Biomedical subjects

Laura Santos

Publications and source records attributed to Laura Santos.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Risk factors: definitions and practical implications.

The concept of the risk factor is nowadays absolutely central in clinical practice, especially in disease prevention. In this paper we present general definitions of risk factors and related concepts, the ways they strengthen each other and the possibility of modifying them for disease prevention. As well as stressing modification of individual risk factors, our aim was to draw attention to their true importance, the frequency with which they cluster (which complicates their management), their relationship with disease and the excellent results that can be obtained through primary prevention. Finally, we present the main cardiovascular risk factors: smoking, hypercholesterolemia, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

PubMed2005

Studies of harm. Clinical applications.

When a clinician institutes a therapy, he/she has to consider, besides its efficacy, the harm a substance that is foreign to the body may cause. Nowadays, with the number of drugs available, more and more iatrogenic events are occurring, to the extent that the term 'iatroepidemic' has been coined to describe the phenomenon. Harm can be assessed by experimental studies, but this design raises ethical as well as financial issues, so the best evidence is gathered from observational data, mainly case-control and cohort studies. In previous articles we discussed the methodology to evaluate therapeutic benefit. In this article we aim to review designs for determining harm.

Biomedical Research↗

PubMed2004

Randomization methods in clinical trials.

In recent times there has been an enormous growth in the number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Their importance for clinical practice is inarguable, so it is essential for the practitioner to acquire a basic knowledge of their methodology, in order to accurately evaluate this type of study. Randomization is a central concept, since it constitutes the basis for production of results that are valid, important and applicable. In this paper we set out to show the importance of randomization by explaining its basic concepts, its practical use, the different types available, and the best ways to put them into practice.

Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Periocular hemangiomas: what every physician should know.

Hemangiomas are the most common benign tumor of infancy. Most hemangiomas remain asymptomatic and can be managed by close observation; however, immediate treatment is indicated for hemangiomas that may cause significant complications. Periocular hemangiomas warrant close evaluation and early, active treatment of those with the potential to threaten or permanently compromise vision. Herein we review the clinical features of periocular hemangiomas, differential diagnosis, possible ophthalmologic complications and sequelae, and therapeutic modalities.

Amblyopia↗