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News Levodropropizine vs. dextromethorphan: Which one to recommend to your patients and why?
Reducing cough intensity and nighttime awakenings, rapid onset of action, simple dosing regimen, and good treatment tolerance—these are the properties we expect from antitussive drugs, not only in pediatrics. So which of these wins in these parameters compared to other commonly used over-the-counter antitussives?
News Impact of Thyroid Dysfunction on the Cardiovascular System in Elderly Patients
The incidence of thyroid disease increases with age. In the Czech Republic, up to 5% of the population suffers from hypothyroidism, and the prevalence of hyperthyroidism is estimated at 0.2-1%. The following text discusses the impact of these thyroid disorders on the cardiovascular (CV) system in elderly patients.
News Current Sequence of Treatment for Metastatic HER2+ Breast Cancer
In September 2023, experts from Miami Cancer Institute published their consensus statement on the treatment of HER2-positive advanced breast cancer (BC). The latest change in therapeutic strategy is the preference for the antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan in the 2nd line.
News MUDr. Tomáš Mašek: In the prevention of hemorrhoids, more use of venopharmaceuticals is needed
While in the past the diagnosis of hemorrhoids was inextricably linked to traditional surgical solutions, today - thanks to the expansion of the indication for venopharmaceuticals for this condition - the number of patients who have to undergo these procedures is a minority. We asked coloproctologist MUDr. Tomáš Mašek how the potential of venopharmaceuticals can be utilized in the prevention and treatment of hemorrhoid disease.
News Thrombocytopenia Following mRNA Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2
In connection with the administration of mRNA-based vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, cases of secondary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) have been described. A commentary published by a large team of authors in the American Journal of Hematology described a series of cases of low platelet counts identified within 2 weeks of vaccination. The data was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), as well as through direct communication with patients and their physicians.
News Depakine Chrono versus Other Valproates in the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
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.
News Treatment Options for Advanced Parkinson's Disease Using Medical Devices (DAT)
A new treatment option for advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) using medical devices (DAT − device-aided therapy) is the intestinal infusion gel containing levodopa, entacapone, and carbidopa (LECIG). An article published in 2022 in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders provides an overview of current DAT modalities in PD patients and presents LECIG as the latest extension of options in this area.
News Tiapride versus Haloperidol in the Therapy of Aggressiveness and Agitation in Elderly Patients with Cognitive Impairment
Acute restlessness, agitation, and aggression can be associated with psychiatric disorders but also be manifestations of somatic illnesses. Psychomotor agitation combined with disorientation is typical, for example, in older individuals with cognitive impairments. The primary goal of therapy is to calm the patient, most often using antipsychotics. The clinical study presented below compared the efficacy and safety of the antipsychotics haloperidol and tiapride versus placebo in patients with acute agitation and aggression who were diagnosed with mild to moderate cognitive impairment.
News Impact of Candesartan on Achieving Remission in Patients with Active IgA Nephropathy
IgA nephropathy is the most common glomerulonephritis worldwide and in the Czech Republic. The effect of candesartan (an angiotensin receptor blocker) on the remission of active IgA nephropathy in patients treated with steroid pulses and tonsillectomy was investigated by the randomized study presented below.
News COVID-19 and Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura − Spanish Experience Suggests Surprising Connections
In a retrospective study examining the impact of COVID-19 on immune thrombocytopenic purpura, Spanish authors surprisingly observed a paradoxical effect.
News Telmisartan, amlodipine, and chlorthalidone in a low-dose fixed triple combination – better control of target blood pressure values?
The secondary analysis of the TRIUMPH study, recently published in JAMA Cardiology, is likely the first published assessment of time spent in the target blood pressure (BP) range during antihypertensive treatment. This parameter was assessed in patients with moderate hypertension using a low-dose triple combination of antihypertensives (telmisartan 20 mg, amlodipine 2.5 mg, and chlorthalidone 12.5 mg) compared to usual care.
News Screenings of Lung Cancer and COPD are Significant. What Do the Latest Data from Czechia Say?
