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News Ocrelizumab in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis – 10-Year Data
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong disease with a high risk of permanent disability. Current information on the long-term efficacy and safety of treatment is therefore absolutely essential for the optimal choice of therapeutic agent – in this case, ocrelizumab.
News Treatment of Schizophrenia in Light of New Findings
"Mental disorders constitute a significant burden on society," began Assoc. Prof. MUDr. Martin Anders, Ph.D., head of the Psychiatric Clinic at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, during his presentation at the psychiatric symposium titled "A Chance for a Better Life with Schizophrenia Diagnosis," held on October 18, 2021, in Prague. His lecture focused on key issues in the treatment of schizophrenia, as well as on one of the recently registered antipsychotics—lurasidone.
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 Ixekizumab is a Safe Option for Long-Term Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases
Psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) are chronic inflammatory diseases that often require long-term treatment. The current pharmacotherapy of these diseases includes conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and targeted biological therapies that inhibit the effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or interleukins IL-23 and IL-17. An analysis published in early 2020 in the journal Rheumatology focused on the safety of long-term inhibition of IL-17A using ixekizumab.
News Balance and Rehabilitation – Firm on the Ground Even with Multiple Sclerosis
A large portion of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from balance disorders. What are the options for non-pharmacological therapy for these issues according to the latest studies?
News Adherence to Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: How to Enhance It and What Interesting Insights Emerged from Current Research?
Therapeutic options for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) utilizing disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) have continued to expand in recent years. However, achieving their full benefit is critically dependent on adherence to treatment. Nonadherence is demonstrably linked to an increased risk of relapses, faster progression of disability, higher treatment costs, and higher mortality. We present a summary of factors affecting adherence to treatment in MS patients, including the influence of the chosen therapy from a 2022 review and subsequent studies.
News Neutropenia with Thrombocytopenia after Alemtuzumab? − Case Report
Early neutropenia with thrombocytopenia is not a common side effect of alemtuzumab. However, the patient in the following case report by Italian colleagues was affected. What was the outcome?
News Treatment of Cough in Clinical Practice: Which Preparations Are Suitable and When?
In clinical practice, we differentiate the treatment of non-productive and moist productive cough. When choosing appropriate therapy, we consider the characteristics of the available medicinal products, such as sedation, route of administration, potentiation of antibiotic effect, or anti-inflammatory effect. Combining antitussive and expectorant in one dose is irrational in any case. So, how should one proceed in the treatment of cough correctly?
News HVD 2023: Cervical Cancer May Be the First Eliminated Malignancy. What Paths Will Lead to This Goal in the Czech Republic?
Cervical cancer is the 3rd most common cancer among women aged 15–44. Annually, it is diagnosed in 750–800 women in our country, and every 29 hours, one woman dies from it in the Czech Republic. However, it could become the first oncological disease that can be eliminated. How to achieve this was discussed by the chairman of the Czech Vaccinological Society ČLS JEP and Dean of the Faculty of Military Medicine at the University of Defense in Hradec Králové, Prof. MUDr. Roman Chlíbek, Ph.D., at a symposium supported by MSD during the October XVIII. Hradec Vaccinology Days (HVD).
News Pharmacokinetics and Safety Profile of Bilastine in Patients Aged 6–11 Years – Findings from Post-hoc Analysis of Studies
The second-generation antihistamine bilastine is approved in Europe for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria in children over 6 years old. Post-hoc analyses of two clinical studies focused on its safety profile and pharmacokinetics in the pediatric population.
News Fresh data from real clinical practice on targeted treatment of RA with etanercept: Should therapy be changed after 12 weeks due to insufficient response?
A recently published German study investigated, among other things, what percentage of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) achieve remission or low disease activity after a certain period of etanercept treatment in real clinical practice.
News Somapacitan administered once weekly in the treatment of children with growth hormone deficiency – current understanding
Somapacitan is a long-acting derivative of recombinant human growth hormone approved for the treatment of children and adults with growth hormone (GH) deficiency. Dr. Reiko Horikawa from Japan's National Center for Child Health and Development in Tokyo, during the 24th Pediatric Endocrinology Days held in Brno in January 2024, showed that it is a promising therapeutic option for pediatric patients from 3 years of age, thanks to its efficacy, safety, and potential to improve therapy adherence. However, careful long-term monitoring of the safety of long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) products is still necessary.
