Current medical research and opinion
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Review
Pharmacology of chlorphenamine and pseudoephedrine use in the common cold: a narrative review.
The common cold is the most frequent upper respiratory viral infection. Although benign, it represents a high socioeconomic burden. Many over-the-counter drugs are available to manage the symptoms of this condition, with antihistamines and vasoconstrictors being the most widely used. ⋯ Chlorphenamine appears to exhibit a higher degree of efficacy in alleviating rhinorrhea and other specific cold symptoms compared to pseudoephedrine. Pharmacovigilance data and case report reviews showed that pseudoephedrine may induce a higher incidence of less common but potentially life-threatening adverse effects compared to chlorphenamine. We concluded that antihistamine drugs exhibit a more favorable benefit/risk profile than vasoconstrictors for treating symptomatic common colds.
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Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), responsible for most diabetes cases recorded worldwide, increases the risk of chronic wounds and amputation. Patients with T2DM appear to be more susceptible to delayed wound healing due to their treatment adherence. This review explores the specifics of polypharmacy, side effects, possible drug interactions and the importance of medication adherence for therapeutic efficacy. ⋯ Managing chronic wounds represents a substantial portion of healthcare expenditures. Biofilm-associated infections are difficult for the immune system to treat and respond inconsistently to antibiotics as these infections are slow growing and persistent. Additionally, we emphasize the critical role pharmacists play in enhancing patient adherence and optimizing diabetes treatment by offering comprehensive coverage of drugs associated with problems related to pharmacological therapy in type 2 diabetes.
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The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic investigation of the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) models in the prediction, detection of diagnostic biomarkers, and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). In addition, we compared the performance of non-logistic regression (LR) machine learning (ML) models to conventional LR prediction models. ⋯ ML models showed solid DKD prediction effectiveness, with pooled AUROC values over 0.8, suggesting good performance. These data demonstrated that non-LR and LR models perform similarly in overall CKD management, but the RF model outperforms the LR model, particularly in predicting the occurrence of DKD. These findings highlight the promise of AI technologies for better DKD management. To improve model reliability, future study should include extended follow-up periods as well as external validation.
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The management of diabetes mellitus has undergone remarkable progress with the introduction of cutting-edge technologies in glucose monitoring and artificial pancreas systems. These innovations have revolutionized diabetes care, offering patients more precise, convenient, and personalized management solutions that significantly improve their quality of life. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent technological advancements in glucose monitoring devices and artificial pancreas systems, focusing on their transformative impact on diabetes care. ⋯ Researchers are continually exploring novel methods to measure glucose more effectively and with greater convenience, further refining the future of diabetes care. Researchers are also investigating the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to further enhance the precision and predictive capabilities of glucose monitoring and insulin delivery systems. With ongoing advancements in sensor technology, connectivity, and data analytics, the future of diabetes care promises to deliver even more seamless, real-time management, empowering patients with greater autonomy and improved health outcomes.
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The purpose of this narrative review is to analyze the most recent studies about the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT), two of the main biomarkers of infection, in distinguishing viral from bacterial etiology, in predicting the severity of infection and in guiding antibiotic stewardship in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The studies examined reveal that both CRP and PCT play a valuable role in diagnosing pediatric CAP, though each has limitations. ⋯ However, even though CRP and PCT offer valuable insights into the diagnosis and management of pediatric CAP, their application should be always integrated with clinical assessment rather than used in isolation. More studies are needed to define standardized thresholds and decision algorithms that incorporate these biomarkers.