Effectiveness of treatment of arterial hypertension in Central Europe from 1972 to 2022.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. This review examines the literature on hypertension control in the Czech Republic from 1972 to 2022 addressing limited data on its effectiveness. METHODS: A literature review was conducted covering the period from 1972 to 2022, utilizing MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Articles were selected based on title and abstract evaluations, with full-text reviews performed as needed. Thirteen studies involving 44,990 participants were included in this review. RESULTS: Control rates increased from 2.8% (men) and 5.2% (women) in 1985 to 32.3% (men) and 37.4% (women) from 2015 to 2018. Women showed better blood pressure control. Specialised centres achieved higher success (48%) than general practitioners (18.4%). Diabetic patients had a lower percentage (29.1%) of patients meeting their target values (<130/80 mmHg) compared to non-diabetic patients, who had a higher percentage (60.6%) meeting their target values (<140/90 mmHg). CONCLUSION: Hypertension treatment success rate in the Czech Republic improved significantly over the last 50 years and is currently comparable to that of other European countries with similar healthcare resources. However, it still remains suboptimal and lags behind the countries with the most successful treatment outcomes (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 37). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: hypertension, treatment, effectiveness, Czech Republic, blood pressure.

Differentiated thyroid cancer - possible risks of treatment, suppressive therapy and adherence to current recommendations.

Thyroid carcinoma (TC) is rare and represents 1-2 % of all human tumors. The incidence of TC has been increasing worldwide. TC comprises of a heterogeneous group of tumours with variable biological activity. Women are mostly affected. TC can be divided in differentiated TC/DTCs (papillary - PTC, follicular - FTC, from Hürthle cells - HCC), medullary carcinoma - MTC and anaplastic thyroid cancer - ATC. In this article, we focus on possible pitfalls of suppression therapy (cardiovascular, bone and mental), particularly in low-risk patients, and we discuss the data on the adherence to guidelines for suppression therapy in DTC.

How to convince a patient refusing colonoscopy - a qualitative study.

The available literature suggests that the most significant barriers to undergoing colonoscopy in general include “fear of pain and discomfort”, “fear of bowel preparation”, as well as directly unrelated influences such as “lack of support from family and friends”, “busy family and work schedules”, “other health problems” and the current “fear of getting COVID-19 in hospital”. A marital union may play a positive role, previous cancer a negative one. Another important factor is that patients are not used to talking about their barriers spontaneously; a guided conversation is a useful tool. Respondents in this qualitative study addressed these barriers as significant in their answers.

Colorectal cancer in patients with diabetes - epidemiology, pathophysiology and applications for clinical practice.

Diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes in particular) and colorectal carcinoma are relatively frequent diseases in our population. At the same time, these units share some common risk factors, for example obesity, lack of physical activity and hyperinsulinemia. Available data show patients with diabetes have increased risk of colorectal adenoma and carcinoma, increased risk of colorectal carcinoma at a lower age, as well as increased risk of relapse and increased mortality with colorectal cancer. The aim of this article is to point out the relationship between diabetes and colorectal carcinoma, with emphasis on the information important for clinical practice, particularly the screening of colorectal carcinoma and lifestyle recommendations for patients with diabetes. Therefore, we offer an overview of the important available publications which consider this topic.

Case report: Two heterozygous pathogenic variants of CYP24A1: A novel cause of hypercalcemia and nephrocalcinosis in adulthood.

Background and aims: Vitamin D 24-hydroxylase is an enzyme encoded by the CYP24A1 gene, which inhibits the activation of vitamin D to form inactive metabolites. More than 20 currently described pathogenic variants (usually biallelic) of this gene are responsible for idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia manifested typically in childhood (often in newborns) with hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and nephrocalcinosis. However, a few patients (mostly with monoallelic heterozygous pathogenic variants) can develop mild symptoms in adulthood. Case description: We present the case of a 43-year-old male patient with hypertension and heterozygous Leiden mutation, with mural thrombi in the common iliac artery, who was sent by a nephrologist to endocrinological examination due to hypoparathyroidism, progressive hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and CKDG2A1. Complete laboratory and imaging methods (including PET-CT) excluded PTH-related peptide-mediated hypercalcemia and granulomatosis. Finally, the genetic analysis of the CYP24A1 gene revealed the presence of a novel combination of two heterozygous pathogenic variants: CYP24A1: c. 443T>C p.(Leu148Pro) and c.1186C>T p.(Arg396Trp). Conclusion: Differential diagnosis of patients with hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis, and hypercalcemia related to vitamin D exposure should include the CYP24A1 gene mutation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of the novel combination of two heterozygous pathogenic variants of CYP24A1.

Characterization of Individualized Glycemic Excursions during a Standardized Bout of Hypoglycemia-Inducing Exercise and Subsequent Hypoglycemia Treatment-A Pilot Study.

