Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological, chronic, inflammatory, and progressive disease with musculoskeletal problems and neurodegenerative disorders that causes worsening of the health status of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the level of depression in MS patients compared to a population of healthy subjects. The established sample size was 116 subjects matched with the same age, sex, and body mass index. The subjects were recruited from different multiple sclerosis associations and neurology clinics in different public health areas (case group n = 58) and healthy subjects from the same locality (control group n = 58). The scores and categories of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in its Spanish version were collected. There was a clear statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the BDI scores between both groups. As a result, we found that the subjects with MS presented worse results with BDI = 9.52 ± 7.70 points compared to the healthy subjects with a BDI score = 5.03 ± 5.14. Within the BDI categories, there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.001), which were greater for the MS group. Depression is a dangerous factor for MS patients, being a trigger for a poorer quality of life.

Fear of movement or kinesiophobia is an irrational fear of physical movement and fatigue that causes a limitation of functional capacity and decreased physical activity. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the level of kinesiophobia in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and compare it with a group of healthy people, through the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia with 11 items (TSK-11). Method: A total of 116 subjects were recruited in a multicenter case-control study; 58 subjects suffered from MS and 58 were healthy subjects from different associations and the same locality. To assess the levels of fear of movement, the Spanish version of the TSK-11 self-questionnaire was used. Results: Most pwMS suffer from some degree of kinesiophobia (TSK-11 ≥ 18), and 60.3% had moderate to maximum kinesiophobia scores (TSK-11 ≥ 25). In contrast, healthy subjects presented a percentage of kinesiophobia from none to moderate (82.7%). Conclusions: Kinesiophobia is higher in pwMS than in the healthy control group. Accordingly, individuals showing pwMS should be assessed and monitored in order to diagnosed initial kinesiophobia levels, to allow planning treatment and preventive care activities that may improve the foot health and overall health in this group of patients.

Indoor radon exposure is raising concerns due to its impact on health, namely its known relationship with lung cancer. Consequently, there is an urgent need to understand the risk factors associated with radon exposure, and how this can be harmful to the health of exposed populations. This article presents a comprehensive review of studies indicating a correlation between indoor radon exposure and the higher probability of occurrence of health problems in exposed populations. The analyzed studies statistically justify this correlation between exposure to indoor radon and the incidence of lung diseases in regions where concentrations are particularly high. However, some studies also showed that even in situations where indoor radon concentrations are lower, can be found a tendency, albeit smaller, for the occurrence of negative impacts on lung cancer incidence. Lastly, regarding risk remediation, an analysis has been conducted and presented in two core perspectives: (i) focusing on the identification and application of corrective measures in pre-existing buildings, and (ii) focusing on the implementation of preventive measures during the project design and before construction, both focusing on mitigating negative impacts of indoor radon exposure on the health of populations.

Introdução: O sucesso desmame ventilatório é fundamental, traduzindo-se na redução do tempo de internamento nas Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI), na minimização das sequelas da ventilação mecânica e na maximização da qualidade de vida, onde o Enfermeiro de Reabilitação (ER) assume um papel fundamental. Metodologia: Estudo qualitativo, descritivo, exploratório. Participaram todos os ER (4)a exercer funções numa UCI da ARS Norte. Recorreu-se à entrevista semiestruturada e à observação não participada sistemática, após a qual se efetuou análise de conteúdo e cruzamento dos dados colhidos nas entrevistas e na observação. O objetivo é conhecer a perceção dos ER no desmame ventilatório. Resultados: A reabilitação motora, respiratória e a avaliação da pessoa são intervenções identificadas pelos ER no cuidado à pessoa em desmame ventilatório, as quais devem ser iniciadas precocemente. As dificuldades identificadas prendem-se com a falta de material, ausência de um protocolo de desmame ventilatório, défice de interação entre a equipa e défice na continuidade de cuidados Discussão: A intervenção do ER na pessoa em desmame ventilatório traduz-se em ganhos positivos tais como  a minimização das sequelas da imobilidade, o aumento da força muscular, a capacitação para a autonomia e o célere desmame ventilatório. A elaboração de um instrumento de avaliação estruturado e sistematizado são elementos fulcrais neste processo Conclusão: O desmame ventilatório é um processo muito específico onde a intervenção do ER requer a aquisição e desenvolvimento de competências muito próprias. Destaca-se aormação especializada, formação contínua e no reconhecimento de experiências em realidades semelhantes.