Medicina clinica
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The recognition of atherogenesis as an active process rather than a passive cholesterol storage disease has underlined key inflammatory mechanisms. Hence, innate and adaptive immune responses play an important role in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. ⋯ Therefore, we review first the pathophysiological contribution of inflammation to atherosclerosis and the effect of lipid-lowering drugs on inflammatory biomarkers. Next, we address the effect of classic anti-inflammatory drugs, pharmacological therapies targeting specific inflammatory mediators and vaccines in cardiovascular prevention.
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Influenza virus infection is associated with a high disease burden. COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has become a pandemic outbreak since January 2020. Taiwan has effectively contained COVID-19 community transmission. We aimed to validate whether fighting COVID-19 could help to control other respiratory infections in Taiwan. ⋯ Fighting COVID-19 achieved collateral benefits on significant reductions of severe influenza burden, invasive S. pneumoniae disease activity, and the death toll from pneumonia reported to CDC in Taiwan.
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Practice Guideline
SEEDO-SEMERGEN consensus document on continuous care of obesity between Primary Care and Specialist Hospital Units 2019.
The high prevalence of obesity in our environment, a chronic disease of complex management and responsible for multiple comorbidities, requires the implementation of coordination strategies in clinical care between primary care and specialist hospital units. In a cross-sectional care model, primary care physicians guide all therapeutic management related to obesity. Together with them, specialists in endocrinology and nutrition and other health staff help to form a functional unit that focuses on obesity. The main goal of this document is to improve the coordination between care levels, to optimize resources, avoid patients' unrealistic expectations and improve patient follow-up after discharge from hospital.