Der Internist
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Despite ongoing development, mortality in sepsis remains considerable. Various techniques for extracorporeal cytokine removal have been described, but evidence remains conflicting. ⋯ Despite a theoretical rationale, the use of blood purification methods cannot be recommended for sepsis patients due to the lack of evidence of their efficacy. Heterogeneous inflammatory responses in sepsis render conduction of larger trials difficult. Thus, future studies should cautiously identify appropriate sepsis subtypes to be included. Available techniques should be chosen as individualized complementary treatments and not as competing systems.
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Chronic pruritus (CP) is a highly prevalent, difficult-to-treat, and burdensome condition. Today, multiple topical and systemic therapy concepts are available for the treatment of CP. Current guidelines recommend, besides topical treatments, the use of a vast array of mostly off-label systemic drugs with different mechanisms, including antihistamines, gabapentinoids, antidepressants, immunosuppressive drugs, and μ‑opioid receptor antagonists. ⋯ Of note, phosphodiesterase‑4 inhibitors as topical agents and monoclonal antibodies, neurokinin‑1 receptor antagonists, Janus kinase inhibitors, and opioid receptor modulators as systemic agents are in the frontline of innovative CP treatment. Other promising targets include structures of the peripheral and central nervous system which are involved in itch signaling. This article provides an overview of currently available topical and systemic therapies for CP and their indications and discusses novel innovative agents and promising new targets in CP.
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The early detection and treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is of crucial importance as patients with diabetes mellitus represent the largest proportion of patients on dialysis, with the highest morbidity and mortality. Currently, the first clinical sign of incipient DN is microalbuminuria, but its precision is not optimal. Many studies now report that proteins and peptides are new biomarkers in urine that primarily depict the pathophysiology of DN and thus allow for improved diagnosis of DN. ⋯ Clinical urinary proteome analysis shows great benefits and is already an appropriate tool for the early detection of incipient DN.
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The spectrum of endoscopic techniques has been greatly enlarged in recent years. Lesions and also (iatrogenic) complications that required surgical procedures in the past can now often be treated endoscopically. Advances in endoscopic mucosal resection and submucosal dissection also enable the resection of large or laterally spreading polyps in the gastrointestinal tract. ⋯ By the creation of a submucosal tunnel submucosal lesions can be completely excised and the muscle fibers of the lower esophageal sphincter can be endoscopically severed in achalasia patients. Endosonography-guided interventions have developed into the standard procedure for complicated pancreatitis and the use of cholangioscopy offers new therapeutic procedures for the bile and pancreatic ducts. In this continuing medical education article interventional endoscopic techniques are presented and critically evaluated.