Current medical research and opinion
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The recent outbreak of monkeypox (mpox) poses significant public health challenges, particularly for immunocompromised populations such as patients with cancer. However, misinformation poses a significant challenge during new outbreaks for patients with chronic diseases, as observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to assess perspectives and knowledge of patients with cancer on mpox and their willingness to receive mpox vaccination. ⋯ A substantial proportion of cancer patients in Turkey are hesitant to receive the mpox vaccine, primarily due to concerns about safety and its implications for cancer treatment. Targeted educational interventions that address these specific concerns and enhance understanding of the benefits of vaccination are critical to improving vaccine uptake in this vulnerable population.
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This study aimed to describe clinical characteristics-including blood counts and pharmacologic cytoreductive treatment patterns-and outcomes after 6 months of hydroxyurea (HU) treatment among patients with polycythemia vera (PV) in US community practices. ⋯ Nearly half of high-risk patients with PV did not receive pharmacologic cytoreductive treatment. Of those who did, over half had suboptimal response, suggesting these patients may need dose adjustments, improved adverse effect management, or alternative treatments. Longer follow-up may be needed to assess an association between HU response and survival.
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White coat effect (WCE) is a phenomenon linked to increased cardiovascular risk, where office blood pressure readings exceed home or ambulatory measurements. Excess weight and elevated blood pressure or glucose are associated with WCE in type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study compared dapagliflozin and glibenclamide on WCE in T2D patients under equivalent blood pressure and glucose control. ⋯ The trial was registered at the Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT: 02919345).
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Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) can significantly impair quality of life, but often remains undiagnosed due to limited clinic time, lack of specialist expertise and lack of patient awareness. There are several validated questionnaires for diagnosing PN, but the time taken to administer them in busy primary care clinics limits their utilization. A new, simpler questionnaire was developed following an advisory board meeting in Southeast Asia and was further refined and translated to Portuguese and Spanish following a second advisory board meeting in Latin America. We consider current hurdles and propose a quick and reliable questionnaire that can be widely adopted to enable earlier diagnosis and improved management of PN in resource-limited settings in Latin America.