Search

Introduction and objective: Hallux valgus is a common deformity (about 23%) in adult population. Deformation of the fist ray and pain causes gait pattern changes and lower life satisfaction. There are many suggestions how to treat bunion. The method of first choice is conservative treatment. One of the most popular option are orthoses of different kinds and functions. The aim of this article is to review the conservative methods of treatment and orthotic management of bunionsand its effectiveness. Materials and methods: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched. The criteria for qualifying the articles for the review were the following keywords: bunion, hallux valgus, orthoses, foot deformity. 21 articles from 2018 to 2023 were analyzed. Description of the state of knowledge: Conservative treatment includes orthoses, shoe modification, analgesics, and exercises. But the most popular are the first two methods. There are many types of orthoses used for hallux valgus, i.e. dynamic and static orthoses, separators, insoles and splints. Orthoses are used to reduce hallux valgus angle (HVA) and pain, and inhibit the progression of deformity in a long term. Studies show that dynamic orthoses have a greater effect on reducing HVA and pain compared to static orthoses. In addition, they are more frequently and willingly chosen by patients. Also, toe separators have a significant impact on minimizing pain and improving toe alignment. Summary: Significant reduction of pain and HVA are observed in both short-term and long-term effects when using dynamic orthoses and toe separators. Dynamic orthoses are also more likely to be chosen by patients for their convenience. However, all types of orthoses are beneficial to patients' well-being. A change of footwear also helps to stop the progression of the deformity and prevents recurrence after surgery.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an inflammatory, cholestatic and progressively fibrotic liver disease devoid of effective medical intervention. PBC is a presumed immune-mediated liver disease of middle-aged women associated with significant morbidity and mortality. People living with PBC are frequently symptomatic, experiencing a quality-of-life burden dominated by fatigue, itch, abdominal pain, and sicca complex. Many drugs have been studied for treatment, including agents with choleretic and immunosuppressive properties. Future PBC licensed therapy will likely include peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) pathway agonists, including specific PPAR-delta agonism (seladelpar), as well as elafibrinor and saroglitazar (both with broader PPAR agonism). Effective therapy reduces the need for transplantation and improves life expectancy.

Hemophilia is a genetically determined bleeding disorder characterized by a tendency for spontaneous bleeding, mainly into the joints, which can lead to arthropathy and significantly reduce the quality of a patient's life. The objective of this paper is to review the published literature on the impact of physical activity on the course of the disease and its role in current therapeutic protocols. Online databases were used to search for literature. The retrieved articles were analyzed. The review mainly included literature published after 2016. In the past, physical exercise was not recommended for people with hemophilia, primarily due to concerns about joint bleeding and the development of hemophilic arthropathy. Currently, regular, moderate physical activity plays a crucial role in the management of hemophilia, helping to strengthen muscles and improve joint stability, which can reduce the risk of bleeding. This shift in perspective is largely due to the availability of effective therapeutic options, mainly involving the replacement clotting factors. However, entirely new hopes for a permanent cure and the maintenance of physical fitness are brought by modern gene therapy treatments. Physical activity is essential for maintaining the health and fitness of individuals with hemophilia, and most exercises are safe due to effective prophylactic treatment. In addition to the benefits for joint health, regular exercise also helps prevent many lifestyle-related diseases.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays an important role in promoting overall health and well-being. Deficiencies of nutrients such as vitamin D are common in patients with autoimmune diseases. The incidence of these conditions is constantly increasing. As a result, patients are exposed to severe symptoms and discomfort in daily functioning. The causes, as well as the symptoms and complications they cause, are diverse, making diagnosis and treatment difficult. Therefore, during the clinical care of patients with AID, possible micronutrient deficiencies should be taken into account and, if observed, they should be treated with controlled supplementation. The aim of this article was to review the literature on the impact of low vitamin D status on the development of autoimmune diseases in the field of endocrinology.

