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Publications

Publications by Pedro Pereira Rodrigues

2023

Automatic Delta-Adjustment Method Applied to Missing Not At Random Imputation

Authors
Pereira, RC; Rodrigues, PP; Figueiredo, MAT; Abreu, PH;

Publication
Computational Science - ICCS 2023 - 23rd International Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, July 3-5, 2023, Proceedings, Part I

Abstract

2023

Siamese Autoencoder-Based Approach for Missing Data Imputation

Authors
Pereira, RC; Abreu, PH; Rodrigues, PP;

Publication
Computational Science - ICCS 2023 - 23rd International Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, July 3-5, 2023, Proceedings, Part I

Abstract

2023

Improving the quality of life of parents of patients with congenital abnormalities using psychoeducational interventions: a systematic review

Authors
Rodrigues, MG; Rodrigues, JD; Soares, MM; Azevedo, LF; Rodrigues, PP; Areias, JC; Areias, ME;

Publication
QUALITY OF LIFE RESEARCH

Abstract
PurposeTo identify psychoeducational interventions that target parents of children with congenital abnormalities (CA) and evaluate their impact on quality of life (QoL).MethodsThe search was conducted in six electronic databases, complemented by references of the studies found, studies of evidence synthesis, a manual search of relevant scientific meetings' abstracts and contact with experts. We included primary studies on parents of children with CA that studied psychoeducational interventions versus standard care. We assessed the risk of bias using Cochrane Collaboration's tool.ResultsWe included six studies focusing on congenital heart defects (CHD). They described four different psychoeducational strategies. In four studies, statistically significant differences were found. For clinical practice, we considered three interventions as more feasible: the Educational program for mothers, with a group format of four sessions weekly; CHIP-Family intervention, which includes a parental group workshop followed by an individual follow-up booster session; and WeChat educational health program with an online format.ConclusionsThis review is the first that assesses the impact of psychoeducational interventions targeted at parents of children with CA on their QoL. The best approach to intervention is multiple group sessions. Two essential strategies were to give support material, enabling parents to review, and the possibility of an online program application, increasing accessibility. However, because all included studies focus on CHD, generalizations should be made carefully. These findings are crucial to guide future research to promote and improve comprehensive and structured support for families and integrate them into daily practice.

2023

The Role of Novel Digital Clinical Tools in the Screening or Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Systematic Review

Authors
Duarte, M; Pereira Rodrigues, P; Ferreira Santos, D;

Publication
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH

Abstract
Background: Digital clinical tools are a new technology that can be used in the screening or diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), notwithstanding the crucial role of polysomnography, the gold standard.Objective: This study aimed to identify, gather, and analyze the most accurate digital tools and smartphone-based health platforms used for OSA screening or diagnosis in the adult population. Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies evaluating the validity of digital tools in OSA screening or diagnosis until November 2022. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool for diagnostic test accuracy studies. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) were used as discrimination measures.Results: We retrieved 1714 articles, 41 (2.39%) of which were included in the study. From these 41 articles, we found 7 (17%) smartphone-based tools, 10 (24%) wearables, 11 (27%) bed or mattress sensors, 5 (12%) nasal airflow devices, and 8 (20%) other sensors that did not fit the previous categories. Only 8 (20%) of the 41 studies performed external validation of the developed tool. Of these, the highest reported values for AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.99, 96%, and 92%, respectively, for a clinical cutoff of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)& GE;30. These values correspond to a noncontact audio recorder that records sleep sounds, which are then analyzed by a deep learning technique that automatically detects sleep apnea events, calculates the AHI, and identifies OSA. Looking at the studies that only internally validated their models, the work that reported the highest accuracy measures showed AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 1.00, 100%, and 96%, respectively, for a clinical cutoff AHI & GE;30. It uses the Sonomat-a foam mattress that, aside from recording breath sounds, has pressure sensors that generate voltage when deformed, thus detecting respiratory movements, and uses it to classify OSA events.Conclusions: These clinical tools presented promising results with high discrimination measures (best results reached AUC>0.99). However, there is still a need for quality studies comparing the developed tools with the gold standard and validating them in external populations and other environments before they can be used in clinical settings.

2023

The role of novel clinical digital tools in the screening or diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea – A systematic review (Preprint)

Authors
Duarte, M; Pereira-Rodrigues, P; Ferreira-Santos, D;

Publication

Abstract
BACKGROUND

Clinical digital tools are an up-and-coming new technology that can be used in the screening or diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, notwithstanding the crucial role of polysomnography (PSG) – the gold standard.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to identify, gather, and analyze existing digital tools and smartphone-based health platforms that are being used for this disease’s screening or diagnosis in the adult population.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive literature search in MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies evaluating the validity of digital tools in OSA screening or diagnosis until November 2022. The risk of bias was assessed using JBI Critical Appraisal Tool for Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver-operating curve (AUC) were used as discrimination measures.

RESULTS

We retrieved 1714 articles, 41 of which were included. We found 7 smartphone-based tools, 10 wearables, 11 bed/mattress sensors, 5 nasal airflow devices, and 8 other sensors that did not fit the previous categories. Only 8 (20%) studies performed external validation of their developed tool. Of those, the highest reported values for AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.99, 96%, and 92%, respectively, for a clinical cutoff of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) = 30 and correspond to a non-contact audio recorder that records sleep sounds, which are then analyzed by a deep learning technique that automatically detects sleep apnea events, calculates the AHI, and identifies OSA. Looking at the studies that only internally validated their models, the work that reported the highest accuracy measures showed AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 1.00, 100%, and 96%, respectively, for a clinical cutoff AHI = 30. It uses the Sonomat – a foam mattress that, aside from recording breath sounds, has pressure sensors that generate voltage when deformed, thus detecting respiratory movements, and using it to classify OSA events.

CONCLUSIONS

These clinical tools presented promising results, showing high discrimination measures (best results reaching AUC > 0.99). However, there is still a need for quality studies, comparing the developed tools with the gold standard and validating them in external populations and other environments before they can be used in a clinical setting.

CLINICALTRIAL

This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO under reference CRD42023387748.

2023

Effectiveness of Secondary Risk-Reducing Strategies in Patients With Unilateral Breast Cancer With Pathogenic Variants of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Subjected to Breast-Conserving Surgery: Evidence-Based Simulation Study (vol 12, e37177, 2022)

Authors
Maksimenko, J; Rodrigues, PP; Nakazawa-Miklasevica, M; Pinto, D; Miklasevics, E; Trofimovics, G; Gardovskis, J; Cardoso, F; Cardoso, MJ;

Publication
JMIR FORMATIVE RESEARCH

Abstract

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