Bratisl Med J
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Medication adherence is crucial for optimal treatment outcomes, yet many patients struggle to follow their prescribed regimens, impacting patients, families, and healthcare systems. Measurement of adherence is vital for effective care planning and intervention. This review explores medication adherence challenges and measurement methods, including therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), medication event monitoring system (MEMS), analysis of adherence in insurance/pharmacy database, pill counts, and self-reports, each with its advantages and limitations. ⋯ In summary, medication adherence is vital but complex. The article covers various adherence measurement methods to promote medication adherence as an important matter (Tab. 5, Fig. 2, Ref. 91). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: medication adherence, adherence barriers, primary non-adherence, medication event monitoring system, pill count, self-report.
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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common forms of cancer significantly affecting the mortality and morbidity rates. The increasing incidence of HCC is a great concern across the globe. The current methods of HCC screening, detection and diagnosis depend mainly on imaging techniques. ⋯ In this paper the main biomarkers for the surveillance, diagnosis and prognosis of HCC are reviewed. The advantages and limitations of these biomarkers are summarized, and the future development directions are proposed (Tab. 1, Ref. 30). Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, biomarkers, AFP, DCP, diagnosis.
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Fractures of thoracolumbar spine in the field of ankylosing diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) can by surgically treated with miniinvasive posterior transpedicular fixation. The exact length of implant is the subject of several studies. In our study, we retrospectively evaluated the treatment of B3 fractures of the ankylosed thoracolumbar spine with use a shorter versus longer implant, always with 8 screws. ⋯ Based on this study, we could conclude that both used constructions are comparable in terms of treatment results. It can be observed that longer fixation is more resistant to kyphotization at 6 and 12 months, but we would need a larger group of patients to confirm this hypothesis. In all incomplete reduced fractures through the surgery, complete reduction after verticalization occurred within 6 months in both groups. The angle of reduction was greater in the group with longer fixation, but the difference was not significant (Tab. 6, Fig. 8, Ref. 31).
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Comparative Study
Neuroendoscopy-assisted evacuation for supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage versus conventional craniotomy: A comparative analysis of efficacy and outcome.
The endoscopic-assisted approach for intracerebral hemorrhage minimizes traumatization of the brain and allows direct access to hematoma. The study aimed to compare the results of the endoscopic-assisted evacuation for supratentorial hemorrhage versus conventional craniotomy. ⋯ The endoscopic-assisted evacuation of supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage is becoming preferred because of its efficacy, a small number of complications, and minor trauma for the patient (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 16). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: intracerebral hemorrhage, treatment, endoscopy.
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Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have long been considered unsuitable candidates for solid organ transplantation due to their poor prognosis. After the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy, the survival of this group of patients improved significantly. HIV positive patients had been successfully transplanted for the last 18 years. ⋯ The procedure was possible due to a change in legislation, as HIV positivity was an absolute contraindication for transplantation in Slovakia until October 2023. The aim of our case report is to draw attention to the possibility of kidney transplantation in an HIV positive patient and to the specific problems related to the preparation of an HIV positive patient for transplantation, post-transplant complications and the possibilities of their management (Fig. 6, Ref. 37). Keywords: kidney transplantation, HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, acute rejection, HAART, drug interaction.