Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
-
Growing insights into the underlying immunopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have led to the advent of targeted therapies, which selectively target pivotal mediators of the inflammatory process. This has enabled us to define and achieve novel therapeutic outcomes to prevent disease-associated complications and halt the progressive course of disease. In addition to already available treatment options, the selective Janus kinase type 1 inhibitor filgotinib and the selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator Ozanimod have recently been approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis patients. ⋯ All these agents can be applied as first-line or also subsequent treatment options and recent head-to-head trials have helped us to position these substances in our therapeutic algorithm. Nevertheless, there is still the currently unmet clinical need do establish predictive markers of response to identify the subgroup of IBD patients, that have a heightened probability of response to each therapy. In the following, we will give an overview of the recently approved or in late-stage clinical development tested substances and discuss their positioning in our therapeutic armamentarium.
-
The prerequisite for monitoring goal-oriented analgesia and screening for the presence of delirium is the use of validated measuring instruments such as the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale as well as an adequate medical and intensive care staffing ratio. ⋯ The goal, if possible, is an awake, oriented, cooperative patient who is free of pain. In this regard, multimodal analgesic treatment is of great importance. The lowest possible sedation should also be aimed for in COVID-19 patients, although deep sedation is recommended for invasively ventilated COVID-19 patients in the prone position.
-
The prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) will double by 2030. PD is no longer regarded as a single disease entity. Monogenetic forms may appear clinically identical to sporadic PD. ⋯ Patients who need levodopa more than 5 times a day and who have severe, disturbing OFF phases (> 2 hours a day) despite optimal non-levodopa-based treatment can consider these options. PD stage and symptom-focused, guideline-based physiotherapy has a positive effect on the course of the disease, everyday performance and quality of life and reduces the risk of falling. Multidisciplinary networks are proving effective in reducing falls and hospital admissions.
-
Amelanotic melanoma (AM) is a subtype of melanoma characterized by a diminished or lacking melanin synthesis. AM, especially ulcerated variants of the plantar region (AMP), are often clinically misdiagnosed, leading to a delay in treatment initiation. ⋯ AMP shows a variety of clinical presentations and particularly elderly patients with many accompanying medical conditions are in danger of incorrect clinical diagnoses. Therefore, we recommend to biopsy any amelanotic plantar ulcer or tumor that does not respond to treatment within 6 weeks to rule out AM.