Casopis lekaru ceskych最新文献

Bedřich Smetana's illness associated with complete hearing loss has been linked to various diseases in a long-running discussion. Senile dementia, atherosclerosis, progressive paralysis in lues are mentioned, while the ototoxicity of mercury is neglected. Its high concentration in the composer's skeletal remains was demonstrated by the authors of this article immunohistochemically and especially by the neutron activation analysis (NAA) method 23 years ago. The significance of this find has been neglected in connection with the dominant effort to prove the composer's venereal disease, the diagnosis of which, however, has not yet been unequivocally verified. Therefore, the existing results of the osteological examination were revised and the available sample was supplemented with an immunohistochemical examination using an antibody against treponemes and a silvering method with a negative result. On the other hand, an expert literature search focused on mercury ototoxicity confirmed our assumption that chronic intoxication with this metal, which was probably part of ointments applied not only in childhood but also later in adulthood, could contribute to hearing loss. This metal, until recently used in dermatology as a component of ointments, is resorbed and, as has recently been proven, causes various neuropsychic disorders, including disorders and even hearing loss. With this communication, we would like to initiate a new discussion on all aspects of the composer's illness.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common congenital defects of the head. The treatment of clefts is centralized, multidisciplinary, and involves a plastic surgeon, orthodontist, anesthesiologist, clinical speech therapist, and other specialists. While the incidence of cleft lip and cleft palate remains approximately unchanged, the approach to their treatment is evolving. Modern treatment methods increasingly include 3D printing and the associated therapeutic and educational possibilities.

According to surveys conducted over the last 10 years, more than 80 % of our population want to live with their loved ones at the end of life. With the ageing of the population and the success of medicine in the early stages of terminal illness, the trajectory and needs at the end of life are gradually changing. The need for health care support is increasing, and for most patients this means the need for 24/7 availability of health care, in this context in the home environment of the terminally ill patient. The question of how palliative care should be organised in an appropriate, meaningful and effective way, the role of specialised health care teams (mobile specialised palliative care), the role of general practitioners, and if, when and how the medical rescue service should/could/should effectively intervene in care, is becoming increasingly urgent. The article combines the experiences and views of an emergency physician and a doctor specialising in geriatrics and palliative medicine.

Telemedicine, defined as the practice of delivering healthcare services remotely using information and communications technologies, raises a plethora of ethical considerations. As telemedicine evolves, its ethical dimensions play an increasingly pivotal role in balancing the benefits of advanced technologies, ensuring responsible healthcare practices within telemedicine environments, and safeguarding patient rights. Healthcare providers, patients, policymakers, and technology developers involved in telemedicine encounter numerous ethical challenges that need to be addressed. Key ethical topics include prioritizing the protection of patient rights and privacy, which entails ensuring equitable access to remote healthcare services and maintaining the doctor-patient relationship in virtual settings. Additional areas of focus encompass data security concerns and the quality of healthcare delivery, underscoring the importance of upholding ethical standards in the digital realm. A critical examination of these ethical dimensions highlights the necessity of establishing binding ethical guidelines and legal regulations. These measures could assist stakeholders in formulating effective strategies and methodologies to navigate the complex telemedicine landscape, ensuring adherence to the highest ethical standards and promoting patient welfare. A balanced approach to telemedicine ethics should integrate the benefits of telemedicine with proactive measures to address emerging ethical challenges and should be grounded in a well-prepared and respected ethical framework.

The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) leads to the differentiation of the registration of diabetics in individual specialties. Objective of this paper was the evaluation of changes in the representation of expertise providing care for patients with DM (pDM) in the Czech Republic, based on data analysis from the National Register of Paid Health Services (NRHZS) 2010-2021. In the entire pDM group, the number of patients treated by a diabetologist (DIA) increased from 491,490 (57.0 %) to 537,430 (50.4 %), with a general practitioner (GP) from 27,719 (3.2 %) to 181,330 (17.0 %) and by internist (INT) from 172,918 (20.0 %) to 161,291 (15.1 %). In 2021, 57.9 % DIA, 17 % GP, 12.2 % INT were treated from the group treated with antidiabetics (813,873). In 2021, 84,345 were treated with insulin alone (87.2 % DIA), 129,127 were treated with a combination of insulin and non-insulin antidiabetics; 115,604 (91.6 %) in DIA, 322 (0.3 %) in GP and 7,983 (6.3 %) in INT. 603,331 treated only with non-insulin antidiabetic drugs, of which 281,929 (46.7 %) DIA, 137,744 (22.8 %) GP and 85,273 (14.1 %) INT. For other specialties, 98,385 (16.3 %) persons. 185,838 patients without reported DIA/GP/INT control, of which 80,144 without therapy. The increasing prevalence of DM and changes in reimbursement conditions are reflected in the dynamic development of the distribution of diabetes care by individual specialties.

