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News How did alemtuzumab fare in real clinical practice?
A study published by authors from the University of Massachusetts in January this year in the journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders focused on the effectiveness and safety of alemtuzumab. How did it fare in real clinical practice?
News Monocyte Distribution Width as an Early Indicator of Sepsis in ICU Patients
Authors of a Franco-Spanish study propose using the monocyte distribution width along with leukocyte count as a screening test to refine the early diagnosis of sepsis in intensive care unit (ICU) patients based on their research findings.
News Economic Burden and Loss of Quality of Life as a Consequence of Dry Eye Syndrome
Canadian authors evaluated the direct and indirect financial costs associated with dry eye syndrome (DED − dry eye disease) and the impact of this condition on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The results were stratified according to the severity of the condition. The most significant was the loss of work productivity, highlighting the need for adequate solutions for DED.
News Safe Long-term Treatment of Nasal Symptoms in Patients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis
In persistent allergic rhinitis, achieving symptom control is often difficult despite pharmacological treatment and minimizing contact with the allergen. Good efficacy in clinical studies has been shown with combined therapy of intranasal antihistamines with locally acting corticosteroids. The presented study evaluated the long-term safety profile and efficacy of a fixed combination of olopatadine with mometasone.
News Programmed Cell Death as a Therapeutic Target in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
One of the key steps in malignant transformation is the disruption of apoptosis. Tumor cells exploit a variety of mechanisms that allow them to evade programmed cell death. Among the drugs targeting apoptosis pathway regulators is venetoclax, a Bcl-2 protein inhibitor used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Since August 2021, venetoclax in combination with obinutuzumab can newly be used as a reimbursed therapy for previously untreated patients with CLL who are not suitable for fludarabine administration.
News Benefit of Maintenance Therapy with Olaparib in Newly Diagnosed Advanced Ovarian Cancer
The SOLO-1 study evaluated whether the use of the PARP inhibitor olaparib in the maintenance treatment of patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer with BRCA 1/2 mutation leads to an improved prognosis for these patients.
News Diabetic Retinopathy: A Blind Diabetic as Proof of Serious Neglect of Prevention
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in working-age patients in developed countries. Early detection of diabetic retinopathy offers a chance to preserve vision. Therefore, careful screening and timely initiation of treatment are crucial.
News The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment of AATD in Preventing Pulmonary Emphysema
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a risk factor for the development of various diseases, including pulmonary emphysema. Currently, it is significantly underdiagnosed, and the availability of effective treatment is a reason for conducting its screening. The Czech Pneumological and Phthisiological Society ČLS JEP (ČPFS) recommends examining AAT levels in all patients with irreversible obstructive ventilatory disorders of any origin, direct relatives of patients with AATD, and individuals with chronic liver disease of unclear origin. The RAPID-OLE study has shown that treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency modifies the course of this disease and underscores the importance of early intervention.
News ESC 2022: Initiating Gliflozin in HFpEF During Hospitalization Can Benefit the Patient. This is Also Evidenced by Experience from the USA
Based on evidence from clinical studies, gliflozins are currently being introduced into practice for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as early as hospitalization. Sharing experiences is therefore very valuable. Several symposia at the ESC 2022 congress focused on the issue of introducing these drugs into HF treatment, some of which also included illustrative case studies. For example, the case of a patient with HFpEF from the USA demonstrated the early initiation of empagliflozin during hospitalization.
News Identification of patients with advanced Parkinson's disease suitable for device-aided therapy (DAT)
To properly implement device-aided therapy in Parkinson's disease (PD) management, it is essential to timely identify patients in advanced stages of the disease who might benefit from this therapeutic approach. We summarize the useful tools that doctors can use to find these patients.
News Treatment of a patient with colorectal cancer after kidney transplantation – case report
Patients after organ transplantation currently live to an older age thanks to advances in surgery and pharmacotherapy. However, the longer a person takes immunosuppressants, the more they are at risk of developing malignant disease. The case report of Hungarian doctors from the university hospital in Pécs illustrates what the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) after kidney transplantation can look like.
News Efficacy of Empagliflozin in HFpEF Patients – Comparison of Subpopulations with Preserved and Mid-Range LV EF
A sub-analysis of the EMPEROR-Preserved clinical trial examined the effects and safety of empagliflozin in patients with heart failure with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) > 40%. What insights does it provide regarding the impact on cardiovascular (CV) mortality or the need for hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) concerning left ventricular function?