The glycemic response to ingested glucose for the treatment of hypoglycemia following exercise in type 1 diabetes patients has never been studied. Therefore, we aimed to characterize glucose dynamics during a standardized bout of hypoglycemia-inducing exercise and the subsequent hypoglycemia treatment with the oral ingestion of glucose. Ten male patients with type 1 diabetes performed a standardized bout of cycling exercise using an electrically braked ergometer at a target heart rate (THR) of 50% of the individual heart rate reserve, determined using the Karvonen equation. Exercise was terminated when hypoglycemia was reached, followed by immediate hypoglycemia treatment with the oral ingestion of 20 g of glucose. Arterialized blood glucose (ABG) levels were monitored at 5 min intervals during exercise and for 60 min during recovery. During exercise, ABG decreased at a mean rate of 0.11 ± 0.03 mmol/L·min-1 (minimum: 0.07, maximum: 0.17 mmol/L·min-1). During recovery, ABG increased at a mean rate of 0.13 ± 0.05 mmol/L·min-1 (minimum: 0.06, maximum: 0.19 mmol/L·min-1). Moreover, 20 g of glucose maintained recovery from hypoglycemia throughout the 60 min postexercise observation window.

Importance and efficiency of blood pressure control not only in type 2 diabetes patients.

Arterial hypertension is one of the most frequent comorbidities of patients with type 2 diabetes, the rates are approximately three times higher among diabetics than in general population. The presence of both diseases increases the cardiovascular risk of the patients two to three times. Therefore, it is essential to control the blood pressure values vigorously down to 130/80 mmHg as recommended in guidelines of the Czech Hypertension Society. According to EHES Study data, the blood pressure control is not sufficient in Czech diabetic population. The target values are reached in only 29 % of diabetics. A well organized system of care, intensive antihypertensive treatment, self-monitoring of patients or appointment reminder system can be used to improve blood pressure control.

Differential dignosis: „primary“ or secondary diabetes - should Cushing´s syndrome be routinely screened in the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Cushing´s syndrome is a rare disease with the population prevalence about 40 patients per 1 million inhabitants, the number among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is probably higher. The screening of CS among the DM patients showed the prevalence between 0-2.9% in the groups of outpatients and 2-2.9% among the patients admitted to the hospital at the time of randomization. The routine screening of CS among patients with type 2 DM is not recommended at the moment. Nevertheless, the possibility of CS should be taken into the account mainly in patients with hypertension, obesity, microvascular complications, bad level of metabolic control or high insulin doses, especially, if more of these features are present. A hormonal profile of patients with adrenal incidentaloma should be evaluated.

Current view of diagnosis and treatment of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) is an autoimmune disease arising at adulthood. LADA is characterized by a less intensive autoimmune process, slower progression and a mild metabolic decompensation at onset compared with young-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus. The onset of LADA is usually in non-obese patients over 30, without prominent features of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Nevertheless it may be falsely classified as type 2 diabetes, especially, when diagnosed in older age and for the possibility of non-insulin treatment for at least 6 months after diagnosis. LADA is treated early with insulin and combined with metformin in patients with a higher level of insulin resistance. Clinical studies suggested also effectivity of other oral antidiabetics enabling preservation of residual β-cell function, such as particularly incretines.

Glucagon in treatment of hypoglycemia - novelties.

Glucagon is actually used in the treatment of severe hypoglycemia. Due to technological difficulties with stability in solution, glucagon in currently available preparations was contained in a form of powder, which needs to be first dissolved in the water before application. This particular administration of glucagon was associated with a certain delay and several mistakes that decreased real amount of glucagon injected in the body. Currently two new formulas of glucagon appeared on the market - first as a stable liquid solution, second as a powder for nasal administration. This article summarizes currently available information about these preparations.

Continuous glucose monitoring - a new and expanding element in the care of patients with diabetes mellitus during pregnancy.

A new parameter of metabolic control derived from the results of continuous blood glucose monitoring is time in range (TIR). According to current recommendations, in pregnant women with diabetes, this glycemic range is defined by values of 3.5 to 7.8 mmol/L, with the aim of keeping glycemia in this range as much time as possible, and at the same time reducing the time spent below its lower limit (< 3.5 mmol/L)). In pre-gestational type 1 diabetes, it is recommended to reach this TIR above 70% of the total measurement time including up to 4% of simultaneous time spent in hypoglycemia. In gestational (and pre-gestational type 2) diabetes, the recommended % of in-range times are not yet specified.

Metabolic and endocrine diseases - is our approach always rational?

Choosing wisely in metabolic and endocrine diseases shows the inutility of some, in clinical practice often used, ways of management. In diabetology, the routine recommendation for selfmonitoring of type 2 diabetic patients not treated with insulin represents a contraversial issue. On the contrary, there is a consensus on rational targets of glycemic control in elderly frailty patients with limited life expectancy. In endocrinology (thyroid diseases), the iniciative fights against the overuse of some laboratory examinations and ultrasonography. The recommendations on the rational indications of densitometry are discussed. In conclusion, these recommendations within Choosing wisely initiative of different professional associations usualy arise from expert views, supported by relevant clinical studies. They represent a challange to think over rational management of care.

Screening and brief intervention in illicit drug users.

