The ongoing debate about changing the approach to treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) from an escalation strategy to the early implementation of highly effective therapy (HET) is based on the documented high inflammatory activity of the disease in its early stages and the concept of a therapeutic window for its suppression shortly after diagnosis. We bring you a summary of several recent pieces of information about the benefits and safety of HET as an initial treatment for RRMS.

The simple, validated H₂FPEF scoring system based on clinical and echocardiographic parameters, developed by experts from the Mayo Clinic, allows the differentiation of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) from dyspnea of other etiologies and helps decide whether further examinations are necessary. The score can be calculated online and in the Czech language.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a global issue. Does it create the same burden everywhere? How does it contribute to premature deaths? How do women cope with COPD, and what significant problem does it pose for them? What factors contribute to it not being considered solely a smoker's disease? Why is it appropriate to add mucoactive agents when trying to eliminate COPD exacerbations? What emerged from early COPD screening conducted in the Czech Republic, and what do Czech real-world data show regarding the effectiveness of erdosteine in exacerbations? And what should be included in the proper diagnosis and treatment of this disease? All these topics were covered in a lecture by the head of the Pulmonary Clinic of the Medical Faculty of Charles University and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Associate Professor Vladimír Koblížek, M.D., Ph.D., during the XXVIII Hradec Pneumology Days held from April 24-26, 2024.

The American Heart Association (AHA) report provides an updated summary of knowledge on the safety of statin use. Despite warnings appearing in professional literature and general media, it assures that statins are an effective and safe modality for treating hypercholesterolemia.

According to the 2022 opinion of the ESCEO (European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases) working group, it is advisable to identify patients with osteoporosis who have a very high risk of fracture and to use an anabolic antiosteoporotic drug as the initial pharmacotherapeutic intervention, followed by necessary antiresorptive treatment to be addressed over the entire expected length of life.

Bipolar disorder is among the most severe psychiatric illnesses, and if not treated properly, it can negatively affect the patient's quality of life. Does switching therapy from other valproates to Depakine Chrono lead to better outcomes in treating this disease? The following study aimed to find the answer to this question.

Treatment-resistant schizophrenia remains a clinical and pharmacological challenge. Clozapine remains the gold standard in these cases. Unfortunately, a significant portion of patients respond only partially to it. The solution is often an augmentation strategy with another atypical antipsychotic. According to current findings, adjunctive therapy with lurasidone appears promising —⁠ two recently published studies have brought interesting data.

General practitioners often encounter peripheral neuropathic pain in their practice. One of the primary modalities for treating both painful diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia is gabapentinoids, specifically gabapentin and pregabalin. Are these substances completely interchangeable, or do their efficacy and practical application differ?

Recent study results suggest that transthyretin amyloidosis is a more common cause of heart failure than previously thought. Early diagnosis and subsequent therapy are key to improving patient prognosis. A comprehensive study evaluating data from the Danish population registry suggests that carpal tunnel syndrome may be one of the initial symptoms of the disease.

Chronic ulcers on the lower extremities are defined as trophic defects that show no signs of healing after 3 months of appropriate treatment or are not healed even after 12 months of treatment. Their incidence and prevalence are continuously increasing, and they currently represent not only a serious medical problem but also a socioeconomic issue. An overview article published by German physicians focuses on summarizing the therapy of leg ulcers according to the principles of evidence-based medicine.

Critically ill patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) require nutritional support to maintain adequate energy intake. Only by doing so can their clinical condition be prevented from worsening. Therefore, we summarize the current recommendations regarding nutritional therapy as part of care in the ICU in the following text.

The efficacy of pregabalin in patients with postherpetic neuralgia has been demonstrated in 4 multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled studies.

Pregabalin appears to be an effective aid in patients with postherpetic neuralgia. This is evidenced by numerous clinical studies comparing the effects of pregabalin and gabapentin. It can be expected to alleviate painful symptoms and improve sleep quality, thereby significantly enhancing patients' quality of life.