Croatian medical journal
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Croatian medical journal · Aug 2024
Possible drug-drug interactions among elderly patients receiving antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B.
To identify possible drug-drug interactions in patients taking medications for other comorbidities while on antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B. ⋯ Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications should be used cautiously in elderly patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate due to the increased risk of renal toxicity.
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Croatian medical journal · Aug 2024
Review Case ReportsChallenging pharmacotherapy management of a psychotic disorder due to a delicate pharmacogenetic profile and drug-drug interactions: a case report and literature review.
This report presents challenging psychopharmacotherapy management of a psychotic disorder in a patient with a delicate pharmacogenetic profile and drug-drug interactions. A 31-year old woman diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2017 was referred by her psychiatrist to a clinical pharmacologist for interpretation of a pharmacogenetic test and advice regarding optimal psychopharmacotherapy. In spite of adherence to aripiprazole, olanzapine, risperidone, and levomepromazine, and rational anxiolytic therapy, she still experienced anxiety, anhedonia, loss of appetite, sleeping problems, and auditory hallucinations with commands to harm herself. ⋯ These changes led to an optimal therapeutic drug concentration and improved clinical status. At the last follow-up, the patient was without severe auditory hallucinations, became more engaged in daily life, had more interaction with others, had found a job, and even had started an emotional relationship. In psychiatry, pharmacogenetic testing is an important tool for guiding pharmacological therapy, particularly in patients with an unsatisfactory clinical response and a lack of alternative therapeutic steps for pharmacotherapy unresponsiveness.
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Croatian medical journal · Aug 2024
Multicenter StudyLimitations of life-sustaining treatments in intensive care units in Croatia: a multicenter retrospective study.
In order to gain insight into the current prevailing practices regarding the limitation of life-sustaining treatment in intensive care units (ICUs) in Croatia, we assessed the frequency of limitation and provision of certain treatment modalities, as well as the associated patient and ICU-related factors. ⋯ Older patients and those diagnosed with stroke and intracranial hemorrhage received fewer therapeutic modalities. All the observed treatment modalities were more frequently discontinued in patients who were hospitalized in the ICU for a prolonged time.
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Croatian medical journal · Aug 2024
Strong and weak points in the quality of life of school-age children with newly diagnosed uncomplicated epilepsy over the first six months: golden hours for prevention.
To determine changes in the quality of life associated with epilepsy in school-age children with newly diagnosed uncomplicated epilepsy over the first six months after diagnosis to find points relevant for the early prevention of deterioration in quality of life. ⋯ Bearing in mind that stigma and intrapersonal struggles are the major factors affecting the quality of life in children with epilepsy, psychological and social support is highly recommended in the first six months following an epilepsy diagnosis. Since intrapersonal relationships improved over six months, compensating for other deteriorations in the quality of life, children with epilepsy should be encouraged to socialize with their peers and to join organizations and actions that encourage social contact.
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Croatian medical journal · Aug 2024
Is there a relationship between attitudes of general practitioners/family doctors and attitudes of their patients regarding industry-sponsored clinical investigations? A cross-sectional survey in a convenience sample of doctors and patients across nine European countries.
To assess the relationship between the attitudes of general practitioners/family medicine doctors (GP/FD) and of their patients toward industry-sponsored clinical research. ⋯ In the present convenience sample, lay-person attitudes about and willingness to participate in industry-sponsored clinical studies were associated with the attitudes of their GPs/FDs.