Introduction and Purpose: Stroke is a common complication of one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study is to provide key information about these diseases and to compare the drugs used to prevent stroke. Materials and methods: A literature search was conducted using the medical databases PubMed and Google Scholar. Articles were retrieved in English, employing the key words: “VKA “, „NOAC”, „atrial fibrillation”, „anticoagulants“ and „stroke” appropriate configurations. Conclusions: According to the recommendations and available medical literature, the use of NOACs is usually the most appropriate choice for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. However there are also clinical situations, in which the use of VKAs would be more appropriate.

Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease with complex pathogenesis. Its causes are considered to be genetic, biological, epigenetic, environmental, developmental and behavioral factors leading to excessive caloric intake and, consequently, weight gain. As body weight increases, the risk of developing many chronic diseases increases and, as a result, life expectancy decreases. The basis of obesity treatment is the introduction of changes in behavior and lifestyle modification, based primarily on the adoption of a healthy, balanced diet with a caloric deficit, regular physical activity and limiting sedentary time. If they are ineffective, pharmacological methods are considered and, if necessary, surgical procedures are performed. Nowadays, more and more attention is paid to obesity as a multifactorial disease that must be effectively treated. It is not only an aesthetic problem but also a serious disease that can lead to premature death. Our work focuses on a review of current methods in the treatment of obesity, with particular attention to the latest pharmacological methods.

Incroduction and aim. COPD is a heterogeneous condition characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms. These symptoms can significantly reduce the quality of life for patients. The conventional treatment used so far is not always effective, especially in cases of severe disease and in specific phenotypes, which is why researchers are constantly searching for new drugs. The aim of this paper is to review the published literature on the treatment of COPD, with particular emphasis on the role of biological therapy. Material and methods. Online databases were used for literature research. The review primarily included literature published after 2016. Analysis of the literature. Conventional pharmacological treatment for COPD patients mainly relies on the use of bronchodilators. Recently, researchers have increasingly focused on the potential use of biological therapy in COPD. The greatest hope lies in the broader use of biological therapy in patients with COPD with elevated eosinophil counts. One of the targets is the IL-33/ST2 pathway, which partially directs inflammatory and remodeling processes in COPD. Drugs belonging to this group include tozorakimab, itepekimab, and astegolimab. Another mechanism of action for biological drugs is blocking IL-5; drugs that work through this mechanism include mepolizumab and benralizumab. Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody that, due to promising research results, currently has the greatest potential for expanding indications for the treatment of COPD. Conclusion. Since biological therapy offers hope for better disease control in specific groups of patients, further clinical research is necessary to explore the use of biological treatment. This could improve the quality of life for individuals with COPD, especially those who respond poorly to conventional treatment. Key words. COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, biology treatment

Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem not only in Poland but also in the world. Studies from previous years indicate its pleiotropic effect and indicate the need for supplementation both in individual risk groups and in the general population. The main sources of cholecalciferol are skin synthesis and intestinal absorption. Vitamin D deficiency adversely affects the cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems. It is also associated with gastrointestinal, metabolic, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Through the immune system, it also affects the respiratory system. Prophylactic doses should depend on age, body weight, seasonal insolation and sun exposure, as well as individual factors such as diet and lifestyle. Excessive supply of vitamin D can lead to hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria, although it is not known how high doses cause toxic effects. Monitoring the exponents of calcium and phosphate metabolism is the basic method of preventing vitamin D toxicity.

Arterial hypertension is a serious clinical problem in everyday medical practice. It mainly affects adult patients, but is also increasingly common in children and adolescents. Making a diagnosis is possible thanks to systematic measurements of blood pressure during routine medical visits, while maintaining appropriate rules and referring to adequate biological norms - centile charts. Arterial hypertension in children and adolescents may be primary, but much more often than in the adult population, it occurs secondary to diseases of other organs and systems. Early diagnosis of hypertension in the developmental age gives a chance to implement adequate therapy by treating the underlying disease, lifestyle modification or pharmacological treatment. The aim of effective therapy of hypertension is to prevent the occurrence of early and long-term complications of the disease, as well as to reduce the risk of hypertensive emergencies.