European journal of internal medicine
-
Older adults hospitalized in internal medicine wards or long-term care facilities (LTCF) are progressively increasing. Older adults with multimorbidity are more susceptible to infections, as well as to more vulnerable to adverse effects (and interactions) of antibiotics, resulting in a need for effective and safer strategies for antimicrobial stewardship (ASM), both in hospitalization wards and long-term care facilities. Studies on antimicrobial stewardship in older patients are scarce and guidelines are required. ⋯ AMS interventions are associated with reduced side effects, lower mortality, shorter hospital stays, and reduced costs. The proposed AMS framework in LTCF should focus on five domains: strategic vision, team, interventions, patient-centred care and awareness. Internists can partner with geriatrists, pharmacists and infectious disease specialists to address barriers and to improve patient care.
-
Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Jun 2024
ReviewMetabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Evolution of the final terminology.
The medical term nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was coined in 1986 for a condition that has since become the most prevalent liver disorder worldwide. In the last 3 years, the global professional community launched 2 consecutive efforts to purge NAFLD from the medical dictionary and recommended new terms based on disease pathophysiology rather than distinction from similar conditions featuring liver steatosis. A consensus by renowned clinical scholars primarily residing in the Asian-Pacific region introduced metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) as a new name to replace NAFLD in 2020. ⋯ They both capture key features of liver disease associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and with significant impact on all-cause and liver-related mortality. The framework of MASLD has incorporated many innovative aspects of MAFLD and while several conceptual disparities remain a work in progress, global efforts should focus on new insights into disease pathogenesis, outcome trajectories, prevention, and treatment. Here, some of these challenges are discussed to facilitate this process.
-
Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Jun 2024
ReviewClopidogrel induced reduction in neutrophil count: An overlooked beneficial effect?
Complement-stimulated neutrophils are able to adhere to the endothelium and damage endothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo. These blood cells participate in the early stages, growth and complications of atherosclerotic plaques. Recent findings, based on mendelian randomization analysis, support the concept that high neutrophil counts are a causal risk factor for ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction. Clopidogrel decreases leukocyte count and inflammatory markers in patients with acute coronary syndromes; this off-target effect, which is independent of the antiplatelet action, may help explaining secondary prevention data showing a superiority of clopidogrel over aspirin in reducing new cardiovascular events.
-
Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Jun 2024
ReviewThe complement system in the pathogenesis and progression of kidney diseases: What doesn't kill you makes you older.
The Complement System is an evolutionarily conserved component of immunity that plays a key role in host defense against infections and tissue homeostasis. However, the dysfunction of the Complement System can result in tissue damage and inflammation, thereby contributing to the development and progression of various renal diseases, ranging from atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome to glomerulonephritis. ⋯ This review aims to summarize the most recent insights into complement activation and therapeutic inhibition in renal diseases. Furthermore, it offers potential directions for the future rational use of complement inhibitor drugs in the context of renal diseases.
-
Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Jun 2024
Multicenter StudyRisk prediction of major cardiac adverse events and all-cause death following covid-19 hospitalization at one year follow-up: The HOPE-2 score.
Long-term consequences of COVID-19 are still partly known. ⋯ The HOPE-2 prognostic score may be useful for long-term risk stratification in patients with previous COVID-19 hospitalization. High-risk patients may require a strict follow-up.