Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Jun 2023
[COPD - what has changed in GOLD 2023 and is relevant for clinical practice?].
The annual report of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) is one of the most relevant documents covering prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The 2023 edition contains a number of changes with impact on clinical practice. For assessment and categorization, a new patient group termed E based on individual exacerbation history has been introduced. ⋯ When there is an indication for ICS therapy, a combination of LABA, LAMA and ICS should be used. For these triple combinations, a significant reduction of mortality could be demonstrated in selected patient populations. GOLD proposes a new definition and assessment of COPD exacerbations focussing on objectively assessible parameters and relevant differential diagnoses.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Jun 2023
[Drug therapy of the acute migraine attack and prophylaxis of migraine].
Migraine has a prevalence of 10 % in Germany, making it the most common neurological disorder. Migraine is a prevalent disorder not only for neurologist, it's an everyday topic for general physicians and internal medicine as well. ⋯ Medications include beta-blockers, flunarizine, anticonvulsants, amitriptyline or, in the case of chronic migraine, onabotulinumtoxinA. If these drugs are not effective, are not tolerated or contraindicated, monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or the CGRP receptor can be used.
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The symptom "headache" is an interdisciplinary clinical picture with multiple differential diagnoses. On the one hand, headache can be a symptom of harmless diseases, on the other hand, it can be an expression of a serious condition with a high-risk potential for the patient. Radiological cross-sectional imaging, laboratory investigations or a diagnostic lumbar puncture are absent in the prehospital setting. ⋯ Recognition of potentially dangerous causes is also essential for mission tactical reasons (target hospital). A reliable distinction is not always possible prehospital, so that in case of doubt, a presentation to the hospital should be made. Therapeutically, the focus is on treatment according to the ABCDE scheme and symptomatic therapy.
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Complement is a central part of the immune system. In the human body, complement is responsible for recognition of infectious microbes, for coordinating the adaptive immune response, controlling homeotic reactions and for the non-inflammatory removal of modified self-cells and infectious microbes. Complement is also closely linked to another proteolytic cascade, the coagulation system. ⋯ In addition, clinical guidelines are developed for Diagnosis and Therapy of complement mediated diseases, new biomarkers are evaluated in clinical studies, and diagnostic guidelines are in development. The recent Covid infections showed a clear link of complement in thrombo inflammation, which ultimately results in kidney damage. These aspects have increased further the focus of complement inhibitors in COVID infections.
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Headaches are one of the most frequent causes of consultations in general practice. Of more than 350 known headache tendencies, tension-type headache and migraine are particularly common in general practice. Medication overuse headache (MOH) is also common but rarely diagnosed. ⋯ A detailed neurological examination completes the basic diagnosis. Additional laboratory and instrumental diagnostics follow in cases of atypical headache or clinical suspicion of secondary headache. This article focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of Tension-type Headache, migraine and Medication Overuse Headache.