Search

News KDIGO: The Choice of Dialysis Modality Must Consider Patient Individuality

The moment of initiating dialysis, as well as the period immediately before and after it, is crucial for good treatment outcomes. But what exactly can be considered a good outcome, and do the perspectives of doctors and patients align on this issue? Leading nephrologists worldwide discussed this at the KDIGO conference, which was specifically focused on controversies in dialysis treatment.

Source: Chronic Kidney Disease 27. 5. 2020

News Teriflunomide and Pregnancy Planning

The authors of the article published last year in Multiple Sclerosis Journal present data regarding experiences with the use of teriflunomide during pregnancy.

Source: Multiple Sclerosis 25. 3. 2021

News Current Findings on Fixed Combination Aclidinium/Formoterol in COPD Therapy

The fixed inhalation combination of aclidinium/formoterol represents a combination of a long-acting anticholinergic (LAMA) and a long-acting β₂-mimetic (LABA) used for maintenance treatment of moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Below, we summarize the current findings on the efficacy and safety of this dual bronchodilation therapy.

Source: Treatment of Asthma and COPD 30. 8. 2022

News Overview of the Efficacy of the Fixed Combination Aclidinium-Bromide/Formoterol-Fumarate in the Maintenance Treatment of COPD

Fixed combination inhalation medications have become the cornerstone of pharmacotherapy for moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). American authors have published an overview of study results evaluating the efficacy and safety of one of the newest fixed combinations of LABA/LAMA, aclidinium-bromide and formoterol-fumarate (AB/FF), in the maintenance treatment of COPD compared to placebo or other medications. These clinical studies investigated the extent to which regular use of this fixed combination alleviates COPD symptoms, improves lung function, reduces the incidence of exacerbations, and increases exercise tolerance.

Source: Treatment of Asthma and COPD 30. 8. 2022

News Stable Position of Micronized Diosmin in the Treatment of Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Hemorrhoids

Diosmin is a flavonoid used in Europe as a venotonic and vasoprotective agent for over 40 years. Significant progress has been made in medicine during this time, yet the role of diosmin in the treatment of venous insufficiency and hemorrhoidal disease remains important. Diosmin itself has also evolved, being micronized for better biological availability and showing significant effects on the vascular system according to research.

Source: Venous Insufficiency 30. 9. 2020

News Regorafenib and Trifluridine/Tipiracil: Hospitalization and Clinical Outcomes in the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Regorafenib and trifluridine/tipiracil are drugs that prolong overall survival (OS) in pre-treated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The difference in the toxicity of these agents led to the hypothesis that treatment toxicity of individual drugs might increase the number of hospitalizations, thereby affecting patients' quality of life. The study presented below aimed to analyze the number of hospitalizations during treatment and their possible impact on OS.

Source: Treatment of Gastrointestinal Carcinomas 22. 3. 2021

News Deficit Alpha-1-Antitrypsin as an Underestimated Problem? What a Survey Among European Experts Revealed

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a congenital disorder caused by mutations in the SERPINA1 gene. Although it is very well described, it is considered underdiagnosed and undertreated. A recent international survey conducted among specialists on this issue aimed to determine the current situation in Europe.

Source: Deficiency of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin 13. 7. 2020

News Cariprazine −⁠ a Cardiometabolically Friendly Antipsychotic

Part of the 63rd Czech-Slovak Psychopharmacological Conference, held online from January 15−16, 2021, featured a lecture by Prof. MUDr. Jiří Masopust, Ph.D., from the Psychiatric Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Hradec Králové, titled “Cariprazine: a Cardiometabolically Friendly Antipsychotic”.

Source: Schizophrenia and Antipsychotics 23. 2. 2021

News Comparison of Cardiovascular Effects of Sitagliptin and Empagliflozin

Cardiovascular (CV) diseases remain the leading cause of death among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Reducing the incidence of macrovascular CV events in diabetics requires more than just glycemic control alongside all other present CV risk factors. New antidiabetic drugs represent a very promising group of medications with a favorable safety profile, aiding in reducing the risk of CV complications.

Source: Diabetes 19. 4. 2022

News Long-term Benefit of Luspatercept Therapy –⁠ Fresh Data from the MEDALIST Study

The goal of therapy for low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is to compensate for anemia, improve or maintain quality of life, and prolong the time to progression to higher-risk MDS (HR-MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To manage anemia, we can resort to transfusion therapy or administer epoetins, lenalidomide, or luspatercept, the first representative of a class of drugs that support erythrocyte maturation. Last year's data from the follow-up of patients enrolled in the MEDALIST study pertain specifically to the latter.

Source: Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) 22. 4. 2024

News Importance of pH in Care for Stoma Patients

Maintaining good quality peristomal skin and preventing complications related to the stoma site are integral parts of comprehensive care for patients with stomas. The pH of the skin also plays an important role in this issue, as it can significantly affect the condition of the skin, the development of complications, the quality of life of patients, and consequently impact the economic aspect of stoma care.

Source: Ostomy 19. 3. 2020

News Perioperative Management of Bleeding in Patients with von Willebrand Disease Using Coagulation Factors

Von Willebrand disease is one of the most common congenital bleeding disorders. It is a heterogeneous group of diseases with varying severity of clinical manifestations. Some patients require pharmacological prevention or treatment of bleeding as part of perioperative care. The administration of concentrates containing coagulation factors is currently the gold standard for certain types of von Willebrand disease.

Source: Von Willebrand Disease 16. 12. 2020

News When Teriflunomide and Interferon Join Forces

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a nightmare for all doctors prescribing disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis. How Swiss colleagues dealt with this situation is illuminated by the following case study.

Source: Multiple Sclerosis 21. 12. 2021

News Overall Survival and Tolerance of Olaparib in the OlympiAD Study –⁠ Results of Extended Follow-up

Olaparib provides women with metastatic breast cancer with a germline BRCA mutation, who have not been pre-treated with chemotherapy, not only with extended progression-free survival but also, according to the latest reports, longer overall survival. Its tolerability is good over the long term.

Source: Ovarian and Breast Cancer 28. 5. 2020

News Population Pharmacokinetics of Perioperative Administration of Coagulation Factors in Patients with von Willebrand Disease

For many patients with von Willebrand disease, the administration of coagulation factors is an important part of perioperative care. Due to the absence of pharmacokinetic models, predicting therapeutic levels is challenging, leading to a higher risk of bleeding or thrombotic events. To create the missing model, a long-term study was conducted by Dutch authors.

Source: Von Willebrand Disease 27. 8. 2020