History and main activities of the Society for the Treatment of Tobacco Dependence (SLZT) over its 30 years of activity are aimed at pre/postgraduate education of physicians, nurses and pharmacists, it has been involved in the publication of first smoking cessation recommendations, then in 2005, 2015 and 2022 guidelines for treatment of tobacco dependence, has supported payment codes for medical interventions for tobacco dependence treatment and at least minimal contributions from health insurance companies for tobacco dependence medications, and was at the birth of the smoking cessation helpline. SLZT has published and disseminated dozens of patient leaflets focusing on different clinical areas of the impact of smoking, lobbied for better tobacco control legislation, and is involved in the international smoke-free hospitals project (GNTH - The Global Network for Tobacco Free Healthcare Services). It annually awards the SLZT Prize for the dissemination of tobacco dependence treatment in the field. It collaborates with other clinically oriented professional societies as well as the Working Group on Prevention and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence of the Czech Medical Association of J. E. Purkyně.

In the age of advanced modern medicine, prolonging the lives of patients is becoming easier and easier. Science is even going so far that some authors are beginning to see the need to advocate for the patient's right to die. The authors of the recommended resuscitation procedures themselves state that prolonging the inevitable dying process should be considered a harm (dysthanasia). The issue of not initiating urgent resuscitation is part of not only clinical practice, but also the study of physicians and other health professionals. The various criteria, indications, and contraindications for this action are repeatedly discussed in the course of study and practice, but rarely does this discussion go into significant detail. The teaching is limited to their enumeration or description of some of the more clearly understood ones, which are, for example, certain signs of death and their presence. The terminal stage of an incurable chronic disease is only marginally mentioned as a contraindication to urgent resuscitation, perhaps due to its ethical and legal overlap. The article includes an analysis of the sources of regulation of this issue, focusing mainly on legal and professional sources and their relationship. It also describes the actual process of decision making about the initiation of palliative care, decision making about end-of-life care, including the issue of not initiating urgent resuscitation.

Globally increasing ethnic diversity of patients brings new challenges for physicians regarding the provision of medical care to patients with different ethnic backgrounds. The starting point is the postulate that it is above all a certain culture that shapes the environment in which the patient meets and communicates with medical professionals, and this is reflected in the relationship between doctors and patients and their mutual communication. The article describes the cultural specifics of Roma patients and defines the most important principles of providing culturally sensitive health care to this unique group, which differs from the major population in many respects. The described principles and recommendations can also be used within the framework of health care for migrants and refugees, whose representation among our patients is increasing.

Ortner's syndrome, also known as cardiovocal syndrome, is a rare cause of hoarseness due to compression of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve caused by pathology of cardiovascular structures in the mediastinum. It was first described by Norbert Ortner in 1897, who associated the syndrome with mitral stenosis. It typically presents as paresis of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, which is mechanically compressed in the area of the aortic arch. The case report describes an 81-year-old non-smoker who was examined for two months of hoarseness. Laryngoscopic examination revealed paralysis of the left vocal cord, and CT of the neck and mediastinum with contrast showed ectasia of the ascending aorta and aneurysm of the aortic arch. The patient was consulted by both a cardiothoracic surgeon and an interventional radiologist, but due to his age and the incidental nature of the finding, neither surgical nor endovascular treatment was recommended. The patient was discharged home, where he later passed away surrounded by his family. The prognosis of these patients depends on prompt diagnosis and treatment. Early intervention can improve or restore vocal function. Regular monitoring and interdisciplinary collaboration are also crucial factors for optimal patient care.