Illicit drug use is quite prevalent in the Czech population with a lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use being 29.7 % in 2018. People who use illicit drugs can use health care services more often and they are thus relevant in early identification of illicit substance use disorders and in providing brief intervention. Primary evaluation of presence of illicit substance use disorders can be done using simple and fast screening questionnaires, such as DAST-10. Screening is followed with time effective brief intervention that includes education, advice and motivation for ceasing drug use. Brief intervention should always precede potential referral to specialised addiction services. Implementation of the evidence-based guidelines into daily practise can have a positive effect on early problem resolution, lead to reduction or termination of substance use and decrease harms on patients health and other areas of his life. Screening of illicit drug use, brief intervention in case of positive screening and eventual referral to a specialist should be implemented into routine medical care.

Risk of cardiovascular complications related to blood glucose concentration: from diabetes to prediabetes.

Diabetes is an established risk factor of cardiovascular disease including the coronary heart disease (CHD) and elevates the risk of cardiovascular death 2 times. Based on current evidence the risk of acquiring the CHD increases accordingly to the level of fasting blood glucose even in the prediabetic range. In the range of 5.6-6.0mmol/l the risk is 1.11, in the range of 6.1-6.9mmol/l the risk is 1.17. In the range of HbA1c of 42-47mmol/l the risk of the CHD is 1.28. The probability of the CHD occurrence therefore does indeed increase in conjunction with the fasting blood glucose levels but the dependence is not linear.

Identification of MODY among patients screened for gestational diabetes: a clinician's guide.

PURPOSE: Screening of gestational diabetes/GDM (although different in different countries) represents a standard procedure allowing to identify women with pregnancy-associated diabetes. Some of the women with GDM (up to 5%) may, however, suffer from previously undiagnosed MODY (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young). Currently, no international or local guidelines focused on the identification of MODY among GDM exist. Thus, the aim of this manuscript is to propose a clear guide for clinicians on how to detect MODY among pregnant women with gestational diabetes. METHODS: Based on the available literature about diagnosis (in general population) of MODY and management of MODY (both, in general population and in pregnant women), we propose a clear clinical guide on how to diagnose and manage MODY in pregnancy. RESULTS: The manuscript suggests a feasible clinical approach how to recognize MODY among patients with GDM and how to manage pregnancy of women with three most common MODY subtypes. CONCLUSION: A correct classification of diabetes is, nonetheless, essential, particularly in case of MODY, as the management of pregnant women with MODY is different and the correct diagnosis of MODY enables individualized treatment with regard to optimal pregnancy outcomes.

Loss of bone mineral density and trabecular bone score in elderly hemodialysis patients: a 2-year follow-up, prospective, single-centre study.

BACKGROUND: Low bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) are established risk factors for fractures even in hemodialysis population and they seem to be significantly lower in comparison with general population. The aim of our study was to describe 2-year loss of BMD and TBS and their predictors in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: From 59 non-selected patients (mean age 67.6 ± 13.1 years) from one dialysis centre, treated with hemodiafiltration (HDF), clinical and laboratory characteristics were obtained and densitometry examinations (with BMD and TBS results) were performed initially and at the end of 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Two-year decrease in BMD of lumbar spine reached 4.1% (ns), of proximal femur 9.1% (p = 0.004), and of femoral neck 1.3% (ns). In the co-educated cohort, BMD decrease in all the sites correlated significantly with age and only the change of BMD of lumbar spine was negatively associated with serum calcium (r = - 0.39; p = 0.04) and dialysis vintage (r = - 0.387; p = 0.062), no other predictors of BMD loss were identified. Some predictors of BMD loss were identified with regard to gender. TBS decrease was 0.05 (3.9%; p = 0.03), and similarly, it was not predicted by any of selected parameters. No differences in BMD changes or TBS were observed between the patients with and without fractures. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HDF, significant BMD and TBS annual losses were observed, and they were associated only with age and (in BMD of lumbar spine) with serum calcium and dialysis vintage.

Hypoglycemia and antihyperglycemic treatment in adult MODY patients - A systematic review of literature.

Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a heterogeneous group of diseases caused by a single mutation in one of the 14 genes involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. GCK, HNF1A, and HNF4A genes are among the most common genes affected. Expression of these genes in the key organs for defense against hypoglycemia and their participation in counter-regulation to hypoglycemia may potentially put individuals with a heterozygous mutation in these genes at increased risk for hypoglycemia. In HNF4A-MODY and HNF1A-MODY patients, normal or even increased insulin sensitivity together with glucose-independent mechanism of action of the first-line therapy - sulphonylurea derivatives - often leads to hypoglycemia, even at the much lower dose used in type 2 diabetes. This review aims to analyze clinical studies and case reports concerning hypoglycemia associated with antihyperglycemic treatment in adult MODY patients.

How can maturity-onset diabetes of the young be identified among more common diabetes subtypes?

Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) represents a diabetes type which has an enormous clinical impact. It significantly alters treatment, refines a patient's prognosis and enables early detection of diabetes in relatives. Nevertheless, when diabetes is manifested the vast majority of MODY patients are not correctly diagnosed, but mostly falsely included among patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, in many cases permanently. The aim of this article is to offer a simple and comprehensible guide for recognizing individuals with MODY hidden among adult patients with another type of long-term diabetes and in women with gestational diabetes.