Population Pharmacogenomics in Croatia: Evaluating the PGx Allele Frequency and the Impact of Treatment Efficiency.

BACKGROUND: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a significant cause of mortality, and pharmacogenomics (PGx) offers the potential to optimize therapeutic efficacy while minimizing ADRs. However, there is a lack of data on the Croatian population, highlighting the need for investigating the most common alleles, genotypes, and phenotypes to establish national guidelines for drug use. METHODS: A single-center retrospective cross-sectional study was performed to examine the allele, genotype, and phenotype frequencies of drug-metabolizing enzymes, receptors, and other proteins in a random sample of 522 patients from Croatia using a 28-gene PGx panel. RESULTS: Allele frequencies, genotypes, and phenotypes for the investigated genes were determined. No statistically significant differences were found between the Croatian and European populations for most analyzed genes. The most common genotypes observed in the patients resulted in normal metabolism rates. However, some genes showed higher frequencies of altered metabolism rates. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insights into the allele, genotype, and phenotype frequencies of drug-metabolizing enzymes, receptors, and other associated proteins in the Croatian population. The findings contribute to optimizing drug use guidelines, potentially reducing ADRs, and improving therapeutic efficacy. Further research is needed to tailor population-specific interventions based on these findings and their long-term benefits.

Vitamin D supplementation in patients with atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria and contact irritant and allergic dermatitis - possible improvement without risk.

Abstract.

Psychological Stress and Atopic Dermatitis Severity Following the COVID-19 Pandemic and an Earthquake.

BACKGROUND: The course of chronic diseases can be influenced by psychological stress, suggesting a potential influence of current/recent disasters on atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. The aim of the study was to examine effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Zagreb earthquake on the psychological stress level and disease condition of AD patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 150 AD patients (three groups with 50 patients): 1) those not exposed to either the COVID-19 pandemic or the earthquake; 2) those who only experienced the COVID-19 pandemic; and 3) those who experienced both the pandemic and the earthquake. Patients' data from the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), on AD severity (SCORAD), and their answers from our newly designed questionnaire on disease-related behaviors and AD condition during the pandemic and quarantine were examined and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The subjects who experienced both disasters had a greater PSS than those experiencing only the COVID-19 pandemic, especially women, and they also had higher disease severity (SCORAD) than those in the other two groups. Also, 59% of patients reported psychological stress during the pandemic, mostly caused by: the possibility of infection (31%), a changed work life and possible loss of income (23%), general pandemic-related conditions (17%), worry about physical survival (11%) and other (6%). Concerning the earthquake, the PSS significantly positively correlated with the psychological experience of the earthquake and with the intensity of sleep disturbances. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to specifically confirm that the COVID-19 pandemic influenced AD patients' stress levels and that stress from two disasters affected skin disease. Further research and therapeutic measures are needed.