV1(%) in 8.0%, and smoking pack-years in 37.1%. Age and BMI were significantly negatively correlated (ρ = -0.032, p < 0.001), with the same occurring between age and FEV1(%) (ρ = -0.073, p < 0.05). A strong association of COPD with male gender and older age groups was found. Conclusions The prevalence of COPD was significantly higher in males, and age was identified as a risk factor for this condition. Higher age was non-significantly associated with lower FEV1(%) and significantly associated with BMI. The lack of e-records calls for an improvement.

SETTING: The few epidemiological studies on asthma and allergic diseases performed in Africa have shown that the prevalence of these diseases is high or increasing. No such studies have been performed in Angola. OBJECTIVE : To determine the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases in Angolan adolescents. DESIGN: This was a descriptive, observational, crosssectional study in the province of Luanda, Angola, using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood study methodology in adolescents aged 13 and 14 years. Twenty-three (12%) public schools were randomly selected. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22.0 software. RESULTS : A total of 3128 adolescents were included. The prevalence of asthma (wheezing in the previous 12 months) was 13.4%. The prevalence of rhinitis (sneezing, runny or blocked nose in the previous 12 months) was 27% and that of eczema (itchy skin lesions in the previous 12 months) was 20%; both were more prevalent in girls. Rhinitis was associated with a greater number of episodes of night cough in adolescents with asthma. Rhinitis and eczema, a split-type air conditioning system, and frequent intake (more than once per month) of paracetamol were associated with a higher risk of having asthma. CONCLUSION: Asthma and related allergic diseases are a public health problem in adolescents from Luanda. Preventive and control measures should be implemented.

The prevalence of adverse food reactions (AFR) has been increasing in the western world. Clinical manifestations are diversified and it may not be possible to clinically discriminate between IgE and non-IgE mediated AFR. In Portugal, the prevalence of AFR and food allergies in children is not known. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of AFR in central Portugal.

There is increasing evidence that in humans the adaptive immunological system can influence cognitive functions of the brain. We have undertaken a comprehensive immunological analysis of lymphocyte and monocyte populations as well as of HLA molecules expression in a cohort of elderly volunteers (age range, 64-101) differing in their cognitive status. Hereby, we report on the identification of a novel signature in cognitively impaired elderly characterized by: (1) elevated percentages of CD8+ T effector-memory cells expressing high levels of the CD45RA phosphate receptor (Temra hi); (2) high percentages of CD8+ T cells expressing high levels of the CD8β chain (CD8βhi); (3) augmented production of IFNγ by in vitro activated CD4+ T cells. Noteworthy, CD3+CD8+ Temra hi and CD3+CD8βhi cells were associated with impaired cognition. Cytomegalovirus seroprevalence showed that all volunteers studied but one were CMV positive. Finally, we show that some of these phenotypic and functional features are associated with an increased frequency of the HLA-B8 serotype, which belongs to the ancestral haplotype HLA-A1, Cw7, B8, DR3, DQ2, among cognitively impaired volunteers. To our knowledge, this is the first proof in humans linking the amount of cell surface CD45RA and CD8β chain expressed by CD8+ Temra cells, and the amount of IFNγ produced by in vitro activated CD4+ T cells, with impaired cognitive function in the elderly.

Background: Suicidal behavior among medical students is a critical public health concern, yet research in Portugal remains scarce. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of suicidal behavior among Portuguese medical students and identify associated risk and protective factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students from seven Portuguese medical schools. Participants (n=638) were surveyed via validated instruments to assess suicidal behavior, childhood trauma, social support and mental health status, along with a sociodemographic questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses identified independent predictors of suicide risk. Results: A total of 638 students participated (Mage=22.4 SDage=3.3; 77.3% cis-gender female) in the study, with 43.9% (n = 278) classified as high risk for suicide (SBQ-R = 7). Suicidal ideation in the past year was reported by 31.7% (n = 202), and 2.7% (n = 17) attempted suicide. Independent risk factors included adverse childhood experiences (OR = 1.265, 95% CI: 1.088–1.471, p = 0.002), experiencing a serious illness or accident of a close person (OR = 2.167, 95% CI: 1.290–3.638, p = 0.003), and lack of psychiatric care (OR = 4.073, 95% CI: 2.524–6.573, p < 0.001). Protective factors included higher perceived social support (OR = 0.439, 95% CI: 0.332–0.581, p < 0.001) and better mental health status (OR = 0.962, 95% CI: 0.950–0.974, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Portuguese medical students exhibit a high prevalence of suicidal behavior, associated with multiple risk and protective factors. Lack of psychiatric care, adverse childhood experiences, and acute life stressors were key predictors of suicidality, while strong social support emerged as the strongest protective factor. The identification of predictive factors of suicidal behavior allows for early interventions of at-risk students and targeted prevention efforts. A medical education framework that prioritizes both academic excellence and student well-being is crucial to fostering a healthier learning environment.

Arcobacter is a group of bacteria widely distributed in several habitats and throughout the food chain. Considering the pathogenic potential of some species within this group, it is important to understand their distribution along the food chain, as well as the possible routes of transmission. Aiming this, a systematic review and meta-analysis-based method was used to investigate the prevalence of Arcobacter species throughout the food chain, from farm to fork, using the worldwide available data. Database search was performed using related keywords and considering studies up to March 2020. The pooled prevalence of Arcobacter in food chain was 30% (0.300; 95% CI: 0.262–0.342), ranging from 0.5 to 99.4%. The highest prevalence of Arcobacter was observed in Belgium (0.575; 95% CI:0.427–0.710) and the lower in Ireland (0.031; 95% CI:0.022–0.042). Oceania continent (0.409; 95% CI:0.173–0.697) and the countries with high income level (0.342; 95% CI:0.293–0.394) presented the highest prevalence when considering the analysis of subgroups. Arcobacter spp. presented the highest prevalence at the processing stage (0.335; 95% CI:0.270–0.406), when compared with primary and retail stage. Also, data points to the relevance of environmental sources in food contamination. Arcobacter seems to be more frequently found in animal origin products, with the highest prevalence observed for poultry-associated products (0.404; 95% CI: 0.338–0.473), being Arcobacter butzleri the most frequently found species. The results of this meta-analysis highlight the high prevalence and distribution of Arcobacter along the food chain, suggesting a high risk to human health, and the relevance of taking preventive actions in order to reduce the burden of this pathogen in food sector.