European journal of internal medicine
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Dec 2024
Observational StudyCarotid plaque offsets sex-related differences in cardiovascular risk of young hypertensive patients.
Women have a lower risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease compared to men. Whether this difference is influenced by the presence of hypertension-mediated organ damage is unknown. ⋯ Our findings suggest that the presence of CP in young patients with treated hypertension offsets the CV disease protection in women.
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Dec 2024
ReviewThe assessment, interpretation and implementation of lung ultrasound examinations in Heart Failure: Current evidence and gaps in knowledge.
Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a simple, fast and non-invasive tool for pulmonary congestion assessment with higher accuracy for the detection of acute heart failure (HF) compared to clinical examination and chest radiography. The integrated assessment with other ultrasound and echocardiographic parameters can lead to a better systemic and pulmonary congestion characterization. Additionally, the combination of echocardiographic and pulmonary features can identify patients at higher risk for adverse outcomes, potentially facilitating both acute and chronic HF management and prognostic stratification. ⋯ Despite the extensive potential role of LUS in a wide range of HF scenarios, clinicians may be unaware of the correct technique and exam interpretation. Specifically, the interpretation of LUS findings is influenced by several factors, such as imaging protocol, type of ultrasound transducer, patient positioning, and presence of concomitant pulmonary diseases. The aim of this review is to provide a practical overview of LUS in patients with known or suspected HF with the goal of providing a practical guide for clinicians and nurses in various clinical settings.
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Obesity presents a significant public health challenge, with a growing prevalence among older adults and addressing obesity in older adults presents unique challenges. Behaviour therapy is a cornerstone in obesity management, yet its application in older populations, is underexplored. This narrative review, based on the current literature, examines the role of behavioural change techniques (BCTs) in addressing obesity in older adults, highlighting the need for tailored interventions that consider age-related challenges. ⋯ Therefore, the design and implementation of BCTs in this population require careful evaluation and customization. Tailored interventions that consider the unique needs of this population, such as preserving muscle mass and addressing functional limitations, are essential. Future research should focus on large-scale, well-designed trials to elucidate the optimal BCTs for older individuals, ensuring interventions are diverse and inclusive to meet the needs of older adults with obesity.
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Dec 2024
Multicenter StudyTreatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: Analysis of treatment patterns in adult and paediatric patients across four European countries.
Multiple treatment options are recommended for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) by clinical guidelines. This study aimed to explore SLE treatment patterns as there is limited real-world data of SLE medication utilisation, especially in childhood-onset SLE (cSLE). ⋯ Treatment choices for adult SLE patients across four European countries were in line with recent therapeutic consensus guidelines. High glucocorticoid prescriptions in paediatric patients suggests the need for steroid-sparing treatment alternatives and paediatric specific guidelines.