At the end of January, an expert seminar was held, focusing on updates in the treatment of respiratory diseases. During this event, the head of the Pulmonary Clinic at LF UK and FN Hradec Králové, Associate Professor MUDr. Vladimír Koblížek, Ph.D., gave a lecture on the current Czech findings from lung cancer screenings and a project aimed at the early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
News Inclisiran − a new addition to the arsenal of dyslipidemia treatment
At the XXIX Congress of the Czech Society of Internal Medicine ČLS JEP, held November 6−9, 2022 in Prague, lectures on innovative dyslipidemia therapy using the small interfering RNA molecule − inclisiran were presented at the Novartis company symposium.
News Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy: How Great Are the Real Risks and Can They Be Effectively Reduced?
The aim of the meta-analysis by authors from the Mayo Clinic was to describe the impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on the course of pregnancy and the effect of levothyroxine replacement therapy in reducing the risk of possible complications.
News Effect of Itopride on Esophageal Motility and Lower Esophageal Sphincter Function
Itopride is a prokinetic used in the therapy of functional non-ulcerous upper dyspeptic difficulties. The mechanism of action involves inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and antagonism at dopamine D2 receptors. A clinical study by Belgian authors from the Catholic University of Leuven evaluated whether the effect of itopride is due to its influence on esophageal motility and lower esophageal sphincter function.
News Patient with Diabetes: When to Follow Up and When to Refer to a Specialist?
It is most often the general practitioner (GP) who first diagnoses diabetes. Whether during preventive check-ups, preoperative examinations, or based on the patient's clinical issues. After diagnosing diabetes, however, the GP faces a difficult decision: Will they continue to monitor and treat the patient themselves, or will they refer them to a diabetologist?
News Etiology and Therapy of Dry Eye Syndrome in a Nutshell
Dry eye syndrome, the most common diagnosis in outpatient ophthalmology practice, is a multifactorial disease with varying severity of symptoms. It reduces the quality of life and can also affect the patient's visual functions. Therapy is individualized according to the primary trigger of the disease and aims to restore the homeostasis of the ocular surface and tear film. Due to the rapid pace of modernization associated with numerous extrinsic factors contributing to the development of dry eye syndrome, its incidence is rising, as well as the number of topical therapeutic options.
News Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Unsaponifiable Soy and Avocado Oil and Chondroitin Sulfate in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease in adult patients, with its prevalence increasing with age, and these issues most frequently affect the knee joint. In the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis), the so-called symptomatically slow-acting drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis (SYSADOA) are used, among which unsaponifiable soy and avocado oil or chondroitin sulfate are included. The study compared the efficacy and safety of these two drugs in a 6-month therapy of gonarthrosis.
News Variability of COPD Symptoms During the Day and Impact on Patients' Morning Routine – Survey Results
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is viewed, unlike bronchial asthma, as a condition with a more chronic course and less variability of symptoms throughout the day. The study presented below aimed to clarify whether these patients experience deterioration at certain times of the day and how this affects their daily lives.
News Dupilumab – The First Biologic Umbrellaing Type 2 Inflammation Treatment: How Does It Work and Who Is It For?
A new drug is entering the market for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps – the biologic product Dupixent®. The active ingredient is dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody administered subcutaneously using a pre-filled syringe.
News Gliflozins in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes According to Current Recommendations SVL
Gliflozins are a relatively new group of antidiabetics with a specific mechanism of action. In addition to glycemic control, they have shown favorable effects on body weight and blood pressure, minimal risk of hypoglycemia, reduced risk of heart failure, and also renal protection and cardiovascular safety. Their position in the therapeutic algorithm for type 2 diabetes is clearly defined in the 2020 recommendations of the Society of General Medicine ČLS JEP.
News How Gut Microbiota Affects Thyroid Function
The composition of gut microbiota has a significant impact on the human body. Studies conducted so far have found a correlation between dysbiosis and a range of diseases, including thyroid disorders (primarily autoimmune, but also the occurrence of nodules or thyroid cancer).
News Relationship between Thyroid Gland Echogenicity and Its Function in Pediatric Patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Hashimoto's (chronic lymphocytic) thyroiditis is the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism in both adults and pediatric patients in developed countries. The study presented below explored the relationship between thyroid gland (TG) echogenicity observed in ultrasound (US) examinations and its function in patients diagnosed with this condition.