Study of the Quality of Medical Therapy and Adherence in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure (According to the COMPLIANCE Study)

Aim. Assess the medical therapy quality in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and patients' adherence to the treatment depending on the previous observation in a specialized medical center as part of an of an outpatient registry.Materials and methods. An analysis of the medical therapy quality in patients with CHF was carried out as part of the COMPLIANCE prospective observational study (NCT04262583). 72 patients with CHF verified according to the protocol were included in the study. The average age of the patients was 69.1±9.5 years (31% of women and 69% of men). Patients were divided into groups: those who first applied to a specialized department during the period of the study inclusion, or those who were previously observed in a specialized department. The general adherence assessment to medical therapy was carried out using the original questionnaire «The adherence scale of the National Society for Evidence-Based Pharmacotherapy» which was supplemented with questions to assess the actual adherence to specific medical drugs recommended for patients with CHF.Results. According to the results of the study, beta-blockers were prescribed to 70 (97.2%) patients. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) were recommended in 68 (94%) patients. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists were included in therapy in 6 out of 9 patients who were shown to be prescribed (66.6%). The choice of medical drugs within the group was not always adequate. For example, ACEi/ARBs with proven efficacy in patients with CHF were prescribed only in 72% of patients. Comparative analysis of adherence to medical therapy between patients of the selected groups demonstrated a higher adherence to the recommended therapy in patients who were previously observed in a specialized center.Conclusion. The medical therapy quality for patients with CHF doesn't always comply with current clinical guidelines. The choice of a medical drug within a group is not always adequate. Regular observation in a specialized center contributes to a higher adherence to the recommended therapy.

Sleep Bruxism in Children: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment—A Literature Review

(1) Background: Bruxism, a condition characterized by grinding and involuntary clenching of the teeth, is a risk factor for the development of masticatory dysfunction. It can occur together with sleep disturbances and may be associated with abnormal body movements, breathing difficulties, increased muscle activity, and heart rate disturbances. This disorder is becoming an important dental concern in children. (2) Methods: A literature review was carried out based on a search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases for articles on bruxism in children, published between 2014 and 2021. The etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of bruxism in children were of particular interest in the study. (3) Results: A total of 40 articles were included in the review. The analyzed studies indicated that the prevalence rates of bruxism in children vary widely from 13% to 49%. The etiology of bruxism is complex and incomprehensible, and the main diagnostic criteria for this condition in children are subjective observation, clinical history, and clinical examination. The recommended therapy for sleep bruxism in children is physiotherapy and psychotherapy. (4) Conclusions: Dentists and primary care physicians should correctly diagnose bruxism in children, educate parents, prevent potential consequences for oral health, and identify possible comorbidities. Appropriate clinical guidelines for the treatment and prophylaxis of bruxism in children should also be developed.

Case Report: Mitral Valve Involvement and First-Degree Atrial-Ventricular Block in Two Patients With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

COVID-19 seems to be less frequent and severe in children compared to adults. Despite the very few symptoms usually found in children, great attention was recorded when in April 2020 a hyperinflammatory process in children with fever and multiorgan involvement after a paucisymptomatic COVID infection was reported. The United States Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recognized and defined this syndrome as “Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).” We describe two cases of MIS-C presenting with fever, cutaneous rash, and a mild cardiac involvement expressed with a transient mitral valve involvement and a first-degree atrioventricular block. Acute treatment was managed with intravenous immunoglobulin, oral aspirin, and intravenous corticosteroids reaching consequent good outcome. Clinical characteristics, treatment management, follow-up, and long-term evolution of children with MIS-C are still poorly defined. Further research is needed to better understand the pathogenesis of this newly described condition, to validate a high-level recommended therapy and a specific therapy tapering timings.

Clinical Outcomes of Molecular Tumor Boards: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE We conducted this systematic review to evaluate the clinical outcomes associated with molecular tumor board (MTB) review in patients with cancer. METHODS A systematic search of PubMed was performed to identify studies reporting clinical outcomes in patients with cancer who were reviewed by an MTB. To be included, studies had to report clinical outcomes, including clinical benefit, response, progression-free survival, or overall survival. Two reviewers independently selected studies and assessed quality with the Quality Assessment Tool for Before-After (Pre-Post) Studies with No Control Group or the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies depending on the type of study being reviewed. RESULTS Fourteen studies were included with a total of 3,328 patients with cancer. All studies included patients without standard-of-care treatment options and usually with multiple prior lines of therapy. In studies reporting response rates, patients receiving MTB-recommended therapy had overall response rates ranging from 0% to 67%. In the only trial powered on clinical outcome and including a control group, the group receiving MTB-recommended therapy had significantly improved rate of progression-free survival compared with those receiving conventional therapy. CONCLUSION Although data quality is limited by a lack of prospective randomized controlled trials, MTBs appear to improve clinical outcomes for patients with cancer. Future research should concentrate on prospective trials and standardization of approach and outcomes.

Cardiometabolic Risk Reduction: A Review of Clinical Guidelines and the Role of SGLT-2 Inhibitors

At the end of the activity, participants will be able to: • Identify how heart failure (HF), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated cardiovascular (CV) risks are interconnected. • Initiate guideline-recommended therapy to reduce CV risk in patients with HF, CKD, and/or T2DM. • Apply evidence for sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2 inhibitors) to clinical practice, based on recent and emerging trials. • Review evidence suggesting increased incidence and severity of COVID-19 infection in patients with diabetes.

New Perspectives in COPD Management

LEARNING OBJECTIVES • Collaborate with patients to inform treatment decision-making that addresses their symptoms, goals, and concerns • Individualize guideline-recommended therapy to reduce chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, improve lung function, manage daily symptoms such as breathlessness, and help achieve the patient’s goals • Select an inhaler and an optimal dose of medication to best meet a patient’s needs and capabilities

Development of low-cost portable ultrasonic nebulizer in COVID 19 Era : DIY nano nebulizer

Respiratory diseases are major public health problem in resource poor countries. This global problem greatly accentuated in the COVID 19 pandemic, which results in shortage of resources. Nebulized therapy is the recommended therapy for the patients with respiratory diseases with or without COVID 19. Jet nebulizers are bulky and ultrasonic are expensive. Therefore we are describing novel, simple, inexpensive, DIY – Nano nebulizer which can be use a homemade solution without the need of specific equipment.

BELL’S PALSY: SUATU TINJAUAN PUSTAKA

Bell’s palsy merupakan kelainan saraf fasialis yang paling banyak dijumpai. Gejala klinis bell’s palsy yaitu adanya lesi saraf fasialis akut tipe lower motor neuron yang terjadi secara tiba-tiba dan cepat. Sekitar 80% pasien sembuh spontan. Etiologi dan patofisiologi masih diperdebatkan. Kehamilan memiliki resiko tiga kali lipat terjadi bell’s palsy. Penegakkan diagnosis berdasarkan klinis. Terapi yang direkomendasikan yaitu pemberian steroid oral. Artikel ini merupakan sebuah studi pustaka.Kata kunci: Bell’s palsy, etiologi, diagnosis, penatalaksanaan ABSTRACTBell's palsy is the most common facial nerve disorder. The clinical symptom is acute lower motor neuron type facial nerve lesion that occurs suddenly and rapidly. About 80% of patients recover spontaneously. The etiology and pathophysiology are still being debated. Pregnancy has a threefold risk of developing Bell's palsy. Diagnosis based on clinical. The recommended therapy is oral steroid administration. This article was a literature review.Keyword: Bell’s palsy, diagnosis, etiology, treatment