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News Transthyretin – More Than a Thyroxine Transporter
Transthyretin (TTR) is an extracellular protein whose main role is to transport thyroxine and retinol in the body and brain. TTR tends to form amyloid deposits, which can lead to systemic disease known as TTR amyloidosis. Recently, it has been shown that this protein has a much wider spectrum of activities in the organism than previously thought.
News Current Insights into the Etiology of Community Pneumonia: Pneumococci Still Leading?
The etiology of community-acquired pneumonias has undergone certain changes since the beginning of the antibiotic era. According to current guidelines, it is still recommended to initiate empirical antibiotic therapy upon diagnosing community-acquired pneumonia. However, there are certain concerns associated with the recommendation of empirical antibiotic therapy, especially regarding the increasing occurrence of bacterial antibiotic resistance. The aim of the study presented below was to specify the most frequently isolated pathogens of community-acquired pneumonia between 1945 and 2020.
News Trazodone with Extended Release Improves Patient Compliance
Since 2015, the antidepressant trazodone is available in the Czech Republic in a controlled-release formulation. A sufficiently high plasma level for 24 hours without fluctuation allows for administration only once a day, while eliminating side effects.
News Benefit of Adding Erdosteine to Maintenance Treatment of COPD
Erdosteine is a mucoactive drug with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-adhesive effects against bacteria, commonly used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In August 2022, another post-hoc analysis of the RESTORE study was published, evaluating the impact of its addition to COPD maintenance treatment on the incidence and severity of exacerbations and quality of life in patients with GOLD2 and GOLD3 grade bronchial obstruction.
News How do IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors fare in the treatment of psoriasis in direct comparison?
A recent study published in the British Journal of Dermatology is only the second paper to provide a direct comparison of the efficacy and onset speed of treatment with IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The authors monitored the early response to treatment (at week 12), and the efficacy and safety of ixekizumab and guselkumab.
News Benefit of Oral Semaglutide for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in the General Practitioner's Office
Oral semaglutide is a modern antidiabetic suitable within primary care for people with type 2 diabetes, primarily due to its comprehensive action that includes not only reducing blood glucose and body weight but also a number of other favorable non-glycemic effects.
News Why Do Women in the USA Receive Indicated Statin Therapy Less and in Lower Doses Than Men?
Statin use has been proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in both men and women. However, women in the USA who are indicated for this treatment have historically taken it less frequently and in lower doses than men. The current status and possible causes were investigated by the study presented below.
News Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Non-specific Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Are Not Evolutionarily Related Diseases
The authors of the presented work attempted to compare the geographical distribution of irritable bowel syndrome and non-specific inflammatory bowel diseases and other factors related to these two diseases to reveal their potential evolutionary connection.
News Effectiveness and Safety of Initiating Treatment for Primary Immunodeficiency with Subcutaneously Administered Immunoglobulins – A Systematic Review of the Literature
The aim of the systematic review of the literature published last year was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of initiating treatment with subcutaneously administered immunoglobulins (SCIG) in patients with primary immunodeficiency (PID) who had not previously been treated with this modality. There was insufficient data available for such a defined population because SCIGs had typically been introduced into studies only after intravenously administered immunoglobulins (IVIG).
News The Importance of Hydration in Wound Healing
In response to skin injury, bodily processes initiate to restore the function of the skin barrier, minimize fluid loss, and ensure optimal hydration. Studies have shown that wounds maintained in a moist or hyperhydrated environment heal faster than those left to dry in the air. Research further suggests that the harmful effects of exudate in poorly healing wounds are not due to the water itself, but to the biological components contained in the exudate.
News Dabigatran vs. Warfarin: What and Why Do Patients Prefer?
The key to adherence to long-term anticoagulant therapy is primarily the satisfaction of patients with the set therapy. The RE-SONANCE study published in April 2021 compared patient satisfaction with anticoagulant treatment using the direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) dabigatran versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). What were the findings?
News Dust mite allergy is a significant risk factor (not only) for the development of asthma
Dust mite allergy is the most common cause of year-round allergic rhinitis in our country. Its prevalence is increasing every year, but non-specific manifestations also cause its underdiagnosis. Early initiation of treatment is crucial to prevent the development of complications.
News Clinical Significance of Smaller Gaps Between Strengths of Levothyroxine Preparations in the Treatment of Hypothyroidism
Many levothyroxine preparations have relatively large intervals between doses (25 µg, 50 µg, and 75 µg), creating obstacles for some patients to achieve an optimal maintenance dose. The availability of tablets that allow for dosing in between these values facilitates precise and effective titration of levothyroxine doses, especially at the lower end of the spectrum.
News Prevalence of Heart Failure and Its Subtypes in the Population of Developed Countries
In developed countries, heart failure occurs in approximately 2% of the population, with an annual incidence of 5-10/1000 inhabitants. The mortality rate for patients with chronic heart failure is 7.2% per year, and 31.9% of patients with heart failure are hospitalized annually. Portuguese authors attempted to assess the prevalence of heart failure and its subtypes in a population treated within one healthcare facility over 3 years.
News New Natural Method for Prevention and Treatment of House Dust Mite Allergy
House dust mites are among the most common triggers of respiratory allergies. Until now, therapy has primarily focused on alleviating allergy symptoms. The aim of the new natural-based method is to eliminate the etiology of the issues, specifically the house dust mites themselves.
News Early Intervention in the Early Phase of Psychosis
A meta-analysis of 10 randomized studies examined whether early intervention in the initial phase of psychosis in patients with schizophrenia is associated with better outcomes than usual care.
News Cardiovascular Safety of Tofacitinib in Real-World Clinical Practice – Results of the STAR-RA Study
Recent results from the ORAL Surveillance clinical trial have raised concerns about the cardiovascular adverse effects of tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A comprehensive analysis of real-world clinical practice data, involving nearly 13,000 patients, focused on the cardiovascular safety of tofacitinib for this indication.
News Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis – A Common Accompanying Infection in Patients with Severe or Critical Course of COVID-19
Findings based on a literature review conducted and published in September 2020 show the occurrence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in 19.6–33.3% of patients with a severe or critical course of COVID-19. The authors provide several important insights for clinical practice, including recommended management of therapy for these patients.
News The Benefit of Dabigatran Over Warfarin Is Greater in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Diabetes Than in Nondiabetics
As early as 2015, an analysis of the results of the RE-LY study in patients with atrial fibrillation showed that the reduction in absolute risk of embolic events with dabigatran compared to warfarin is greater in patients with diabetes than in those without diabetes.
News Safety and efficacy of dabigatran and other NOACs compared with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation – results of a large long-term prospective study
Anticoagulant therapy is key in the prevention of strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation. Until the introduction of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), warfarin was the first-choice drug for these patients, but unlike NOACs, it requires careful dose titration and effect monitoring. The safety and benefits of using various anticoagulants were examined in the study below.
News Patient with generalized malignant melanoma treated with nivolumab in the first line
A 75-year-old patient was referred for examination at the dermato-oncology clinic of the Dermatology Clinic of VFN in September 2016. He was being treated for ICHS and had undergone prostate surgery for hyperplasia in 2013.