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News Which Anticoagulant Treatment Do Patients Prefer?

For patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) for whom anticoagulant therapy is indicated for stroke prevention, good adherence to treatment is crucial. A recent study evaluated their perception of dabigatran treatment in comparison with vitamin K antagonists.

Source: Anticoagulant Treatment 28. 8. 2020

News Impact of Oral Antidiabetics on Heart Failure

Diabetes mellitus is primarily perceived as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease and general atherosclerotic complications. However, an equally significant problem is the association between diabetes and heart failure. This hypothesis is confirmed by the VALUE study, which primarily focused on arterial hypertension. Its results show that individuals with diabetes had a higher risk of heart failure compared to the risk of acute myocardial infarction.

Source: Diabetes 19. 1. 2020

News Panitumumab in 1st Line in Older Patients –⁠ Results of the PANDA Study

The phase II PANDA study evaluated the regimens FOLFOX + panitumumab versus 5-FU + panitumumab in the 1st line treatment of patients with wt-RAS/BRAF metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Source: Colorectal Cancer 22. 10. 2020

News Experiences with AHA in Two Czech Centers and Risk Factor Evaluation

This summer, the journal Haemophilia published the results of an analysis of data from a relatively large Czech cohort of patients with acquired hemophilia A (AHA). The goal was to identify risk factors associated with early death and AHA relapse. Additionally, the authors addressed the question of the effect of higher doses of corticosteroids on treatment outcomes and patient mortality.

Source: Hemophilia 18. 11. 2020

News COVID-19: Specifics of Care for Individuals with Congenital Bleeding Disorders

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted nearly all medical fields. Alongside direct care focused on seriously ill patients, the pandemic also affects the care of chronic patients, including those with hemophilia. However, there is currently not much specific data available regarding experiences with COVID-19 in patients with hemophilia. The specifics of congenital bleeding disorders, especially in relation to the severe course of COVID-19, are discussed by Italian authors in their article published in the journal Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis.

Source: Hemophilia 8. 2. 2021

News Brigatinib vs. Crizotinib in the Treatment of ALK-Positive NSCLC –⁠ Results of the Second Interim Analysis of the ALTA-1L Study

The anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor brigatinib demonstrated superiority over crizotinib in the first interim analysis of the ALTA-1L study in terms of progression-free survival and improvement in health-related quality of life in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement. The second interim analysis results published in 2020 confirm these primary findings.

Source: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer 15. 2. 2021

News Self-Administration of Romiplostim in Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia: Analysis of 3 Studies

A post hoc analysis of 3 clinical studies showed that in adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), self-administration of romiplostim achieves comparable efficacy and safety as when the drug is administered by a healthcare professional.

Source: Immune Thrombocytopenia 23. 2. 2021

News The Role of the Physiotherapist in the Management of Hemophilia –⁠ Defining a New Normal

Historically, the role of physiotherapy in hemophiliacs was primarily to assist patients who developed severe hemophilic arthropathies resulting from recurrent untreated or inadequately treated bleeding. Today, it has also shifted to prevention as such, although it still plays a role in significant joint bleeding or when a hemophiliac needs to undergo surgery.

Source: Hemophilia with Movement 25. 2. 2021

News Improvement of Physical Functions in Patients with COPD in Routine Clinical Practice Using the Fixed Combination of Tiotropium/Olodaterol

The increase in exercise capacity using the fixed combination of tiotropium and olodaterol in the Respimat inhaler has already been demonstrated in clinical studies for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Italian authors evaluated its benefit under real-world conditions and also focused on patient satisfaction with the inhaler.

Source: COPD 26. 2. 2021

News Thromboprophylaxis with Enoxaparin Reduces Mortality in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by COVID-19 is associated with a hypercoagulable state and an increased risk of thrombotic events. Since the beginning of the pandemic, thromboprophylaxis has been recommended for these patients despite initial insufficient evidence. In the fall of 2020, an observational study was published confirming the beneficial effect of enoxaparin on reducing mortality and the risk of ICU admission in patients with severe COVID-19.

Source: Thromboprophylaxis 11. 3. 2021

News Tolerability and Efficacy of Eye Drops with and without Preservatives −⁠ A Comparison in Routine Clinical Practice

Insufficient patient compliance due to intolerance of the ocular preparation is a major reason for changing treatment, such as switching to preservative-free drops. The aim of the international prospective and observational study was to assess the efficacy and local tolerability within a one-year therapy of preservative-free latanoprost compared to drops containing preservatives and to determine patient satisfaction at the midpoint of treatment. During the monitoring, 3 examinations were planned: one at the study entry and two follow-up visits (at 6 and 12 months).

Source: Treatment of Glaucoma 29. 6. 2020

News In vivo monitoring of corneal changes in patients treated with and without preservative-containing glaucoma medications

A study published last year by Italian authors monitored structural changes in the corneas of patients treated with preservative-free glaucoma medication for 3 years using confocal microscopy and compared them with changes observed in patients treated with preservative-containing medications.

Source: Treatment of Glaucoma 29. 6. 2020

News Incidence of Allergic Diseases in Children Probably Unrelated to Air Pollution

A recently published extensive meta-analysis of 7 cohorts of children aged 4 and 8 from 5 European countries investigated the relationship between air pollution at the child's place of residence and the incidence of allergic eczema, rhinoconjunctivitis, or asthma.

Source: Allergic Reactions 12. 6. 2020

News How to Communicate and Receive an Oncological Diagnosis

Communicating the truth about a patient's health condition does not have a very long tradition in the Czech Republic. The Czech healthcare system only began to emphasize this aspect, that is, honest and open communication between doctor and patient, several years after the Velvet Revolution.

Source: Lung Cancer 4. 6. 2020

News Can NOACs 'Compete' with Well-Managed Warfarin Treatment? Retrospective Data from Swedish Registers

The efficacy and safety of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation have been proven by numerous studies. The quality of warfarin treatment, assessed by the 'time in therapeutic range' (TTR), ranged between 55% and 65% in these studies. The work of Swedish authors provides a comparison of patients treated with NOACs to a group on warfarin whose average TTR reached 70%.

Source: Anticoagulant Treatment 17. 2. 2020