News Association of M2 Haplotype of the Annexin A5 Gene with Recurrent Reproductive Losses
Annexin A5 (ANXA5) is a placental anticoagulant protein that ensures adequate blood supply to the fetus during pregnancy, and its deficiency can increase the incidence of vascular thrombosis in the placenta. Current research shows that the M2 haplotype of the ANXA5 gene may be associated with recurrent reproductive losses and obstetric complications due to placental disorders.
News How to Save a Leg from Amputation?
Feared complications in diabetics include defects in typical locations on the lower limbs. Their presence and frequent recurrences increase the risk of possible amputation of varying degrees, mainly depending on the involvement of deep structures, i.e., tendons, joint capsules, joints, and bones. How can this scenario be avoided? One answer might be HydroTherapy.
News Pilot Program for Lung Cancer Screening in the Czech Republic – Current Interim Results
Since January 1, 2022, a pilot population program for lung cancer screening has been underway in the Czech Republic. At the 7th PREVON conference in December 2023, updates on the progress as of March 31, 2023, were presented. Data for 2022 show a 4.4% detection rate of positive findings using low-dose CT in the targeted population of current or former smokers aged 55-74 years, who have so far undergone screening.
News Perioperative Thromboprophylaxis in Elderly Patients
Thromboembolic disease (TED) is among the most common causes of death in hospitalized patients and also constitutes a significant portion of complications following surgical procedures. Without prophylaxis, thrombosis would develop in the perioperative period in almost 25% of patients. The risk of TED significantly increases with age, as does mortality. Over 21% of thrombotic complications occur in individuals over 65 years of age, and up to 16% of patients over 80 years old die shortly after being diagnosed with TED. It is crucial to focus on appropriate prevention and prophylaxis of TED in geriatric patients. However, studies have shown that thromboprophylaxis in hospitals in Europe and the USA is inadequate. Reasons may include concerns about increased bleeding during surgical procedures.
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 Prim. Václava Adámková: People mistakenly believe that there are enough antibiotics and that they will always handle infections
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2050, infections untreatable with antibiotics could become the leading cause of death, surpassing cardiovascular and oncological diseases. Rising antimicrobial resistance was one of the main topics at the VIII Congress of Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, and Epidemiology (KMINE 2022), held in September in Prague. The topic was also the focus of the expert block ‘ATB stewardship,’ where epidemiologist Petr Smejkal, infectologist Aleš Chrdle, and microbiologist Václava Adámková discussed possible solutions to this global problem. We asked Adámková to summarize insights into the presented issues for us.
News MUDr. Petra Garnolová: The combination of medical cannabis with other analgesics is the ideal way to achieve the best effect with the fewest side effects
Medical cannabis is gradually finding its way to many patients with various ailments, including those with unmanageable and hard-to-influence chronic pain. For them, this therapy can offer a new chance at a quality life despite severe or terminal illness. A relatively new form that brings additional benefits is the extract of medical cannabis. We spoke with MUDr. Petra Garnolová, a specialist in clinical oncology and palliative medicine, about why it is worth considering not only as part of analgesic therapy and her experiences from real practice.
News Thyroid Function During COVID-19 Illness and After Recovery
Acute infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has varying impacts on different organ systems of the human body. Until now, it has not been certain how precisely it affects the endocrine system, especially the thyroid gland. The study presented below investigated how thyroid function changes in relation to the course of COVID-19 infection.
News Nutritional Therapy for Critically Ill Patients in the ICU – Current Recommendations
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.
News Therapy with Cyclosporine in the Context of the Coronavirus Pandemic
The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the associated COVID-19 disease pandemic raises concerns about possible risks associated with immunosuppressive treatment of autoimmune diseases. Specifically, does the use of cyclosporine increase the risk of infection, or does it act protectively?
News Atectura® and Enerzair® from May 1, 2021 with Health Insurance Coverage
The fixed combination of indacaterol acetate (LABA) and mometasone furoate (ICS) Atectura® and the fixed triple combination, which in addition to these two substances also includes glycopyrronium bromide (LAMA), Enerzair® for maintenance inhalation treatment of bronchial asthma, approved in the EU last year, have established health insurance coverage in the Czech Republic from May 1, 2021. We bring a summary of the conditions for reimbursement.
News Kidney Carcinoma – Key Facts About the Disease With the Highest Incidence Worldwide in the Czech Republic
The incidence of renal carcinoma is increasing every year. About a quarter of the cases are still diagnosed in the metastatic stage, yet early treatment can save lives. Below, we briefly summarize data on the incidence, etiology, and risk factors of this malignant disease based on a literature review from 1945–2015. These findings may be significant for prevention and screening in high-risk individuals.