Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Jul 2021
Review[Update 2021: COVID-19 from the perspective of intensive care].
COVID-19 continues to challenge health-care systems and ICUs around the globe more than one year into the pandemic and in spite of all advances in diagnosis and treatment of the disease caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2. Many open questions remain concerning optimal medical therapy, respiratory management and resource allocation, particuly in times of limited available health care personell. In the following short article, we summarized current knowlegde on management of COVID-19 in the ICU.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Jul 2021
Review[Update 2021: COVID-19 from the perspective of infectious diseases specialty].
From an infectious disease perspective, there have been outstanding findings since January 2020 far beyond the knowledge gained about SARS-CoV, which hopefully will help us to manage future pandemics. Positive highlights include the increased public awareness of infectious disease epidemiology, the increase in immunological knowledge, and the successful use of existing vaccine development platforms and technologies. This article presents a personal selection of interesting developments in recent months.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Jul 2021
Review[Update 2021: Coronavirus pandemic - challenges for geriatrics].
Nobody supposed that after one year of the pandemia, the SARS-CoV-2 Virus and its emerging mutants dominates the press, our lives and the health system as a whole. As for Geriatric Medicine, many things have also changed: The majority of COVID-19 patients are no more the (oldest) old and mortality is less observed in multimorbid persons, as most of them have been vaccinated. (Oldest) old persons are still especially vulnerable to die due to a COVD-19 infection. In longterm care, a significant higher mortality was seen in the former waves, but now, some longterm care facilities have more places that they can fill. ⋯ Ressource allocationin stormy times is now more openly discussed, especially who should be admitted to intensive care units. This has led to more detailed and new guidelines which may help even when the pandemia is over. Here, some thoughts regarding the care of older adults in times of the pandemia are discussed.
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Pain in the musculoskeletal system and in the joints is what comes to mind first when people talk about rheumatic diseases. However, rheumatic diseases are multisystem disorders that can affect every organ system. Therefore, ocular manifestations are common and can occur in almost every rheumatic disease. ⋯ Furthermore, we cover uveitis and associated diseases such as spondyloarthritis or sarcoidosis. Also, we discuss giant cell arteritis as a rheumatological emergency. All in all, we aim to give a synopsis of clinical presentations, important diagnostic measures, and current therapeutic options of the above-mentioned disorders.
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Diabetic retinopathy has seen tremendous progress in diagnostic tools and treatment in recent 15 years. Sight threatening stages like proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) can be treated much more effectively now. The recognition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a driver of proliferation and macular edema has led to the development of VEGF inhibiting drugs such as antibodies (Bevacizumab), fragments of an antibody (Ranibizumab), or a so called VEGF trap (Aflibercept). ⋯ However, screening examinations and early diagnosis of DME and PDR remain crucial. The same accounts for the collaboration of opthalmologists, general practioners, and diabetologists. Good control of diabetes and blood pressure is still important.