News Monocyte Distribution Width Indicates Sepsis Regardless of Sepsis Etiology
Patients in intensive care units represent a high-risk population for the development of sepsis, which is one of the primary causes of mortality in these settings. The aim of the recently published study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic properties of the monocyte distribution width parameter in septic patients.
News Systemic Manifestations of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic progressive disease characterized by remodeling of the pulmonary vessels, leading to the development of right-sided heart failure. Aside from the symptoms of right ventricular failure and pulmonary circulation impairment, patients with PAH also exhibit changes in other organ systems.
News Incidence and Risk Factors of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Hematologic Oncologic Patients
Patients with hematologic malignancies are at higher risk of infectious diseases, particularly community-acquired pneumonia, due to immunosuppression. However, recent data providing information on the incidence and risk factors of community-acquired pneumonia in this patient group are quite limited. The aim of the cohort study published by Dutch authors was therefore to supplement the missing recent information on the issue of community-acquired pneumonia in hematologic oncologic patients.
News Post-COVID-19 Patient Care from the Perspective of Experts Across Fields
For many patients with COVID-19, overcoming the acute phase is crucial, but we now know that the disease may not end there. Some patients even manage the acute stage with very mild symptoms, and significant difficulties arise later in the form of 'post-COVID syndrome.' This issue was discussed in detail at a January webinar by leading experts from various fields.
News Is there a link between Parvovirus B19 infection and autoimmune thyroid diseases?
Autoimmune thyroid diseases are among the most common autoimmune disorders, with a worldwide prevalence of around 10%. The study presented below, recently published in the International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, examined the connection between Parvovirus B19 infection (the cause of erythema infectiosum in children) and these diseases.
News Off-label use of eye drops containing bromfenac in the treatment of cystoid macular edema in the only seeing eye of a complex patient – case report
The following case report discusses the effect of repeated use of an ophthalmic preparation containing bromfenac in a patient with recurrent cystoid macular edema (CME) in the only seeing eye with advanced glaucoma. The patient has undergone more than 15 eye surgeries or procedures, has been treated for glaucoma since 2005, and has multiple intolerances to eye drops and polymorphic problems, which she attributes to the application of the drops. The dominant personality trait is an anxious approach, which, together with the complicated findings in the only seeing eye, narrows the selection of therapeutic options.
News What to add to amlodipine when it alone is not enough for hypertension?
Treating hypertension is a daily task for not only general practitioners and cardiologists. Polish doctors evaluated the effect of adding bisoprolol on the blood pressure of patients with inadequately controlled hypertension on amlodipine monotherapy in a placebo-controlled AMCOR study.
News The Anti-inflammatory and Renoprotective Effect of Candesartan May Be Independent of the AT1 Receptor
Candesartan belongs to the blockers of AT1 receptors (AT1R) for angiotensin II coupled with G protein. The authors of the presented study found that the anti-inflammatory and renoprotective effect of candesartan persists even when the receptor is completely blocked. The aim of the further study was to clarify this mechanism - independent of AT1R.
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 What Did the Patent for the Synthesis of Highly Purified Trazodone Bring?
Trazodone is a modern antidepressant that is used in the treatment of various types of depression, including those accompanied by anxiety, sleep disorders, or sexual dysfunction. Angelini's invention, with patent protection valid until 2028, presents several methods for the preparation of purified trazodone, or trazodone hydrochloride, which guarantees high purity of this substance and a low content of unwanted residues.
News Effect of Telmisartan and Losartan on Bone Turnover Markers in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Stage I Hypertension
Telmisartan, an AT1 receptor blocker for angiotensin II and partial agonist of the PPAR-γ receptor, is a widely used antihypertensive. The PPAR-γ receptor plays a role in the genesis of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and antidiabetic drugs from the thiazolidinedione group, which act as agonists of this receptor, have a known inhibitory effect on bone metabolism and increase the risk of non-traumatic fractures. Knowledge regarding the potential similar effects of telmisartan is limited. The following study compared the effects of telmisartan and losartan (an AT1 blocker without agonistic effect on PPAR-γ) on bone turnover markers in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension.
News Another Positive Effect of Diosmin − Influence on Oxidative Stress
Diosmin is an established drug in the therapy of chronic venous insufficiency. It is known to act through several different mechanisms. A study by Polish authors provides evidence of its ability to reduce oxidative stress.